Blue dwarf spruce: TOP 15 varieties, how they look, care features

Blue dwarf spruce is a small copy of taller plants. It occupies a minimum of space on the site and at the same time harmoniously complements the exterior at any time of the year. In summer, the plant goes well with flowers, and in winter it contrasts with white snow. The popularity of the culture is associated with the unusual color of the needles and high frost resistance. To make the plant look decorative, it is important to provide it with quality care.

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Blue spruces belong to the genus Picea. In addition to them, this group includes another 35 varieties of plants. Blue spruces are characterized by needles, which are fixed on the branches with a slightly thickened part.The needles themselves are very dense. This is the main difference between blue spruces and other representatives of the genus.

Besides blue, Picea pungens is also called white, prickly, silver. The bluish color of the needles is associated with the presence of a wax coating on the needles. In some varieties, it is due to the fact that the stomata of the needles have a lighter color compared to the rest.

Dwarf varieties of blue spruce were identified in 1862. Currently, several hundred low-growing varieties have been bred. The most common is Globoza. Also popular varieties include Glauca Globoza and Montgomery. They share similar growth habits and colors.

Popular varieties

Today there are quite a few varieties of blue spruce, each of which has certain characteristics.

Argentea Pendula (Argentea Pendula)

This variety has a conical crown shape. At the same time, its branches densely cover the trunk, and the lower tiers tend to the ground. This is a pretty small tree. By the age of 10, its height does not exceed 1.5-2 meters. In this case, the width of the plant is approximately 1 meter. During the year, the tree grows a maximum of 15-30 centimeters.

The needles of spruce of this variety reach 4 centimeters in length. It is characterized by elongated cones that are directed vertically upwards. They change their color - from purple-red to brown. To plant such a crop, you need to choose a sunny area that is protected from the wind. Spruce easily tolerates frost and the influence of polluted air. However, it cannot be planted in clay soil.

Blaukissen (Blue Kiss)

The name of this variety is due to the appearance of the plant. For a year, this culture grows a maximum of 3.5 centimeters. By the age of 10, the plant reaches a height of no more than 45 centimeters.It can be used to decorate rocky gardens. You need to plant the plant in soil that contains a lot of nutrients. The site should have good lighting and good drainage.

The size of the needles of the plant is 2-3 centimeters. They are gray-blue in color and square in shape. Also, the plant is characterized by brown cones.

Blue Trinket

Blue Trinket spruce is a compact blue spruce with a conical crown and moderate growth. After 10 years, the plant reaches a height of 2 meters. The maximum possible size is 6 meters. For a year, the culture grows by 5-8 centimeters. A distinctive feature of the variety is a high degree of resistance to low temperatures.

Spruce is required to be planted in the ground with a clod of earth. It thrives well in full sun. At the same time, the culture needs fertile and moist soil, which has high-quality drainage.Also, the plant can grow well in poorer soil. Blue Trinket is considered an excellent option for medium to large lots. The tree will be the perfect accent to a bright floral arrangement.

Frieda (Frida)

This variety is considered very short. Spruce is characterized by an extremely slow growth rate, which does not exceed 2-5 centimeters per year. By the age of 10, the size of the culture is 40x25 centimeters. Her needles look very attractive. It is coated with steel wax. In this case, the color of the needles varies from blue-green to gray-blue.

The plant has a dense compact crown that resembles a nest or has an irregular rounded shape. It consists of horizontal short branches. It is recommended to grow the Frida variety in well-lit areas. The culture is resistant to frost. At the same time, it is not too demanding on the composition of the soil and its moisture content.However, it is important to avoid waterlogged plantings.

Echiniformis (Echinoformis)

This is a small blue spruce that has a dense crown in the shape of a hemisphere. If you do not cut the plant, with age it will grow in different directions and become pillow-shaped. With the help of grafting on a low bole, it is possible to obtain a ball of the correct shape. Even by the age of 30, spruce does not exceed 60 centimeters in height. In this case, the crown has a diameter of 1 meter.

Echinoformis spruce is characterized by short shoots that grow radially from the central part of the shrub. Also, the culture has narrow bluish-green needles 5-7 millimeters long and no cones. When growing, the nutritional properties and lightness of the soil are of great importance. Also, do not over-moisten the soil. However, in general, Echinoformis is an undemanding crop.

Edith (Edith)

This short variety has a perfect conical crown. It is distinguished by a high degree of density due to thin needles that grow densely on branches. In the early years, blue spruce has a leading shoot, which eventually becomes the basis for the development of a regular, even crown. By the age of 10, spruce reaches a height of 1.5-2 meters. Further annual growth is 20-25 centimeters.

The plant is characterized by small cones 3-6 centimeters in size, which appear on trees 6-8 years old. In spring, they are pink in color, but gradually acquire a light brown hue. The Edith variety is considered to be resistant to frost and drought. It normally withstands air pollution. Even a small penumbra is suitable for growing crops. However, in a sunny area, the crown turns out to be more lush and acquires an attractive blue color.

GlaucaGlobosa (Glauca Globosa)

This is a very common low growing blue spruce. The tree is characterized by a crown in the form of a ball or cone. It is also asymmetrical. Moreover, in young trees, the crown is more like a loose ball. Only in adult plants does a leading shoot appear, which is characterized by more active development. It is the base for a more elongated crown. Also, systematic trimming allows you to keep the shape of the ball.

Glauka Globoza has a low growth rate. By the age of 10, the plant reaches 1 meter. However, it does not exceed 2-3 meters in height. The plant is characterized by rather hard needles of a silvery-blue hue. At the same time, young shoots are decorated with pale blue needles.

Male cones of the plant are characterized by a brownish-brown hue. In this case, the female fruits are initially red, and then become greenish.They may also have a light brown tint. Trees of this variety easily withstand air pollution. This makes it possible to plant them in city parks.

Glauca Pendula (Glauca Pendula)

This is a very unusual spruce, which is distinguished by a weeping crown. Due to the dense placement of hanging branches, a cascading effect is created. At the same time, the lower shoots practically lie on the ground.

The trunk of the tree, in fact, is missing. However, its functions can be performed by a strong escape, which is tied to a support. The plant is distinguished by dense blue needles, which retains a rich color throughout the season. However, when the crop is grown in open areas, it is possible to achieve a brighter color.

The height of the tree can be adjusted by tying and grafting. This helps to achieve various shapes and sizes. In small areas, the maximum tree height should be 3-5 meters.If spruce is not tied and low grafted, the crop can be grown as a groundcover. The variety is characterized by resistance to smoke and soot. In addition, it can withstand dry weather very well.

Hermann Naue

Spruces of this variety are characterized by a dense prickly crown. It has a cushion shape. With age, the tree more resembles a cone. By the age of 10, the plant usually reaches a height of 70 centimeters. Its diameter is 80-90 centimeters. Spruces of this variety do not have a central trunk. At the same time, they have short, stiff branches with gray-blue needles.

During fruiting, the tree is covered with many cones of a rich pink hue. As they dry, they acquire a light brown tint. Such a plant withstands summer drought and frost well.

Montgomery

This culture has a slow growth rate. For a year it grows a maximum of 5-6 centimeters. An adult spruce can reach 2-3 meters. Moreover, its diameter is 2 meters. The plant has silver-blue needles up to 20 millimeters in size. It turns bright blue with age.

Young cultures have a spherical crown. With age, it lengthens, turning into a wide cone. Sometimes several tops form on a tree. To obtain a dense crown of the desired shape, regular pruning should be carried out. It is recommended to do this before mid-summer.

Montgomery can be grown in shady places. However, in a well-lit area, it is possible to get a denser crown and make the needles brighter.

Niemetz (German)

This is a very attractive plant that has a crown in the form of a cone. Culture is characterized by average growth rates. By the age of 10, it reaches a height of 1 meter. In this case, the girth of the tree is 70-80 centimeters.

The needles that appear in early spring are creamy yellow in color. After a few weeks, it becomes bluish-silver and thickens. The female cones are red in color. After maturation, they turn green and turn brown. In order for the cultivation of spruce of this variety to be successful, it must be planted in a well-lit place. Good drainage and frequent irrigation are essential.

Nidiformis Kalous (Nidiformis Kalus)

This dwarf blue spruce was bred in the Czech Republic. In shape, its crown resembles a flattened cube or ball. The plant is characterized by short branches. The needles grow in length up to 2-3 centimeters. After 10 years, the culture grows to 50-70 centimeters. In this case, the width of the plant is 80 centimeters. For 1 year, the culture grows by a maximum of 5-10 centimeters.

Waldbrunn (Waldbrun)

This plant is characterized by rather slow development. However, its height does not exceed 80 centimeters. The culture is characterized by a rounded spreading crown, in the center of which there is a recess. As it grows, it disappears, and the crown acquires a conical shape. To achieve greater symmetry, the central shoot must be tied to a support.

Short branches are characterized by horizontal development and a high degree of density. The young needles are distinguished by a rich blue tint, but over time it acquires a silver-gray color. At the same time, the tree is distinguished by soft needles up to 1.5 centimeters in size.

Ruby Teardrops

This dwarf variety has an unusual name due to the presence of bright red buds that contrast with rich blue needles. They retain their hue for 2 months, after which they turn greenish and then brown.

Annual growth of branches reaches 5-10 centimeters. By the age of 10, the culture grows up to 1 meter. Moreover, its diameter is 1.5 meters. The variety is considered very unpretentious. In addition, it is resistant to frost. However, the tree does not tolerate stagnant moisture and high soil density.

Sanders Blue

This culture is often used in landscape design. This is due to the presence of a conical crown. For 1 year, the plant increases by a maximum of 5-7 centimeters. By the age of 10, the height of the culture is 70-100 centimeters. Immediately after the appearance of the needles has a pale blue tint, but by July it turns green. Thanks to this, the trees acquire an interesting spotted color. More details at the link.

Blue dwarf spruces are very attractive plants that are often used in landscape design. To grow these crops successfully, it is important to provide them with the right care.

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