We’ve long been fascinated with dwarf spruces that will survive our intense summer heat and humidity, and here are a few from our collection that are still looking great after a brutally hot, humid, and dry summer.
The first is Picea abies ‘Hereny’. This dwarf Norway spruce was discovered in Hungary by Józsa Miklós, and first released in 2010. Reportedly, it matures at 3′ tall after 20 years, but our eight year old plant is already 5′ tall x 3.5′ wide…obviously hungary for a hotter climate.
Picea pungens ‘Lucretia’ is a compact selection of Colorado blue spruce. This Bob Moore/Marshall Nursery selection forms a 2′ tall x 3′ wide specimen in 10 years. The original 75 year old plant is reportedly 20′ in height.
Picea omorika ‘Peve Tijn’ is a dwarf selection of Serbian spruce. It reportedly matures at 6′ tall x 4′ wide. This selection was discovered by Dutch nurseryman, Piet Vergeldt.
Picea orientalis ‘Shadow’s Broom’ was discovered by the late nurseryman, Don Shadow. Reportedly, this oriental spruce selection matures at 6′ tall x 4′ wide. Our plant has a ways to go before achieving this size.
Picea glauca ‘Ketch Harbor’ was discovered as a mutation on a plant in Ketch Harbor, Nova Scotia. We have no explanation why this has thrived in our hot, humid summers. Reportedly, this matures at 6′ tall x 3′ wide, which our seven year old plant has already reached.
Are these all in full sun? Any sense which one is the most shade tolerant?
We haven’t run any shade tolerance trials. Most species can tolerate a bit of light shade, but their growth rates and appearance will be diminished.