Plant Type

Conifer, Shrub

 

Height Range

6-12'

 

Flower Color

n/a

 

Flower Season

n/a

 

Leaf Color

Dark Green

 

Bark Color

Brown

 

Fruit Color

n/a

 

Fruit Season

n/a

Sun

Full, Half

 

Water

Medium, High

 

Growth Rate

Moderate

 

Soil Type

Sandy, Clay, Loam, Rocky

 

Soil Condition

Average, Rich, Poor, Well-drained

 

Soil pH

Acid, Neutral

 

Adverse Factors

n/a

Design Styles

English Cottage, Formal, Japanese

 

Accenting Features

Silhouette

 

Seasonal Interest

Winter

 

Location Uses

Perennial Border, Shrub Border, Foundation

 

Special Uses

Hedge, Small Spaces

 

Attracts Wildlife

n/a

Dwarf Alberta Spruce is the quintessential cone-shaped evergreen. Slow growing to 6 to 8 feet tall and 4 to 5 feet wide (though I have seen some very old ones that are nearly 10 feet), it forms a dense, cone-ish evergreen statement in the landscape. Use as an accent, or to contrast more natural or informally-shaped plants. There are some named cultivars available, distinguished by needle length, height, and other characteristics.

Grow in well drained, loamy soil. Though spruces typically grow in full sun, in our valley areas this plant performs best in partial shade. Particularly, avoid siting it where it will receive reflective heat from a building, wall, or fence, especially south or west facing. In the winter, this can cause the plant to bud out too ealy, risking cold damage of emerging needles; in the summer such a placement could result in scorching.