Picea abies 'Nidiformis'
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- PY-see--uh A-bees ni-du-FORM-iss
- Description
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A slow-growing dwarf cultivar that is appropriately named bird's nest spruce due to the depression (nest) in the middle of its tight, compact, mounded habit. Grown for its beautiful foliage.
The branches are spreading, horizontal to slightly ascending, making its form a dense, broad-rounded, shrubby, flattened globe.
Although it typically grows to 1-2' tall and 3-4' wide during the first 10 years, it can mature to up to 8' tall and 10-12' wide.
Some minor insect and disease issues do exist. They include canker, wood decay, needle cast, and rust. Insects affecting this plant include aphids, bagworms, cutworms, and borers.
Water regularly in extreme heat or when planting in containers.
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:
- Mountain Ridge Top Garden - East Lawn and Lower Drive Border
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Picea
- Species:
- abies
- Family:
- Pinaceae
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Grafting
- Stem Cutting
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts birds
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Needled Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Rounded
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3b, 3a, 4b, 4a, 5b, 5a, 6b, 6a
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Fruit:
- Fruit Length:
- > 3 inches
- Fruit Description:
- A pendulous cone containing seeds
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Flowers:
- Flower Description:
- Non-flowering
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Needled Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Horizontal layers of dark, dull gray-green leaves, thin and slightly curved, crowded on the branches
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Lawn
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Patio
- Walkways
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Rock Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Foundation Planting
- Mass Planting
- Specimen
