Oriental Spruce Picea orientalis
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Oriental Spruce:
- Phonetic Spelling
- PY-see-uh or-ee-en-TAY-liss
- Description
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A dense, compact, narrow pyramid evergreen with short ascending, horizontal or pendulous branches that extend to the ground. It will grow in a variety of soil types, including poor fertility areas. A cool climate plant that will not do well in areas of heat and humidity. It is best to protect from harsh winter winds.
The needles of the male are reddish, with strawberry-shaped cones. Female cones are 2-4" long and 1" wide, reddish-purple when the tree is young. As the tree matures, they will turn brown.
Drought tolerant when mature, young trees need to be watered on a regular basis.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Potential problems include needle cast, cankers, bagworms, and mites.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Juniper Level Botanic Gardens: Greenhouse Beds
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Aurea'
Bright yellow new growth - 'Gowdy'
Narrow, slow growing - 'Gracilis'
A compact, densely-branched, globose to ovate form of Picea orientalis with thin flexible growth 'Skylands'
New foiliage is yellow. Color will fade in summer, needles may burn in hot climates. - 'Aurea'
- 'Aurea', 'Gowdy', 'Gracilis', 'Nana', 'Skylands'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Aurea'
Bright yellow new growth - 'Gowdy'
Narrow, slow growing - 'Gracilis'
A compact, densely-branched, globose to ovate form of Picea orientalis with thin flexible growth 'Skylands'
New foiliage is yellow. Color will fade in summer, needles may burn in hot climates. - 'Aurea'
- 'Aurea', 'Gowdy', 'Gracilis', 'Nana', 'Skylands'
- Tags:
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-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Picea
- Species:
- orientalis
- Family:
- Pinaceae
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Asia minor
- Wildlife Value:
- Browsers, Nesting birds, Songbirds. Winter cover for deer and small game.
- Play Value:
- Buffer
- Pieces Used in Games
- Screening
- Dimensions:
- Height: 50 ft. 0 in. - 60 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 15 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Needled Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Pyramidal
- 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 Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12-24 feet
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Length:
- > 3 inches
- Fruit Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Description:
- Cones, reddish-purple when young, turn brown when mature
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gold/Yellow
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Description:
- Inconspicuous
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Needled Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Needles
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Other/more complex
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Dark green/black, tightly set, 4-sided, 1 to 4 lines on each side
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Surface/Attachment:
- Exfoliating
- Patchy
- Ridges
- Bark Description:
- Smooth. Cracked into small rounded plates with age.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Recreational Play Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Children's Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Screen/Privacy
- Shade Tree
- Specimen
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Poor Soil
