The Variegated Black Hills Spruce, or Picea mariana 'Aureovariegata', is a slow-growing dwarf evergreen conifer with a dense, upright pyramidal habit. Its short needles display a striking two-tone effect, with blue-green foliage tipped in golden-yellow on new growth, creating year-round visual interest. This rare cultivar typically reaches 10 to 15 feet tall and 5 to 8 feet wide at maturity. Its compact size and ornamental color make it an excellent specimen tree, focal point, or addition to a rock garden.
The Variegated Black Hills Spruce is exceptionally cold hardy, tolerating temperatures well into USDA Zone 3. It is resistant to deer, rabbits, and verticillium wilt, and adapts well to a range of soil conditions including moist or poorly drained sites. The golden variegation is most vivid in full sun and tends to fade in shaded conditions. This low-maintenance conifer provides four-season interest and works well as a container plant or in smaller landscape settings.
Variegated Black Hills Spruce Care
Plant your Variegated Black Hills Spruce in full sun for the best foliage color, though it will tolerate light shade. It adapts to most soil types including clay, loam, and sandy soils, but prefers moist, acidic, and well-drained conditions. Water your tree regularly during the first two growing seasons to help it establish a strong root system. Once established, water during extended dry periods; this spruce tolerates occasional dry spells but performs best with consistent moisture. Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring before new growth emerges to support healthy development.
This cultivar requires very little pruning and is largely self-maintaining in the landscape. Remove any dead, damaged, or crossing branches as needed to keep the tree tidy. If shaping is desired, prune lightly in late spring after new growth has hardened off. Avoid heavy pruning, as spruces do not readily regenerate from old wood. Applying a layer of mulch around the base of the tree will help retain soil moisture and regulate root temperature.
Variegated Black Hills Spruce Spacing
Space Variegated Black Hills Spruce trees 5 to 8 feet apart to allow for their mature spread. This compact conifer works well in smaller yards, mixed borders, rock gardens, and foundation plantings where space is limited. Plant it away from overhead utility lines and give it enough clearance from structures so the natural pyramidal form can develop without obstruction. It can also be grown in a large container on a patio or deck, provided the pot has adequate drainage.
Variegated Black Hills Spruce Information
| USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 - 8 |
| Plant Type: Trees |
| Light Exposure: Full Sun (At Least 6 Hours Of Direct Sunlight) |
| Mature Height: 10 - 15 Feet |
| Mature Spread: 5 - 8 Feet |
| Spacing: 5 - 8 Feet |
| Habit: Upright, Pyramidal |
| Flower Color(s): None |
| Flower Description: |
| Bloom Period: |
| Foliage Type: Evergreen |
| Foliage Color(s): Blue, Green, Yellow |
| Foliage Description: Blue-Green Needles with Golden-Yellow Tips |
| Seasonal Interest: 4 Season Interest |
| Watering: Average |
| Resists: Deer, Rabbits |
| Tolerates: Wind, Wet Soils |
| Attracts: Birds |
| Container Role: Thriller |
| Uses: Borders, Containers, Rock Gardens, Specimen or Focal Point |
| Features: Foliage Interest, Low Maintenance, Year-Round Interest |
| Brand: |
| Common Name: Variegated Black Hills Spruce |
| Other Name(s): Variegated Black Spruce |
| Scientific Name: Picea mariana 'Aureovariegata' |
- SKU:
- 1231029513-pc
Container Sizes
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on; type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
4.5" Pot
Also Known As:
4.5" Container
Plant Age:
~ 6 months
Plant Size:
~ 3"-6"
Pot Size:
~ 4.5"H x 3.75"W
Volume:
1.42 quarts
Quart Pot
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
2.5 Quart
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
#1 Pot
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
#2 Pot
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
#3 Pot
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
For more detailed information, please click here.
Plant Addicts Guarantee (Included On All Plant Orders)
Plant Addicts always guarantees your plant(s) will arrive happy & healthy. However, plant(s) are being shipped through the mail & sometimes accidents happen. If the plant is dead, has dried out roots or the incorrect item was shipped, just notify Plant Addicts within 3 days upon delivery. We may ask for pictures but will try to make it as easy as possible for you. Please note, plant(s) with damaged branches or wilted leaves will not qualify for this guarantee. Plants are very resilient and will rebound quickly when cared for correctly.
For more information on how to care for your new plants, please click on our guide below.
Guide: How to Care for Your New Plant(s)
Plant Addicts Warranty - 1 Year (Extra Purchase Required)
We encourage all plant lovers to purchase the Plant Addicts Warranty, whether you're a new gardener or an expert. There are many variables outside of anyone's control that can cause a plant to die. Hungry animals, drought, poor soil conditions, over watering, diseases & pests are all good examples of what can cause plants to die. The Plant Addicts Warranty is a 1 year warranty protecting you from all of the unknowns and will replace your plant if something were to happen to it.
The warranty is purchased on a per plant basis and must be purchased at the same time as the plant(s). We will cover 100% of the price of the plant, but the warranty does not cover shipping costs. SImply let us know if your plant has died within 1 year of receiving it and we will get you a new one shipped out as soon as possible (depending on the time of the year and availability). We may ask for photos for documentation purposes, but we try to make the process as easy as possible.
For more information, please click on our page below.
Plant Shipping
Below are some factors we consider when determining when to ship the plants depending on the timing of the order.
Winter to Early Spring
We ship only when it's warm enough to plant in your growing zone.
Sometimes plants aren't completely ready to sell and ship in early spring. We will wait until the plants are ready before shipping so you don't get a subpar product.
For Southern plants we will be able to ship much earlier than plants coming from our northern nursery.
Summer
If there is extreme heat we may delay shipping for a week or several weeks.
We review what areas the plants are traveling through as well as your location.
Fall into Winter
We’ll ship plants out all the way up to the end of the fall planting season!
Winter
Get your order in early to reserve your plants for Spring planting!
Once your plant is shipped you’ll receive an automated email with tracking information.
Click here for more detailed shipping information.
Planter Shipping
Standard Colors: 2-3 business days
Special Order Colors: 8 weeks - this is due to the planter being custom made with the color(s) of your choice
Please Note: On special orders there can not be any cancellations