Conifers
Weeping White Spruce
Picea glauca 'Pendula'
Weeping white spruce combines an upward-reaching leader with steeply hanging branches and blue-green needles. Its narrow evergreen silhouette makes a striking vertical specimen, but final size depends on the plant and its training. Allow roughly 12–40 feet of height and 5–8 feet of spread rather than assuming a permanently small conifer. Choose a cooler, sunny position with good air movement and moist, freely drained soil. Southwest Washington's dry summers still require attention to establishment watering. Avoid crowded corners, reflected pavement heat, and repeated overhead irrigation. Check leader supports as the tree develops and keep pruning conservative.
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2016.04.12 18.49.07 DSC03409 - Flickr - andrey zharkikh.jpg
Andrey Zharkikh from Salt Lake City, USA
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At a glance
- Mature height
- About 12–40 ft; leader-dependent
- Mature spread
- About 5–8 ft
- Light
- Full sun; light shade tolerated
- Hardiness
- USDA Zones 2–6
The right plant, the right place
Make room for something good.
The upright stem and hanging branches provide height in a conifer bed without a broad canopy. Allow space around the narrow outline so the branches can hang freely.
Where to plant
Allow roughly 12–40 feet of height and 5–8 feet of spread. The strength and training of the main stem affect the final shape, so inspect the individual plant before siting.
Through the seasons
Blue-green needles remain year-round, with small cones possible as the tree develops.
Southwest Washington gardens
Give it a good start.
A cooler site with good air circulation suits this spruce best. Avoid hot enclosed corners, salt spray, and crowded planting, and provide water during summer establishment.
Soil, drainage & water
Use moist, well-drained soil and avoid leaving roots saturated. Direct irrigation toward the soil rather than repeatedly wetting the needles, particularly where foliage disease has been a problem.
A little care goes a long way
Growing well, season after season.
Maintain support for the main stem if an upright form is desired and check it as the tree grows. Remove dead branches and keep other pruning limited.
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.
Needle cast
Needles may develop yellow mottling, become brown or purplish, and fall. Rows of small black spots can appear.
Help your plant thrive
Remove diseased fallen needles, reduce overhead irrigation, and prevent crowding. Have recurring needle loss identified before treatment.
Spruce aphids
Yellow patches, browning, or needle drop can follow feeding in winter or early spring.
Help your plant thrive
Inspect needles during the cooler months. A water spray can remove insects from accessible small trees, while preserving predators helps limit colonies.
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.
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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.
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Tsuga canadensis forma pendula (Weeping Canadian Hemlock) (32094209094).jpg
Plant Image Library from Boston, USA
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Sargent's weeping hemlock
Tsuga canadensis 'Pendula'
Fine evergreen needles cover overlapping, weeping branches, creating a shaded-garden specimen whose final height and spreading outline depend strongly on training and the individual plant.
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