Pinus contorta 'Taylor's Sunburst' is a slow growing lodgepole pine. It will eventually form a standard upright shape, maybe 8'x4' in 10-15 years. In Spring it has an exceptionally bright flush of gold/yellow from it's new needles which cools to a nice deep green in 4-8 weeks from candle push. I imagine it would prefer full sun. I would guess it would be a bit "leggier" and more open in too much shade. This is a relatively rare pine and because of the relatively slow growth rate, commands a premium price. I've seen 3' specimens in pots at nurseries in the $200-250 range.

Picea pungens 'Fat Albert' is a stocky colorado blue spruce of relatively moderate growth rate. It might not have as strong colors in part shade and also may tend to grow a bit more open, but I think it's a better choice for some shade then 'Taylor's Sunburst'.

-Will

Here's a 'Fat Albert' growing in a shady spot.

{{gwi:672474}}

all conifers have an annual growth rate for an established plant ... and that is in full sun ... and they will grow at that rate for 100 years ... labels refer to height at 10 years...

if you reduce the sun.. you reduce the growth rate.. totally unpredictable by anyone.. except your observation for the next century ...

nearly none will die in shade ... but for a cave ...

i have two pungens in the hosta beds .. in the deepest shade have.. and they are just fine... i THINK the growth rate should be about 8 inches.. they get about 3 inches.. and they are sparser in the interior.. but remain bluer all year.. since the wax layer that makes them blue doesnt get hot in the sun ... and wear off ...

most conifers with yellow tissue need some protection from hot afternoon sun [and i am not going to address winter problems] ... because the yellow tissue is not as vigorous as blue or green.. but better than white ....

but shade will make the yellow of TS last longer .. but since the tree totally greens up.. it probably doesnt matter on this one as much ...[i bought and killed 3 of these.. so it isnt one of the easy ones] ....

i do not consider FA to be a small pungens... they get huge.. describe your idea of small ... and we can help you choose better... check p. pung. st marys BROOM .. for what i call small ... and there are many other blue conifers available .. but mail order

ken

I didn't realize Pinus contorta 'Taylor's Sunburst' was so rare. Going to scratch that one from the list. These plants are going into a poorer soil appliation.

sluice, how much sun does the FA get? Is it just dappled like that all day?

ken, I have no worries about reduced vigor. I always thought spruces and pines tend to favor full sun. I'm looking at a 10 x 10 plant. Remember things grow very slowly in my area. A 2' Colorado Blue Spruce can take up to 10 years to reach 15' around here.