Picea orientalis 'Golden Start' is a dwarf, upright, pyramidal selection of Caucasian spruce with dense uniform branching and foliage that flushes bright gold in the spring, later darkening to species typical dark green, but retaining a bit of golden frosting on the upper parts of the branches that are most exposed to the sun. Despite the golden highlights, this conifer does not burn in full sun. In fact, a fully exposed location brings out its best color.
After 10 years of growth, a mature specimen will measure 2.5 to 3 feet (75 - 90 cm) tall and two thirds as wide, an annual growth rate of 2 to 3 inches (5 - 10 cm).
This cultivar originated as a seedling selected in the late 1970s by Kurt Wittboldt-Müsller nursery, Verden-Eitz, Germany. It was provisionally named 'Wittboldt' and will occasionally be seen listed as 'Wittboldt Compact.'
