Common Name: Serbian spruce
Type: Needled evergreen
Family: Pinaceae
Zone: 4 to 7
Height: 6.00 to 15.00 feet
Spread: 5.00 to 8.00 feet
Bloom Time: Non-flowering
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Low
Leaf: Evergreen
Attracts: Birds
Fruit: Showy
Other: Winter Interest
Tolerate: Deer, Air Pollution
Culture
Grow in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Prefers cool summer climates. It often will not perform well in the southeastern U.S. south of USDA Zone 7, but generally will adapt to hot and humid conditions better than many of the other species of spruce.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Picea omorika, commonly called Serbian spruce, is an evergreen conifer that is native to limestone soils in the upper Drina River Valley in western Serbia and eastern Bosnia and Herzegovina. It typically grows to 50-60' tall in cultivation, but will rise to as much as 100' tall over time in its native habitat. This is a narrow, pyramidal, spire-like tree with pendant branches that ascend at the tips. Flattened bright green needles have silvery undersides. Brown bark cracks into scaly plates. Pubescent new shoots. Pendant cones (to 2 1/2" long) emerge violet purple but mature to yellowish brown.
Genus name is reportedly derived from the Latin word pix meaning "pitch" in reference to the sticky resin typically found in spruce bark.
Specific epithet is the Serbian name for spruce.
'De Ruyter' is a slow growing spruce with a broad, irregular habit formed by thick clusters of 2 to 3 in. branches at the base of the new year’s growth. It has shoots with either frosty blue needles or soft green needles on the same plant. ‘De Ruyter’ is smaller than the species growing 6 to 15 ft. tall and 5 to 8 ft. wide.
Problems
No serious insect or disease problems. Generally susceptible to a number of insect problems, the most common of which are spider mites, aphids, budworms and borers.
Uses
One of the most attractive spruces. Plant as a specimen or in groups. Appropriate as an evergreen street tree.