Two flushes of growth
Fresh spring growth appears light green to yellow-green. The second flush, usually in midsummer, stands out with lemon-yellow tips.
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Picea glauca 'rainbows end'® 19cm
Normal price
€15,00
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Picea glauca ‘Rainbow’s End’®
A second flush: because one wasn’t enough 🤷
- Dense conical form
- Lemon-yellow summer tips
- Slow growth
- Evergreen foliage
Picea glauca ‘Rainbow’s End’® hides a bright surprise within its small green cone. Short needles build a dense, textured crown, then a second flush of growth, usually in summer, colours the tips lemon-yellow. Older green foliage makes the fresh colour stand out even more clearly. Beside dark leaves or stone, its natural symmetry and seasonal transformation create a distinctive focal point that rewards a closer look.
In a simple planting, the small cone can be repeated among low, arching tussocks. As a single plant near seating, it offers a chance to follow the new tips as they brighten and later blend into the green crown.
What makes it special
A dense, dwarf conical selection of Picea glauca, with a particularly luminous second flush of growth in summer.
A dense natural cone
Short branchlets and numerous small needles form a compact cone, related in shape to ‘Conica’.
Green depth behind the yellow
Older needles retain their green tone. The colour emphasis belongs to new growth and changes as it matures.
Why you will love it: it combines the calm of a small evergreen cone with a bright seasonal surprise, without needing flowers to change its appearance.
In the garden & on the balconyPlacement & plant combinationsDense conical crown · cool, bright microclimate · eventual spread 0.5–1m
Bright summer tips
Give it a place where its young tips can be enjoyed closely, in a low planting or a roomy pot with drainage. Allow up to approximately 1m of width for the future crown. In warm regions, choose morning sun and protection from intense afternoon exposure.
Yellow against a dark background
Deep purple leaves and curving, grass-like foliage highlight the luminous tips. Build the composition in cool, well-drained soil, keeping neighbouring foliage outside the dense cone.
- Heuchera ‘Obsidian’ — dark, broad leaves create a quiet background for yellow tips in a position sheltered from intense heat.
- Carex morrowii ‘Ice Dance’ — arching leaves with pale margins add movement at a low level; provide even moisture and room to manage its spread.
- Helleborus niger — white winter flowers in a cooler, lightly shaded position alongside, providing interest before the new conifer growth appears.
Care at a glance
Light
Sun in cool climates. In warm regions, provide morning sun, light afternoon shade and protection from reflected heat.
Watering
Maintain even moisture without waterlogging. Check pots and the period of fresh summer growth particularly carefully.
Climate & hardiness
Very cold hardy, rated RHS H7. Its bright young tips need protection from a hot, drying microclimate.
Safety
An ornamental plant, not for consumption. Wear gloves when handling and keep needles or resin away from the eyes.
Detailed careComplete care guideEight practical points: Light & microclimate, Watering, Soil, Feeding, Pruning, Needle checks, Planting & pots, Dimensions & space.
Light & microclimate
Choose a cool position with plentiful light and gentle air circulation. Avoid drying winds, hot paving and walls that reflect intense heat.
Watering
Water thoroughly when the surface layer begins to dry, checking a little deeper too. Do not let the soil dry completely or keep the roots permanently wet.
Soil
Choose acidic to neutral, well-drained soil that retains moisture. In a pot, use a good-quality growing medium with stable structure and free drainage.
Feeding
Apply a modest spring feed if needed, following the rate on the packaging. Seasonal yellow new growth does not itself indicate nutrient deficiency.
Pruning
Clipping is unnecessary to preserve the cone. Remove dead or broken branchlets and avoid cutting deeply into bare old wood.
Needle checks
Inspect the dense inner crown for dull, stippled needles and mites. A gentle tap over white paper can reveal tiny moving specks.
Planting & pots
Keep the trunk base at the existing soil level. A pot with drainage holes helps moisture management, but gradual repotting is needed as roots fill the available space.
Dimensions & space
Allow approximately 1–1.5m in height and 0.5–1m in spread over around 10–20 years. About 1m tall and 0.6m wide is a useful ten-year reference; slow growth continues with age.
Development over timeA second curtain rises in summerGentle spring tips, a lemon-yellow second flush and a gradual return towards green.
The spring beginning
The first flush produces light green to yellow-green tips, which gradually deepen in colour.
The bright summer moment
The second flush, usually in midsummer, emerges lemon-yellow against the older green foliage.
Maturing growth & winter structure
The new needles mature towards green while the dense evergreen crown retains its conical outline.
Mature habit & dimensions
Established plant
Height 1–1.5 mSpread 0.5–1 m
The bright tips are fresh summer growth on a central leader and short lateral branches.
Form through time
Seasonal or developmental views
Green spring
Yellow summer extension
What to expect after planting: The strength and duration of yellow vary with climate, light and the vigour of new growth. The cultivar does not remain entirely golden yellow throughout the year.
History & originCultivar originBoring, Oregon · Don Howse · Iseli Nursery · 1978
In 1978, Don Howse found a naturally occurring branch sport on the familiar dwarf Picea glauca ‘Conica’ at Iseli Nursery in Boring, Oregon. The dense conical shape remained, but the new growth had acquired a different colour signature.
The selection was named ‘Rainbow’s End’ and distributed by Iseli Nursery. Its second growth flush, with lemon-yellow summer tips, became its most recognisable feature: a small change on a branch gave fresh character to a much-loved little cone.
Greenleaf for Plant NerdsScience nobody asked forBotanical details for anyone curious about what lies behind the plant’s appearance
Tiny woody bases beneath the needles
Each spruce needle sits individually on a small woody projection from the twig. When the needle falls naturally, this base remains, giving the bare twig a rough surface. This tiny feature helps identify the genus Picea even from a section of shoot that has lost its foliage.
Rows of microscopic pores
A Picea glauca needle is approximately four-sided in cross-section. Each surface usually carries two to five rows of stomata, the microscopic pores that allow gas exchange. Even this small leaf surface therefore has organised zones through which it communicates with the surrounding air.
Frequently asked questions
Six answers about yellow colour, the two flushes and care of the dense cone.
01When is the yellow most noticeable?
Usually during the second flush, in midsummer. Spring growth is a gentler light green to yellow-green.
02Is it yellow all year?
No. Young tips provide the bright seasonal contrast and gradually turn greener as they mature. Older foliage forms the green background.
03Does yellow mean it needs feeding?
Not when it appears on healthy young tips within the expected seasonal cycle. If it accompanies drying or occurs irregularly across whole branches, check growing conditions and the needles.
04How large does it grow?
Approximately 1–1.5m tall and 0.5–1m wide over 10–20 years is an indicative range. Growth is slow and continues with age rather than stopping at an absolute measurement.
05Will it keep its cone without clipping?
Yes. The dense conical architecture is a natural cultivar characteristic. Protect the leader from damage and allow light around the crown.
06Is it suitable for a balcony pot?
Yes, on a cool, bright balcony with free drainage and attentive watering. Intense afternoon exposure and reflected heat can damage young tips.
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Every order is prepared with care so your plant arrives upright, secure and safe.
Individual protection
Plants in pots with a capacity of 3 litres or more are placed in individual boxes that hold the pot securely and reduce the risk of tipping over.
Sturdy packaging
We use reinforced cardboard designed to protect against impacts and vibration during transport.