Dwarf Spruce 'Alberta'

Willowbrook Nurseries Inc./Sheridan Nurseries Ltd.

$34.99
Title

A charming, living miniature Christmas tree for your home! This incredibly popular dwarf conifer forms a perfectly dense, uniform cone of soft, touchable foliage. Its tiny needles emerge in a bright, cheering light green in early summer, eventually maturing to a sophisticated blue-green that holds its rich colour and tidy shape year-round.

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Plant Details

Mature Size:

6–10' H x 3–5' W

Zone:

2-8

Watering:

Medium to High

Foliage Type:

Evergreen

Growth Rate:

Extremely Slow

Light:

Full Sun/Partial Shade

Plant Profile

Common Names:

Dwarf Alberta Spruce, Dwarf White Spruce, Alberta Spruce 'Conica', White Spruce 'Conica'

Scientific Name:

Picea glauca 'Conica'

Type:

Ornamental Dwarf Evergreen Shrub / Conifer

Growth Details:

  • Mature Size: Typically 6–10 feet tall and 3–5 feet wide after several decades.
  • Growth Habit / Form: Compact, strictly conical, and symmetrical.
  • Growth Rate: Very slow (roughly 2–4 inches per year).
  • Longevity: Expected to live for 50 years or more in ideal conditions.

Environmental Needs:

  • Exposure: Full sun to partial shade; prefers cool-summer climates.
  • Soil Preferences: Prefers slightly acidic, moist, well-drained loamy soils.
  • Soil Tolerance: Adaptable to most garden soils but intolerant of standing water.
  • Watering: High initial needs for establishment; requires regular deep watering during dry spells to prevent needle drop.

Special Features:

  • Disease Resistances: Verticillium wilt resistant.
  • Native Status: Selection of a native North American species discovered in Alberta, Canada.
  • Pests: Susceptible to spider mites in hot, dry weather; benefit from a regular blast of water from a hose to keep foliage clean.
  • Award Winner: Recipient of the prestigious RHS Award of Garden Merit.
Care Guide

Ornamental & Landscape Value

Seasonal Interest:

  • Bloom: Non-flowering conifer.
  • Winter Interest: Maintains its perfect conical form and dense evergreen texture even under snow.
  • Foliage Colour: Emerging light green in spring; matures to deep forest green or blue-green.

Garden Value:

A "must-have" for formal entryways, rock gardens, and mixed borders. Its slow growth and compact nature make it a premier choice for topiary, patio containers, and as a miniature focal point in small-space landscapes.

Wildlife & Human Value:

  • Wildlife: Provides dense, year-round shelter for small songbirds and beneficial insects.
  • Human: The gold standard for low-maintenance vertical structure; popular as a "potted Christmas tree" for indoor/outdoor holiday use.

Planting & Care Guide

Planting Considerations:

  • Best Time To Plant: Spring or early fall.
  • Spacing: 3–5 feet apart for individual growth.
  • Location Tips: Shelter from strong, hot, or cold drying winds to prevent winter burn. Suitable for planting under power lines.

Care:

  • Light Requirements: Performs best in full sun; can handle very light shade, though foliage may become less dense.
  • Moisture Requirements: Requires consistently moist, well-drained soil; do not allow it to dry out completely.
  • Maintenance, Fertilization: Very low maintenance; naturally stays in its iconic cone shape without pruning. Feed with a balanced evergreen fertilizer in early spring to keep needles bright and dense.

Tolerances:

Deer, rabbits, urban pollution, and extreme cold.

Tips For Success:

Apply a thick layer of organic mulch around the base to retain moisture and protect shallow roots from temperature swings. Occasionally, check inner needles for spider mites during summer droughts and treat with a gentle water spray.

Fruit Profile