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Picea pungens 'Compacta'

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
PY-see--uh PUN-jenz com-PAK-tah
Description

Dwarf spruce is a needled evergreen tree in the pine family (Pinaceae). It is a variety of Colorado spruce, a native of the western United States. The origin of this variety is not known.

This tree needs average, well-drained soil in full sun. It does best in cool-weather summers and will grow more slowly in the hot, humid Southeast. Native trees will be a better choice for North Carolina, although dwarf spruce may tolerate the summer weather in the North Carolina mountains. It is slow growing, reaching only 1 to 5 feet in 10 years.

This spruce is a compact, densely branched, flat-topped evergreen with long blue, sharp-tipped needles.  Over time, its low horizontal branches form a skirt that spreads along the ground. 

If planted in the landscape, blue spruce makes an attractive specimen or accent plant. Its size makes it suitable in small spaces.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: This plant has no serious pest issues but can be affected by aphids, scale, budworms and bagworms. New growth and overall health of this tree can be affected by spider mites.

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

More information on Picea pungens.

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
Patio Room
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#conifer#needled evergreen#horizontal#compact habit
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#conifer#needled evergreen#horizontal#compact habit
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Picea
    Species:
    pungens
    Family:
    Pinaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Needled Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Dense
    Horizontal
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    NC Region:
    Mountains
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Description:
    No flowers
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Needled Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Blue
    Leaf Feel:
    Prickly
    Leaf Type:
    Needles
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Whorled
    Leaf Shape:
    Linear
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Stiff sharp blue-green needles with three or four whitish stomatal lines on each surface are 1-1.5 inches long and spiral along the stem
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Nearly horizontal stems
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Theme:
    Children's Garden
    Cottage Garden
    Fairy Garden
    Rock Garden
    Winter Garden