Abies pinsapo 'Aurea'

RHS Plant Profile
golden Spanish fir

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golden Spanish fir RHS
golden Spanish fir RHS

Other common names

Spanish fir 'Aurea'

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Conifers
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A medium-sized coniferous shrub, or small tree, reaching a maximum height of 8m. The rigid, tapered leaves radiate from all sides of the branchlets and the new foliage emerges a golden-yellow colour before maturing to green

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

4-8 metres

Max Spread

1.5-2.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
20–50 years
Max Spread
1.5-2.5 metres
Max Height
4-8 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
West–facing or South–facing or North–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H6

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Pinaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy
Genus
Abies are evergreen conifers, often very tall, with whorled branches bearing flattened, linear leaves, often whitish beneath, and on the upper branches, large cones which break up whilst attached to the tree
Name Status
Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moist but well-drained slightly acidic soil. Partial shade will prevent the sun bleaching colour from the leaves. See conifer cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by grafting

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Architectural
  • Gravel garden
  • Rock garden
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Low Maintenance

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to adelgids and aphids

Diseases

Generally disease-free, but may be susceptible to honey fungus