Conifers
Dwarf Alberta spruce
Picea glauca 'Conica'
Dwarf Alberta spruce offers a dense evergreen cone and fine green needles that bring order to a planting without frequent shaping. Slow growth does not mean permanent miniature size: over many years, it can reach 10 to 13 feet tall, with some plants spreading 7 to 10 feet. Allow room beyond the nursery-pot footprint. Choose bright light, moving air, and moist, well-drained soil, away from heat-reflecting walls. In Southwest Washington, drying wind and summer heat can damage foliage, while mites deserve attention during dry conditions. Water through establishment and investigate browning rather than simply shearing it away.
Ask about this plant
Ruhland, Grenzstr. 9, Zuckerhutfichte am Zuweg, Vorfrühling, 01.jpg
CC BY-SA 4.0 · Web-optimized
At a glance
- Mature height
- About 10–13 ft over time
- Mature spread
- Up to 7–10 ft over time; variable
- Light
- Sun; avoid intense reflected heat
- Hardiness
- USDA Zones 3–6
The right plant, the right place
Make room for something good.
Use the dense cone as an individual evergreen accent in a bed with space around it. Its slow growth suits a long-term planting where regular shaping is not needed.
Where to plant
Allow for a mature plant around 10–13 feet tall and several feet wide. Keep it away from heat-reflecting walls and paving, with space for air to circulate around the foliage.
Through the seasons
Fine green needles keep the conical outline visible year-round. Flowers and cones are not prominent features of this cultivar.
Southwest Washington gardens
Give it a good start.
Dry heat, reflected sunlight, and strong hot or cold winds can damage the foliage. In Southwest Washington, choose a protected position and inspect for mites during warm, dry weather.
Soil, drainage & water
Provide moist, well-drained soil and regular water while roots establish. Check the root area during dry spells, but avoid overwatering or crowding the foliage with neighboring plants.
A little care goes a long way
Growing well, season after season.
Remove damaged growth selectively and keep any shaping light. Leave access around the plant so you can inspect its dense foliage for browning, thinning, or signs of feeding pests.
Know what to look for
Common growing concerns.
Symptoms can have more than one cause. These notes are a starting point for observing your plant and improving its growing conditions.
Mites and dry-heat stress
Needles may look dull, mottled, or brown during hot, dry weather. Check affected foliage for mites.
Help your plant thrive
Review watering and exposure, especially beside paving or warm walls. Confirm mite activity before treating the plant.
Needle disease
Discolored needles may fall prematurely. Persistent loss can occur when dense foliage stays wet or air circulation is poor.
Help your plant thrive
Leave space around the cone and avoid unnecessary overhead watering. Identify recurring needle loss before selecting a treatment.
A little more inspiration
Keep exploring.
Weeping Norway Spruce
Picea abies 'Pendula'
A sculptural evergreen with hanging branches that can become an upright specimen or a low spreading feature, depending on its form and early training.
Explore this plant
Cupressina Norway Spruce
Picea abies 'Cupressina'
Dense, ascending branches create a slender evergreen column, offering substantial height and winter structure where a full-width spruce would demand too much horizontal space.
Explore this plant
2016.04.12 18.49.07 DSC03409 - Flickr - andrey zharkikh.jpg
Andrey Zharkikh from Salt Lake City, USA
CC BY 2.0 · Web-optimized
Weeping White Spruce
Picea glauca 'Pendula'
A narrow evergreen with an upright leader and dramatically hanging blue-green branches, suited to a cool, open planting space where its tall silhouette can develop.
Explore this plantGood gardens start with a conversation
Let’s find the right plant
for your place.
Ask our team about plant selection and current availability.