The Weeping Golden Norway Spruce, or Picea abies 'Gold Drift', is a striking evergreen conifer with a pendulous, cascading habit that can be trained as a weeping upright tree or left to spread as a ground cover. New growth emerges bright lime green in early spring before transitioning to a vibrant golden yellow in late spring and summer when exposed to full sun. By winter, the color softens to a more subdued gold-green tone. When staked, this fast-growing conifer can reach 12 to 15 feet tall and 2 feet wide after 10 years, making it a standout specimen or focal point in the landscape.
Discovered in 1990 by Bob Fincham as a golden sport on Picea abies 'Reflexa', Gold Drift is cold hardy down to USDA Zone 3 and performs best in cooler climates. It thrives in full sun to partial shade, though golden color is most vibrant with maximum sun exposure. Its weeping branches and year-round evergreen foliage make it an excellent choice for rock gardens, borders, and mixed conifer plantings. This low-maintenance plant is also deer resistant and tolerant of a range of soil types.
Weeping Golden Norway Spruce Care
Plant your Weeping Golden Norway Spruce in full sun to partial shade in moist, slightly acidic, well-draining soil. It adapts to a range of soil types but does not tolerate waterlogged conditions. If you want an upright weeping form, stake the central leader when the plant is young and train it to the desired height before allowing it to cascade. Young plants can experience some foliage burn in hot, bright locations, but this tendency decreases as the plant matures and becomes established.
Water your Gold Drift thoroughly at planting and then regularly throughout the first year until established. Once established, it becomes somewhat drought tolerant and requires less frequent irrigation. If grown in a container, water more often since potted soil dries out faster than garden soil. Feed once a year in spring with a slow-release, balanced fertilizer to support steady growth. Pruning needs are minimal; if trimming is necessary, limit cuts to the current season's new growth or to remove any dead or damaged branches.
Weeping Golden Norway Spruce Spacing
Space Weeping Golden Norway Spruce plants about 6 to 8 feet apart to allow the canopy room to develop fully. When staked as an upright weeper, its narrow form makes it suitable for tighter spots in the landscape, such as beside entries, along borders, or as a vertical accent near patios and decks. Keep in mind that this plant performs best in cooler climates and may struggle in the heat and humidity of the southeastern United States. Plant in a location with good air circulation and avoid positioning it where reflected heat from walls or pavement could stress young plants.
Weeping Golden Norway Spruce Information
| USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 - 8 |
| Plant Type: Evergreen Shrub / Tree |
| Light Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Shade (At Least 4 Hours Of Direct Sunlight) |
| Mature Height: 12 - 15 Feet (staked); lower as ground cover |
| Mature Spread: 2 - 7 Feet |
| Spacing: 6 - 8 Feet |
| Habit: Weeping, Cascading |
| Flower Color(s): None |
| Flower Description: |
| Bloom Period: |
| Foliage Type: Evergreen |
| Foliage Color(s): Yellow, Gold, Green |
| Foliage Description: Lime Green in Spring, Vibrant Yellow-Gold in Summer, Subdued Gold-Green in Winter |
| Seasonal Interest: 4 Season Interest |
| Watering: Average |
| Resists: Deer |
| Tolerates: Drought (once established) |
| Attracts: Birds |
| Container Role: Thriller |
| Uses: Borders, Containers, Ground Cover, Rock Gardens, Specimen or Focal Point |
| Features: Foliage Interest, Low Maintenance |
| Brand: |
| Common Name: Weeping Golden Norway Spruce |
| Other Name(s): Gold Drift Norway Spruce, Dwarf Weeping Golden Norway Spruce |
| Scientific Name: Picea abies 'Gold Drift' |
- SKU:
- 1231029506-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