Spruce (Picea)belongs to a genus with over 40 species found throughout the northern hemisphere. Undemanding and frost-resistant spruce trees thrive in temperate regions. The variety of forms and varieties make these evergreen trees very popular.Dwarf varieties of sprucelook great on flower beds and in pots, and those of medium height are perfect as hedges and solitaire. Meetspecies and varieties of sprucethat work best in gardens.
Norway spruce - Picea abies
Fig. pixabay.com
Norway spruce
Norway spruce(Picea abies) - the species in the wild grows large, up to 50 m high. The tree has a conical shape, the ends of the branches are slightly drooping, and the needles are lush green in winter and slightly lighter in summer. The tiny flowers develop pendulous, long brown cylindrical cones.
Norway Spruce grows well in full sun , but tolerates partial shade as well. A species with quite high requirements, preferring loose, fresh and moist soils. It does not tolerate drought and is very sensitive to environmental pollution, diseases and pests. Feels best in conditions of high air humidity. It is a frost-resistant species and winters without any cover in our climate.Garden varieties of Norway sprucebelong to the plant hardiness zone 4-5.
The Norway spruce has many dwarf and medium-sized varieties that work well in gardens.
Norway spruce 'Nidiformis'- called the bird's nest is a unique variety of Norway spruce, which takes a spherical form with a characteristic indentation, grows up to 50 cm in height and 90 cm in diameter. Suitable for growing in a container.
Norway spruce 'Nidiformis'
Fig. depositphotos.com
Norway spruce 'Little Gem'- after 10 years it is only 0.3-0.5 m in diameter and 30 cm in height. The dense, spherical, intensely green crown is slightly flattened.
Norway spruce 'Little Gem'
Fig. depositphotos.com
Norway spruce 'Pusch'- miniature spruce variety of irregular, dense, rounded or wide conical shape with hanging side branches. Young red cones appear in large numbers at the ends of the shoots every year.The plant grows slowly and reaches only 0.3 m in height after 10 years. It grows well in sun and light shade, but does not tolerate dry and polluted air.
Norway spruce 'Pusch'
Fig. depositphotos.com
Norway spruce 'Will's Zwerg'- forms an irregular, conical, dense crown and grows up to 1.50 m in height. Interesting because of the delicate green shade of young needles, which contrasts favorably with the dark green of older shoots.
Norway spruce 'Inversa'- this is a creeping variety of spruce, which can reach up to 5 m in height when carried by a stake. Flexible shoots are covered with short and green needles. It looks great as a weeping tree, but also in the form of cascades, mounds or green carpets.
Norway spruce 'Inversa'
Fig. © PoradnikOgrodniczy.pl
Norway spruce 'Rydal'- is an unusual variety with red spring increments that turn green only after 3-4 weeks. It has a conical, quite irregular crown and grows up to 3-4 m in height.
Norway spruce 'Cupressina'- has a columnar, narrow crown with a sharp tip. It grows rapidly, reaching 10-20 m in height and 1.5 in diameter after 10 years. Erect, stiff shoots are covered with dark green needles that turn blue in winter.
Norway spruce 'Rothenhaus'- is a slowly growing variety growing up to 6-10 m high and 2.5-3 m wide. The soaring, slender silhouette of the spruce tree looks picturesque as a solitaire.
Norway spruce 'Rothenhaus'
Fig. © PoradnikOgrodniczy.pl
Serbian spruce
Serbian spruce (Picea omorika)- one of the most beautiful species of spruce.In garden conditions, a fast-growing tree reaches a height of up to 20 meters. It has a soaring, conical crown and shiny needles, dark green on the top and blue-white on the underside with two white stripes. It produces small, purple cones gathered in clusters. Serbian spruce tolerates drought and shady locations as well as urban pollution. It grows best in slightly loamy, moderately moist, alkaline soils. It is fully frost-resistant, belongs to the plant frost-resistance zone 5A.
Serbian spruce - Picea omorika
Fig. depositphotos.com
Serbian spruce 'Nana'- is a dwarf variety that produces the main shoot over time and takes the form of a pyramid up to 1.5 m high and 1 m wide. Shoots covered with dark green needles with two white stripes running on the bottom are arranged in such a way that the reverse side is visible.
Serbian spruce 'Karel'- takes the form of a flattened ball growing up to 1 m in height. Young shoots have a lush green color, which makes the Serbian spruce 'Karel' very attractive.
Serbian spruce 'Karel'
Fig. depositphotos.com
Serbian spruce 'Pendula'- is a group of varieties with slender and narrow crowns reaching up to 10 m in height. Side branches fall almost along the trunk. The variety 'Pendula Bruns' looks attractive, with its dangling twigs creating a spectacular cascade. The tree maintains a narrow habit. It grows best in full sun.
Serbian spruce 'Pendula'
Fig. Daderot, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
Serbian spruce 'Cinderella'- is a dwarf, slow-growing variety, the crown of which takes the shape of a wide cone. It grows up to 1 m in height and a similar diameter. Takes cut well. Prefers a sunny position.
Serbian spruce 'Aurea'- distinguished by the golden color of young shoots, nicely contrasting with the dark green of the older needles. It grows slowly and eventually reaches 20 m in height and 6 m in width.
Blue Spruce, silver
Blue spruce, also known as silver spruce (Picea pungens)- owes its unusual color to a wax coating on the needles, which gives them an unusual shade. This spruce comes from North America, it is a conical tree that grows up to 30 m in height. It likes sunny positions, tolerates short-term droughts, but is susceptible to pests, especially in hot and dry months. Blue spruce is fully frost-resistant - plant frost-resistant zone 4.
Dwarf variety of silver spruce
Fig. depositphotos.com
Blue-gray spruce spruce 'Globosa'- is the most popular, dwarf variety that forms a dense shrub, quite irregular in shape, with stiff, rather prickly spruce-set needles of blue-gray color. Requires full sun, has low soil and water requirements, and tolerates air pollution well.
Blue Spruce 'Maigold'- this is a dwarf variety with an irregular crown, growing up to 1.5 m in height. Young growths have a golden color that fades after a few weeks. Very low soil and water requirements.
Blue Spruce 'Pendula'- trees of this variety differ greatly, they take many forms, all of them show a tendency to creep on the ground. They look most beautiful as the main element of the lawn or raised flowerbed.
Dwarf variety of silver spruce grafted on the trunk
Fig. PoradnikOgrodniczy.pl
Blue spruce 'Lucky stricke'- this variety attracts attention with protruding, large cones, initially intensely red. Large cones turn brown over time, they stay on the tree for a long time. The 'Lucky stricke' variety grows slowly to reach 2-3 m in height after 20 years.
Blue Spruce 'Fat Albert'- grows up to 15 m in height and is distinguished by a nice, regular conical shape and a dense crown with thick, short, silver-blue needles. It tolerates the Polish climate very well, is resistant to frost and drought.
Blue Spruce 'Białobok'- grows up to 5 m high and takes the shape of a wide cone with short shoots and long, very prickly needles with a silver-blue color. Decorative young shoots are intensely creamy yellow, and the contrasting shoot tips fade to a bluish color after a few weeks. Requires full sun, has low soil and water requirements.
Blue Spruce 'Iseli Fastigati'- this variety is perfect for hedges. It grows up to 10 m in height and has a slightly less blue shade of needles than other spruce trees.
Blue Spruce 'Aurea'- it is distinguished by golden shoots and needles. This slow-growing tree with a dense conical shape reaches only 3 m in height after 10 years. Ultimately, it grows up to 12 m.
Blue Spruce 'Kaibab'- is a tall tree with a conical, regular crown and brown, scaly bark. It grows up to 25 m in height. Very resistant and sun-loving variety.
Blue spruce 'Hoopsi'Fig. GuidebookOgrodniczy.pl
White spruce
White Spruce (Picea glauca) , also known as Canadian, is an evergreen tree that grows up to 35 m tall. It is characterized by a narrow, pyramidal crown and decorative, scaly bark. Blue-green needles will give off a strong, pleasant smell. The cylindrical brown cones are not very large and pendulous. This species is easy to grow and resistant. It can grow in both acidic and alkaline soils, which are quite fertile and permeable. Prefers sunny places. It is frost-resistant (plant frost resistance zone 5A), but it is better to protect young specimens for the winter.
White spruce 'Conica'
Fig. PoradnikOgrodniczy.pl
White spruce 'Conica'- is one of the most popular varieties of spruce with a conical, regular and dense habit, growing up to 3.5 meters in height and 1.5 meters in diameter.The delicate twigs are covered with tiny green needles. The variety 'Conica' looks good both as a solitaire and planted in a group. Can be grown in containers.
White spruce 'Conica Maigold'- grows up to 1 m in height and forms regular cones. The short, thin needles are intensely green in color, and the young growths are bright, golden in color.
White Spruce 'Sander's Blue'- dwarf, slow-growing, blue variety, reaching 0.7-0.8 m in height after 10 years of cultivation. It creates dense, regular cones. Intensely blue young growths look great against the background of older needles.
White Spruce 'Daisy`s White'- this is a slow growing, dwarf variety with a conical crown, reaching a height of 1 meter. Spring, gentle growths have a light, almost white shade that fades to green over time.
White spruce 'Alberta Globe'
Fig. PoradnikOgrodniczy.pl
White spruce 'Alberta Globe'- forms a spherical crown with a distinct cone. This dwarf variety reaches only 30 cm in diameter after 10 years. Delicate shoots are covered with short, light green needles. The 'Alberta Globe' variety gives two growths a year - in spring and summer. Due to the relatively shallow root system, it requires irrigation in periods of drought. It is resistant to fungal diseases and frost (plant frost resistance zone 5B), but it can often be attacked by the pine spider mite.
White spruce 'Alberta Blue'- resembles the 'Conica' variety. It grows up to 1.5 m in height and is distinguished by a beautiful blue color of needles.
White spruce 'Alberta Blue'
Fig. PoradnikOgrodniczy.pl
White spruce 'Rainbow's End'- is a dwarf variety reaching up to 1.5 m in height. The spring growths have a nice, light green color, while the shoots appearing in the summer growth have a light cream color. Plant frost resistance zone 5A.
White spruce 'Pendula'- is a weeping variety that grows up to 2-3 meters in height within 10 years. The drooping shoots are overgrown with bluish, short needles. This variety prefers light sites and a dry, slightly acidic substrate. It tolerates harsh climate - frost resistance zone 5A. It looks beautiful as a solitaire.
White spruce 'Laurin'- grows very slowly - after 10 years of cultivation it grows to only 40 cm in height. The dense crown acquires a dark green shade, and the young shoots are light green. This hardy variety requires a sunny location and slightly moist, fertile soil. Plant frost resistance zone 5A.
White spruce 'Densata'- grows up to 6-8 m in height and forms a conical, dense crown with blue-green needles. The new growths are light green. Young, red cones turn brown with time. It is easy to grow, decorative and frost resistant (plant hardiness zone 5).
Caucasian spruce
Caucasian spruce (Picea orientalis)- also known as oriental spruce or eastern spruce, it is undemanding, but it must be sheltered from the wind. Frost-resistant species - frost resistance zone 5A. It feels good in regions with increased air humidity. It tolerates shading well. It does not tolerate alkaline soils. Caucasian spruce forms a regular, conical crown and can grow up to 40 m in height. It usually has dark green needles, shorter than other spruce species. Adult specimens create lots of red male flowers and purple-brown cones.
Caucasian spruce - Picea orientalis
Photo. depositphotos.com
Caucasian Spruce 'Barnes'- has a compact, spherical shape and grows slowly. This dwarf variety grows up to 30-45 cm in height and 50-60 cm in width. The needles are dark green. It is undemanding and frost resistant. It has no special soil requirements, but it does not tolerate alkaline soils.
Caucasian spruce 'Aurea'- this is a small tree that grows up to 3 m tall. It looks especially beautiful when young growths with a golden color appear.
Caucasian spruce 'Golden Start'- this is another dwarf variety of Caucasian spruce with a slow growth rate, growing up to 2-3 m in height. The shape of the crown is conical, slightly irregular, narrow, and the young shoots are intensely golden. The variety is resistant to frost and drought, prefers sunny locations, but can also cope with partial shade. Frost resistance zone 5B.
Caucasian spruce 'Skylands'- this variety grows up to 3 m high, distinguished by an exceptionally intense color of needles. The short needles have a strong yellow-green color all year round, and the spring growths are even more vivid. Sensitive to strong sunlight.
Black spruce
Black spruce (Picea mariana)- is a slowly growing tree with a symmetrical, conical crown and short gray-green needles.It is found in North America and Canada, it is perfect for growing in our climatic conditions. It grows well in sunny places or slightly sheltered from the sun and wind. It prefers fertile and moderately moist substrates, and also grows in swampy areas. It is a frost-resistant species.
Black spruce 'Aurea'
Fig. depositphotos.com
Black spruce 'Aurea'- grows up to 2 m high, has a narrow, conical crown, blue-blue needles and light yellow young growths. It grows well in partial shade, is frost-resistant (plant hardiness zone 3) and undemanding.
Black spruce 'Nana'- grows up to 80 cm in height and forms a spherical, slightly flattened, gray-green crown. Plant frost resistance zone 5A.
Black spruce 'Nana'
Fig. depositphotos.com
Black spruce 'Horstmann'- grows quickly, even 30-40 cm per year. It creates a regular dark green crown and nicely contrasting purple cones. Plant hardiness zone 4.
Black spruce 'Machala'- grows up to 1 m high, takes a spherical shape. The gray-blue needles are short and pointed. Very resistant and undemanding.
Chinese spruce - Picea asperata
Fig. Daderot, Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons
Chinese spruce
Chinese spruce (Picea asperata)is a species native to the mountainous regions of China. It grows slowly, reaching up to 8-12 m in height. Not only thick, spiky, blue-green needles look nice, but also thin, flaky bark. Chinese spruce is undemanding and extremely resistant to drought and frost (plant frost resistance zone 5B). Tolerant to the type of soil and its pH.Likes sunny positions.
Chinese spruce 'Virgata'- it is distinguished by a rather loose crown and arched shoots. The long needles are spread wide and have a cyan, sometimes slightly silvery color. Ultimately, it can grow up to 5-8 m in height, but only after many years.
MSc Eng. Anna Błaszczak
