Abies pinsapo 'Aurea,' commonly known as The Golden Spanish fir, is a golden variant that retains the symmetrical growth habit and stiff-needled branches of the species. Abies pinsapo 'Aurea' has bright gold new growth that turns green by winter in some parts of the country. In more moderate parts of the world the golden color is present year-round. The gold is most pronounced on the upper surfaces of the new growth. Burning can be a problem until the plant is established, and it is not very tolerant of subzero winter temperatures. Some of the gold becomes white-gold and is retained well into the winter. (Fincham, Robert L.)
Due to the lack of chlorophyll in the foliage, 'Aurea' grows slightly slower than the species. Typical rate of growth in most locations is 4 to 6 inches (10 - 15 cm) annually, producing a small dense tree 5 feet (1.5 m) tall and 4 feet wide (1.2 m) after 10 years in the landscape.
This cultivar originated as a seedling introduced in 1868 by Adrien Sénéclauze Nursery of Bourg-Argental, France.
