Serbian Spruce(Picea omorika) is the perfect tree for any garden. The soaring habit, the pyramidal crown and high resistance make this species one of the best-grown spruces. Get to know the most interestingvarieties of Serbian spruceand find out if it is difficultto grow Serbian sprucein the garden. We explain what the requirements of this species are, as well as what diseases and pests can attack Serbian spruce.
Serbian spruce - Picea omorika
Fig. depositphotos.com
Serbian spruce - appearance description
Serbian spruce belongs to the pine family(Pinaceae) and occurs naturally in the mountainous regions of the Balkans. It is one of the nicer species of spruce. It grows quickly and is suitable for all types of gardens. Its annual increments are 35-100 cm, and ornamental varieties grow up to 20 m in height.
With such a rapid growth,Serbian spruce retains a narrow, regular habitand is branched from the ground. The tips of the branches tilt slightly upwards, giving the tree an original look. Decorativeneedles of Serbian spruceare flat, dark green on top, with two white stripes on the underside. The plant is monoecious. Long-lasting on the tree, gathered in clustersSerbian spruce coneshave an interesting purple color.
Due to its high strength and low requirements,Serbian spruce is eagerly planted ingardens and on green areas.It looks great growing in small groups or singly as a solitaire. The trees planted in a row as hedges create a beautiful green cover.
Serbian spruce - varieties
Interestingvarieties of Serbian spruceare available in garden centers and nurseries, including several dwarf varieties suitable for small gardens. We present the most interesting and popular of them.
Serbian spruce 'Aurea'- this is a variety with golden color of young shoots. It grows slowly and ultimately reaches up to 20 m in height and 6 m in width. The yellow discoloration of young needles is preserved throughout the growing season on the upper side of the shoots, contrasting with the dark green, older needles. Coloration becomes more intense after the onset of cold weather.
Serbian spruce Gnom- this is a slowly growing variety. It grows only 4-7 cm annually. It is characterized by a compact, irregular habit. The needles are dark green at the top and bluish at the bottom, making the shrub look two-color - bluish-green.It looks great in rock gardens and moors, as well as in flower beds and in containers.
Serbian spruce 'Karel'
Fig. depositphotos.com
Serbian spruce 'Karel'- a slowly growing variety of Serbian spruce with a flat round shape, growing up to 75 cm in height and width within 10 years. It has densely arranged shoots and short, shiny and green needles. The underside needles are lighter with two white stripes. Since the needles are arranged radially around the shoot and directed slightly upwards, the underside is visible and the entire plant appears silvery green. Fully frost-resistant variety, recommended for garden beds, rockeries, moors and cultivation in containers.
Serbian spruce 'Nana'- in the initial period, this dwarf variety forms a domed shrub with a dense, compact habit. Over time, it produces a main shoot and takes the form of a pyramid up to 1.5 m high and 75 cm wide.The shoots are covered with dark green needles with two white stripes running along the underside, arranged in such a way that their underside is visible. This gives the tree an interesting silvery color. This variety looks beautiful on mixed beds, moors or in balcony boxes and planters.
Serbian spruce 'Pendula'- is a group of varieties with extremely slender and narrow crowns growing up to 10 m in height. Side branches fall almost along the trunk. The cultivar 'Pendula Bruns' also attracts attention, which at first requires leading, then its dangling twigs create an effective cascade. The tree retains a narrow habit.
Serbian spruce 'Pendula'
Fig. Daderot, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
Serbian spruce 'Pimoco'- is a dwarf variety (up to 20-30 cm high and 30-40 cm wide) forming dense, bristling spheres. Due to the compact, spherical habit and slow growth, this variety is perfect for flower beds, rockeries and for growing in containers.
Serbian spruce - cultivation
Serbian spruce is easy to grow , and its popularity is also due to its high resistance to urban pollution and low temperatures (the species belongs to the plant's frost resistance zone 5A). For proper development, it needs a sunny position and the soil is fertile and well-drained.Serbian spruce reacts badly to overflow- the roots rot quickly, causing the needles to brown and the plant to die.
The bestplanting date for Serbian spruceis autumn. After proper preparation of the substrate, pour a layer of drainage to the bottom of the pit, protecting the roots from excess water, and then plant the seedling at the height of the root collar.
In the first years after planting young plants, such apple trees are important inof Serbian sprucesuch as:
- fertilization (preferably use organic fertilizers),
- mulching the soil under the plants to reduce water evaporation from the substrate,
- watering (it's best not to sprinkle whole plants, but to provide water directly to the ground, avoid wetting the twigs),
- removal of weeds (especially important when growing dwarf varieties with slow growth, which can be drowned out by faster-growing weeds).
Serbian spruce tolerates pruning . It is enough to correct the shape of the crown every few years or limit its height or width. The best time to cut Serbian spruce is spring.
Serbian spruce - Picea omorika
Fig. depositphotos.com
Serbian spruce - diseases and pests
Serbian spruce is resistant to diseases and pests . The browning of the needles is most often caused by overfilling the plant and over-fertilization with nitrogen. Diseases that occasionally affect this species are usually fungal in nature.
Dieback of spruce shoots- this disease is caused by the fungus Gremmeniella abietina. In early spring, necrotic spots turning red can be seen at the tops of the shoots. We fight this disease and other fungal diseases by using natural spraying of nettle, comfrey, garlic or field horsetail, which improves plant immunity and helps to fight fungal diseases that already occur.If we are not able to prepare the above-mentioned sprayings ourselves. natural, it is worth reaching for a ready-made preparation based on field horsetail called Evasiol. If natural methods are not effective enough, it is worth reaching for chemical plant protection products. Spraying against the fungus is performed in two series - during the growth of young shoots and in the second half of September. Recommended preparations are Topsin M 500 SC and Scorpion 325 SC.
Aphids weaken plants, often transferring viral diseases and promoting fungal infections.There is often a specific type of aphid on the spruce- spruce and larch spruce.
As a result of these pests foraging, pineapple growths called galls form on the spruce trees, distorting young growths.Agate spruce galls at the base of shoots, and spruce-larch arbor at their tips .
Spruce voles are best de alt with in early spring, before the larvae, hidden in galls, start feeding. For this purpose, the oil preparation Emulpar 940 EC is sprayed. If this does not help, use stronger insecticides such as Karate Gold, Mospilan 20 SP or Polysect 005 SL.
Spruce trees can also be fed bygreen spruce aphid . Then you can notice streaks on the needles of Serbian spruce, and over time the needles turn brown and fall off. To combat it, you can use the same preparations as in the case of armworms.
The spider mite feeding on the Serbian sprucecauses mosaic discoloration, yellowing of the needles and their dropping.One can see characteristic delicate spider webs on the branches of conifers, and on the shoots clusters of wintering amber spider mite eggs. When fighting spider mites in the early spring, spray with the Emulpar 940 EC oil preparation, and in the growing season - from May to June, spider mites such as Karate Gold or natural Limocide are used.
MSc Eng. Anna Błaszczak
