Culture
Best grown in well-draining, fertile to average, acidic, evenly moist, deep soils in full sun. Tolerant of poor, shallow soils (as long as they are moist), neutral pH, and high winds. Windfall may be more likely if grown in shallow soil. Intolerant of shade, air pollution, and dry soils. Hardy in Zone 4-6. Best planted in its permanent location when young (1-3' tall). Can be propagated from seeds or cuttings. Sow seeds in fall or provide an artificial cold, moist stratification and sow in early spring. Soft or semi-hardwood cuttings are best.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Picea purpurea, commonly called purple-coned spruce or purple cone spruce, is a tall, needled evergreen tree endemic to western China where it is found on north-facing, mountain slopes in southern Gansu, eastern Qinghai, and northwestern Sichuan provinces at elevations between 8,500 and 12,000 feet above sea level. Mature trees will reach 50-150' tall and 20-50' wide with a narrow, conical or pyramidal growth habit. Growth rate is moderate at about 12-15" per year. The 0.25-0.5" long, dark green needles are radially arranged on densely pubescent branchlets. Showy seed cones emerge in spring at the ends of the branchlets. They are cylindric-ovoid or ellipsoid in shape, reach around 2-3" long, and are reddish-purple to violet-purple in color, maturing to brown. Synonymous with Picea likiangensis var. purpurea.
Genus name is reportedly derived from the Latin word pix meaning "pitch" in reference to the sticky resin typically found in spruce bark.
The specific epithet purpurea means "purple" and refers to the color of the immature seed cones.
The common name refers to the color of the immature seed cones.
Problems
Spruces are generally susceptible to a number of insect and disease problems, including but not limited to aphids, bagworms, spider mites and pine needle scale.
Uses
Accent or specimen evergreen. Screen. Plant in a location where this large tree will have room to grow. Not suitable for planting close to homes or other structures. The timber is of similar quality to Picea likiangensis and is used for general construction, furniture, and pulp.