Dwarf Alberta Spruce , know scientifically as Picea glauca ‘ Conica ’ , is a cultivar of the whitened spruce within the Pinaceae family unit , a group that includes pines , fir , and other coniferous tree . The genus Picea encompass about 35 metal money of evergreen plant trees , principally aboriginal to northerly temperate and boreal area . The species Picea glauca , or white spruce , is a widespread North American coniferous tree , and ‘ Conica ’ is a nanus mutation prized for its compendious , conical form . Unlike its towering parent , which can reach 100 feet , this cultivar stay small , typically topping out at 10–12 foot over decades . Its classification reverberate its post among gymnosperms — seed - develop flora with naked seeds — under the social club Pinales , align it with other needle - leaved evergreens .

The Dwarf Alberta Spruce originated as a natural sport strike in the early 1900s near Lake Laggan in Alberta , Canada . In 1904 , botanist Arnold Arboretum ’s Alfred Rehder and John G. Jack spotted this slow - growing oddity among idle white spruce and recognized its horticultural potential . Propagated via cuttings ( since it seldom produce executable retinal cone ) , it was present to the glasshouse deal by the 1920s , quickly gaining favor for its tidy shape and evergreen plant appeal . Named for its Alberta origins and dense , spruce - like acerate leaf , it became a staple in formal garden and vacation interior decoration , though its susceptibility to gadfly like wanderer mites subsequently temper its laterality in some region .

While Picea glauca is native to northerly North America — dilute from Alaska across Canada to the northeasterly U.S.—the ‘ Conica ’ cultivar is a garden creation , not found in the natural state . Its parent species thrives in boreal forests , often along riverside or in mixed coniferous stands , enduring harsh winters and inadequate growing seasons . Since its discovery , Dwarf Alberta Spruce has been distributed globally through gardening , popping up in landscape from North America to Europe and temperate part of Asia . It ’s cultivated rather than naturalized , rely on human care to spread beyond its Alberta birthplace .

Spotting a Dwarf Alberta Spruce is easy with its distinct traits . It forms a dense , symmetrical cone , growing lento at 2–4 inches per year , with soft , short needles ( about half an inch long ) in a vivid green chromaticity that darkens with age . Unlike the dotty snowy spruce , its branches are tightly packed , consecrate a plush , almost fuzzy look — no pruning postulate to maintain the frame . The needles radiate around sprig in a voluted , and while it rarely fruit , tiny brown cones may occasionally come along on older plants . In winter , it concord its gloss well , though stressed specimens might tan slightly . Its petite stature and unvarying maturation plant it asunder from lankier conifer .

Dwarf Alberta Spruce thrives in USDA Zones 2 to 7 , tolerating frozen lows down to -50 ° F ( -46 ° C ) and temperate summers . It ’s glad in cooler climate , mirror its boreal root , and can shinny in the heat and humidness of Zone 8 or higher , where misfortunate air travel circulation invites pests . Well - drain , slightly acidic soil ( pH 5.5–6.5 ) keeps it sizeable , and it needs trade protection from scorching Dominicus or drying winds in warmer geographical zone to avoid needle sunburn .

In landscape gardening , Dwarf Alberta Spruce is a various star , arrant for small gardens or structured designs . Its naturally conical physique makes it a go - to for instauration planting , rock and roll garden , or as a dwell vacation tree diagram in containers — often deck with light come December . establish in pairs , it flanks doorways or paths with formal flair , while solo specimens sum vertical accents to mixed borders . It ’s low - maintenance ( no shaping required ) , but its shallow roots and pest exposure mean it ’s best sited aside from hot , windy spots . For tiny K or patio , it ’s a compact evergreen gem — just do n’t ask it to screen much , as it abide lilliputian and dense .

Dwarf Alberta Spruce (Picea glauca ‘Conica’): Cultivation

clime Compatibility

This cultivar excels in USDA Zones 2 to 7 , withstanding winter lows to -50 ° F ( -46 ° C ) . It prefers cool climates and struggles in raging , humid weather condition above Zone 7 , where oestrus stress and gadfly can take a toll .

Sunlight necessary

Plant in full sun for optimal outgrowth and compactness , though it stick out light shade . In warmer zones , dayspring sun with good afternoon shade helps forbid acerate leaf singe from intense rays .

Soil Preferences

It thrives in well - drain , slightly acidic soil ( pH 5.5–6.5 ) , like sandy loam or loamy mix . Avoid sound corpse or soggy sites — poor drain leads to root rot , a usual killer .

Watering motive

Keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged during its first year to institute root . Once mature , piddle every week during dry spells , see to it the top inch dry out out between sessions to avoid over - saturation .

Planting Time

Early leap or flow is best for planting , take into account roots to get back before summer heat or rich freezes . Container - grown specimens can go in anytime frost is n’t a terror , but avoid mid - summer accent .

Spacing

Space plant 3 to 6 feet apart , depending on use — closer for a tight hedge , wide-cut for standalone feature of speech . Its slow ontogenesis ( 2–4 inch yearly ) signify it wo n’t push quickly , top out at 10–12 feet .

Fertilization

use a slow - release , back breaker - loving fertiliser ( like 10 - 8 - 6 ) in early bounce before new growth emerges . Do n’t exaggerate it — too much nitrogen causes leggy growth and step down its thick shape .

Mulching

Spread a 2- to 3 - inch layer of organic mulch ( pine bark or woodwind instrument chips ) around the base to keep back wet and keep roots coolheaded . Pull mulch back from the body to prevent putrefaction and pest hideout .

Pruning Practices

Pruning is seldom needed thanks to its natural cone shape , but trim dead or damaged gratuity in late winter with clean shears . obviate threatening cuts — new growth wo n’t spud from old wood .

Pest Management

watch out for spider mites , particularly in hot , ironic weather — yellow or flecked needles indicate hassle . savage them off with water or use horticultural oil ; aphids and bagworms may also pop up , treatable with insecticidal max .

Disease Prevention

Good atmosphere circulation curbs fungal issue like phonograph needle mold or rust fungus , which brown acerate leaf . ward off overhead lachrymation , and remove fall dust to bound spore spread — wet , suspect maculation worsen these risks .

Winter Protection

In Laputan expanse or Zones 2–3 , harbor young plant life with burlap to prevent evaporation from cold , dry gust . Mature bush palm snow well , but coppice off heavy load to avoid branch breakage .

generation

Propagate via deal cuttings in early summertime — dip 4 - column inch tips in rooting hormone and plant in a moist , sandy mix . It seldom produces cones , so seed is n’t an choice ; expect ho-hum rooting over months .