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Common Name: Norway spruce
Type: Needled evergreen
Family: Pinaceae
Zone: 3 to 7
Height: 0.75 to 2 feet
Spread: 2 to 3 feet
Bloom Time: Non-flowering
Bloom Description: Non-flowering
Sun: Full sun
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Low
Leaves: Evergreen
Other: Winter Interest
Tolerates: Air Pollution, Deer
Culture
Grow in average, medium moisture, well-drained soil in full sun. Prefers moist, sandy soils. Will tolerate light shade and clay soils.
Noteworthy Characteristics
This Norway spruce cultivar is a dwarf needled evergreen shrub which has a dense, flat, globose, bun or cushion-like habit. New growth needles are light green, turning to a glossy, dark green with age. Typically grows slowly (3" per year) to 12" tall and 18-24" wide, but may occasionally reach 2' tall and 2-3' wide. A sport of Picea abies 'Nidiformis' (bird's nest spruce).
Plant of Merit
Pale yellow-green needles emerge at the stem tips in spring, but quickly mature to glossy dark green on this dwarf, needled evergreen that grows very slowly to form a dense, flat, globose cushion maturing to only 2 feet tall and 3 feet wide. Best performance occurs in sandy, well-drained loams with consistent moisture. This is an excellent selection for foundations, rock gardens, path edgings or as a small garden specimen. For a different look, this diminutive shrub is sometimes grafted to a 3 foot tall standard. Plants generally require very little maintenance.
Problems
No serious insect or disease problems. Susceptible to red spider, spruce gall aphid, budworm, bagworm and borers.
Garden Uses
May be used in the border front or rock garden as a specimen, or as part of a foundation planting or specimen around the home.