Abies concolor 'Wintergold' is a seasonally variable, dwarf, upright selection of white fir. In early spring, new growth pushes bright chartreuse-green which contrasts wildly with the previous season's butter-yellow needles. Later, the new growth matures to dark green, then finally changes back to all butter-yellow with the onset of colder weather in the fall. The needles are of species-typical size, long and lance-shaped. Branching is horizontal in nature. With proper pruning, the tree can be trained to be either spreading or upright. Typical rate of growth in most areas is 4 to 6 inches (10 - 15 cm) per year, resulting in an irregular upright conifer 40 inches (100 cm) tall and 28 inches (70 cm) wide after 10 years in the landscape.
[ Bob Fincham, in Coenosium Gardens Catalog, describes ] a small tree with yellow-green foliage that turns bright gold in winter.
Güsnther Horstmann of Schneverdingen, Germany, first introduced 'Wintergold' in 1959 as a unique selection from a batch of white fir seedlings. The gallery photos above quite clearly demonstrate the seasonal variability of this very desirable cultivar. This cultivar is best used for "lighting up" a dark corner of the garden in the winter, acting as a beacon which will draw in the observer.
