Plant, Tree & Shrub Library

Description:

Incredible seasonal color intrest is unique in this cultivar; new growth in spring is light green but in mid summer the second flush displays extraordinary bright yellow new growth that has a dramatic contrast against dark green older foliage

Ornamental Features

Rainbow's End Spruce is a dwarf conifer which is primarily valued in the landscape or garden for its distinctively pyramidal habit of growth. It has attractive dark green foliage with hints of yellow which emerges yellow in spring. The needles are highly ornamental and remain dark green throughout the winter.

Landscape Attributes

Rainbow's End Spruce is a dense multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with a distinctive and refined pyramidal form. It lends an extremely fine and delicate texture to the landscape composition which can make it a great accent feature on this basis alone.

This is a relatively low maintenance shrub. When pruning is necessary, it is recommended to only trim back the new growth of the current season, other than to remove any dieback. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Rainbow's End Spruce is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Mass Planting
• General Garden Use

Planting & Growing

Rainbow's End Spruce will grow to be about 6 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 3 feet. It tends to fill out right to the ground and therefore doesn't necessarily require facer plants in front, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 50 years or more.

This shrub does best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution, and will benefit from being planted in a relatively sheltered location. This is a selection of a native North American species.