Picea abies 'Maxwellii'
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- PY-see--uh A-bees
- Description
-
The 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. A notable feature of 'Maxwellii' is its tendency to produce many short thick shoots with exceptionally thick needles and dense clusters of buds.
It dislikes summer heat and prefers cool summer climates.
Established plants have some drought tolerance.
There are no serious problems. Canker, wood decay, needle cast, and rust may happen. Aphids, bagworms, and borers may damage the plant.
VIDEO Created by Elizabeth Meyer for "Trees, Shrubs and Conifers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Tags:






- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Tags:
-
-
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