Tom Thumb Gold

This cultivar originated as a witch’s broom discovered by Joel W. Spingarn , of Baldwin, New York, on a garden specimen of Picea orientalis ‘Skylands’ in Nyack, New York in the 1980s. This plant is often seen in the nursery trade with the name, ‘Tom Thumb,’ an abbreviated commericial name initiated by the nursery industry apparently to save time and money on plant tags.

This bright lime green miniature conifer will grow to be only 4 inches tall and 10 inches wide in 10 years.  The new growth is fabulous, with little round bright green buds opening to bright gold-green new foliage.  It is suggested to give enough sun (morning sun) to keep the gold color, but not too much that will cause burning. A rock garden prize winner!

We also have a batch of these grafted up on 24 inch standards. This is very popular in Europe, especially in small gardens, putting the plant up for a closer view to the observer. These are small, but adorable.