Bird's Nest Spruce Picea abies 'Nidiformis'

Picea abies ‘Nidiformis’ is a dwarf, needled evergreen shrub in the Pinaceae (pine) family. Named bird's nest spruce due to the depression (nest) in the middle of its compact, mounded habit, this cultivar of the Norway spruce has been credited to the Rulemann Grisson Nursery in Sasselheide, Germany. It has been known to the nursery trade since the early 1900s.

This spruce cultivar has a shallow root system, and it prefers full sun and moderately moist, well-drained, acidic soils. Established plants have some tolerance to deer, drought, and air pollution. Norway spruce dislikes heat, wet feet, and hot, dry summers; and this cultivar does best in the North Carolina mountains. Water regularly in extreme heat or when planting in containers. Although it typically grows to 1 to 2 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide during the first 10 years, it can mature to up to 8 feet tall and 10 to 12 feet wide in 30 years. Plant 3 to 6 feet apart.  

Bird’s nest spruce is grown for its beautiful light green or gray green foliage. The branches are spreading and horizontal to slightly ascending, making its form a dense, broad, shrubby, flattened globe.

The shrub’s small size and slow growth makes it ideal for containers, although it is a versatile plant that works well in many other situations. Consider it for plantings in lawns, patios, walkways, meadows, or naturalized areas. It serves well as an accent or specimen planting, as well as grouped in a border or foundation planting.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Problems: Potential insect pests include aphids, bagworms, budworms, borers, and red spider mites. It is also susceptible to cytospora canker, wood decay, needle cast, and rust.

More information on Picea abies.