Abies concolor 'Winter Gold'

Registered by the Horstmann nursery in Germany in 1959, this broom found in a batch of Abies concolor seedings will really light up a dark corner in a garden, drawing in the visitor. The new growth pushes bright chartreuse-green, contrasting with the previous season's butter yellow needles. As summer progresses, the needles mature to a dark green until the colder winter temperatures caused the butter yellow color to be dominate. The habit can be either upright or spreading depending on pruning, and the growth rate is 4 to 6 inches per year. Considered 'dwarf' by the American Conifer Society, this unusual tree will grow in almost all zones, at least to 3, which can get to -45 deg F.