Gold Drift Weeping Norway Spruce

Picea abies ‘Gold Drift‘

Plant Details

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 3a-7b (East – Hot Climates); 3a-8b (West – Cool Climates) Find Your Zone

Plant Type: Coniferous Evergreen Tree

Height at Maturity: 10-12 in 10 years; 15’+ over time

Width at Maturity: 2-3′ in 10 years if trained to grow upright

Spacing: Best as specimen, small grouping, or two to frame an entryway

Growth Habit / Form: Upright, Cascading, Weeping, can be trained to grow in a spreading mound

Growth Rate: Moderate to Fast; 10 to 12″ per year

Foliage Color: Yellow, Chartreuse, Green

Fragrant Foliage: Yes

Sun Needs: Full Sun or Mostly Sun in cool climates, Afternoon Filtered Sun is appreciated in the hot southern zones

Water Needs: Average

Soil Type: Clay (amend heavy clay to ensure good drainage), Loam, Sand (amend quick draining soil for moisture retention), Silt

Soil Drainage: Moist to Damp But Well Drained

Soil pH: 6.0 – 7.5

Maintenance / Care: Low

Attracts: Visual Attention

Resistances: Cold (-30F), Deer, Disease, Drought (moderate when established), Insect

Description

A unique weeping selection of Norway Spruce like no other, Picea abies ‘Gold Drift’ is a golden version with a strict weeping habit and unusually robust grower adding 12 inches or more to its height per year. Single staking when young will train the tree to grow skywards to around 12 to 15 feet tall in 10 years and merely 2 feet wide. An exceptionally magnificent tree excellent in rock or conifer gardens, home foundation plantings, or anywhere in the landscape you want an outstanding focal point….or should we say exclamation point!

Note: Gold Drift Norway Spruce will grow in full sun to part shade. Foliage color will be more intense with full sun. That said, the foliage might discolor some in full sun when young but that decreases after the tree has developed a good root system. Though it will grow in zone 8 locations, we suggest some filtered sun or shade during the mid afternoon hours. Morning sun and evening sun are fine. For best overall performance and color, 6 hours or more of direct sunlight per day is suggested.

This cultivar originated as a golden sport on a specimen of Picea abies ‘Inversa’ found by Bob Fincham in 1990 at Coenosium Gardens, his personal arboretum and former nursery in Eatonville, Washington. ‘Gold Drift’ was selected for inclusion into the ACS Collectors’ Conifer of the Year Program.

Landscape & Garden Uses

growing 15 or more feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide, the Gold Drift Norway Spruce is ideal for use as a focal point specimen to draw attention to an area of the landscape. A fine accent in home foundation plantings where it can be useful to frame corners of tall homes or other buildings. Excellent for decorating as an outdoor Christmas tree. A fine addition to conifer gardens, yellow theme gardens, rock gardens and Asian theme gardens.

Suggested Spacing: Best as specimen, in small, spaced grouping, or use two to frame an entryway

Growing Preferences

Gold Drift Norway Spruce is easy to grow in a damp to moist but well-drained soil of average fertility. As with so many other conifers, constantly soggy or wet soils can be problematic; leading to root rot or other harmful plant diseases. So make sure to plant this one in well-drained soil, whether in the ground or in pots. It grows well in full sun, however the foliage of young trees may discolor some until the tree has developed a good root system. It hot climates some filtered sun or shade during the hot midafternoon hours will be appreciated. Morning to early afternoon and evening sun is okay. For best overall performance and color, 6 hours or more of direct sunlight per day is suggested. Young trees may require staking for skyward growth.

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