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Maxwell Spruce Picea abies 'Maxwellii'

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
PY-see--uh A-bees
Description

The ‘Maxwelli’ spruce is a dwarf, needled evergreen shrub in the Pinaceae (pine) family. This cultivar of the Norway spruce originated as a seedling selected by the T.C. Maxwell Brothers Nursery in Geneva, New York, around 1860.

‘Maxwelli’  has a shallow root system, and it prefers full sun or partial shade and moderately moist, well-drained, acidic soils. Established plants have some tolerance to drought and air pollution. Norway spruce varieties dislike heat, wet feet, and hot, dry summers. This shrub prefers cool summer climates and does better in the North Carolina mountains than in the coastal region. It grows to a height of 2 to 4 feet and spreads to a width of 8 to 10 feet. Allow 12 to 24 feet between plants.

This spruce’s form or habit is a low-growing, flat-topped irregular globe outlined with short stout branches. Its mature width is substantially wider than its height. The ‘Maxwelli’ spruce tends to produce an abundance of short, thick shoots with unusually thick blue-green needles and dense clusters of buds. It develops large pendulous cones that are purple-violet to green when young and light brown when they mature.

Plant this versatile shrub in a lawn, landscape, or patio area. It also works well along walkways and in woodland areas. Use it as a border, foundation planting, hedge, or individual specimen. ‘Maxwelli’ is also an attractive addition to rock and winter gardens.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Problems: Potential insect pests for the Norway spruce and its cultivars include aphids, bagworms, budworms, borers, and red spider mites. They are susceptible to cytospora canker, wood decay, needle cast, and rust.

VIDEO Created by Elizabeth Meyer for "Trees, Shrubs and Conifers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.

More information on Picea abies.

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Tags:
#evergreen#conifer#winter interest#dwarf#air pollution tolerant#showy fruits#deer resistant#th-sight
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#conifer#winter interest#dwarf#air pollution tolerant#showy fruits#deer resistant#th-sight
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Picea
    Species:
    abies
    Family:
    Pinaceae
    Dimensions:
    Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 8 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Needled Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Mounding
    Pyramidal
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Available Space To Plant:
    12-24 feet
    NC Region:
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Green
    Purple/Lavender
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Fruit Length:
    > 3 inches
    Fruit Description:
    Large pendulous cones, purple-violet to green when young, mature to a light brown.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Description:
    Non-flowering
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Needled Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Blue
    Green
    Orange
    Leaf Type:
    Needles
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Whorled
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Rigid, rounded, slightly curved needles
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Orange
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Primary branches slightly upturned, secondary branches become pendulous with maturity.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Lawn
    Naturalized Area
    Patio
    Walkways
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Rock Garden
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Foundation Planting
    Hedge
    Specimen
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Dry Soil