Norway Spruce Picea abies 'Pumila Glauca'

The dwarf blue Norway spruce is a needled evergreen shrub in the Pinaceae (pine) family. This cultivar of the Norway spruce is of unknown origins, although it has been familiar in large gardens and arboretums since the mid-1800s. The cultivar name, ‘Pumila Glauca,’ is Latin for “dwarf blue.”

This spruce variety has a shallow root system, and it prefers full sun or partial shade in a cooler climate. It does best in moderately moist, well-drained, acidic soils. Established plants have some resistance to rabbits and deer, and tolerance of air pollution. Norway spruce varieties dislike heat, wet feet, and hot, dry summers. This variety does best in the North Carolina mountains. It typically grows to about 3 feet tall and 6 feet wide after 10 years, growing about 4 to 6 inches per year.

’Pumila Glauca’ is a semi-erect, broad, flat plant with thin, very flexible stems. The branches are symmetrical with white stomata (tiny openings in the leaves that open and close to allow the intake of carbon dioxide and the release of oxygen) that create a glittering blue-green sheen. Its lower branches tend to spread outward, while the upper branches spread upward. 

Consider it for plantings in lawns, meadows, woodlands, or naturalized areas. It serves well as an accent or specimen planting, as well as grouped in a mass planting such as a walkway or patio border, or a foundation planting. Add it to cottage, rock, or winter gardens. It attracts songbirds. 

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.

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.