Inverse Spruce: tree description, planting and care, application in landscape design

Spruce variety Inversa is an ornamental weeping plant that has hanging branches and dark green needles. The culture is considered very unpretentious to care and has a high degree of resistance to frost. Another important feature is the unusual appearance. That is why spruce of this variety is often used in landscape design. In order for the plant to develop normally, it needs to provide full and high-quality care.

History and description of the variety

Spruce Inversa is a weeping variety of Norway spruce. It was first identified in Shropshire, England. This happened in 1884. The name of the plant is associated with a special "inverted" shape. In this case, the shoots are not directed upwards, as usual, but downwards.

The Inverse spruce is characterized by an unusual weeping shape, which has a drooping top and long hanging branches. The plant has thick shiny needles. In this case, the size of the needles reaches 2 centimeters.

Young shoots are bright green and stand out against darker, older branches. Cones also have a very decorative green color with a purple tint. The tree is also characterized by brown-red buds and a blunt shape. The bark has a rich color in the form of thin plates.

The maximum height of spruce is 8 meters. In this case, the diameter of the crown is 2-2.5 meters. The plant can grow as a tree or shrub. It is often grown on stems. The herringbone is plastic. From the crown, which in appearance resembles a stack of snow, various shapes are formed.

Tree characteristics

Dangling spruce has no trunk and has drooping weeping branches. Only some plants have a weak central shoot, which is densely covered with knots. The branches are adjacent to the center of the plant. In this case, the lower shoots are located on the surface of the soil.

The crown has a columnar shape. If not pruned, spruce will develop unevenly. In the first years of life, the plant is characterized by slow development. For 1 year it increases by 12-20 centimeters. By the age of 10, the tree rarely reaches 1 meter in height. Development accelerates in adulthood.

Like many other conifers, the Inverse spruce is a monoecious plant. This means that male and female cones grow on the same tree. Female specimens have a bright red tint and resemble candles. Male spikelets grow at the ends of side branches. Spruce pollination occurs in late spring or early summer. The pollen grains of the plant are considered not too volatile. However, they are still carried by the wind for several kilometers.

Inverse spruce lives on average 150 years. Culture has become widespread in the European part of Russia. It can be found in mixed and spruce forests.The plant has a compact crown size. Therefore, it can be planted in small areas. In this case, single or group landings are allowed. The tree looks great in compositions and in rock gardens. Reproduction of the plant is carried out by cuttings and seed method. It can also be done with seedlings.

Fit features

To keep the weeping spruce from losing its decorative effect, you should follow the rules for planting.

How to choose a seedling

For planting a plant, it is best to choose ordinary seedlings from a nursery. It is important that they have a closed root system and are grown in containers. To check the quality of planting material, it is worth carefully turning the container over. If the soil crumbles, then the seedling has been planted in it recently.

You should also pay attention to the structure of the branches. It is important that they bend and be sufficiently elastic.There can be no mechanical damage on the shoots. In this case, the needles should have bright needles. The younger the seedling, the easier it will be for it to take root and survive the transplant. Of great importance is the diameter of the earthen coma. It must be at least 50 centimeters.

How to plant

Inverse Spruce thrives well in fresh and moist soil that contains sufficient nutrients. In this case, the pH parameters are not of particular importance. It is best to give preference to sandy-clay soil, which contains quite a lot of humus. It is important to avoid wetlands or too dense soil.

When planting spruce, you should follow these rules:

1. Dig a hole 10-15 centimeters below the root collar. This is required for laying the drainage layer. The hole should be made a few centimeters larger than the root system.
2. Place drainage at the bottom of the recess. Its functions are performed by crushed brick or crushed stone.
3. Carefully pull the seedling out of the container. Place it in a recess and sprinkle with soil.
4. Water the plant generously.
5. If necessary, fertilize and spray the crop from pathologies and pests.

Care Requirements

After planting, the tree needs careful care. Particular attention should be paid to the crown. Equally important is the full protection against diseases and pests.

Irrigation

Adult culture easily withstands dry weather for several weeks. A young tree needs watering. If they are not carried out, there is a risk of death of the culture. This is especially true when planting a plant in winter.

Spruce of this variety must be actively watered in the first season after planting in open soil. At the same time, it is important to ensure that water does not fall on the needles.To avoid surface root rot, a layer of mulch is required to help absorb excess moisture. To do this, you can use needles, bark and sawdust.

The same helps to improve the composition of the soil near the spruce root system. If the trunk circle is not mulched, the gardener will need to loosen the soil around the crop all the time.

Loosening

The soil needs to be periodically loosened. Thanks to this procedure, it will be possible to achieve the following results:

• improve air flow to the root system;
• remove weeds.

It is important to take into account that the roots of spruce are very close to the surface of the soil. Therefore, they need to provide a constant flow of air. This will ensure the full development of the tree.

Feeding

This variety of spruce is considered not too demanding for fertilization. However, sometimes nutrients are still worth using. At least once a year, it is recommended to feed the crop with organic or chemical compounds.

Cutting

In order for the spruce to grow upward, one shoot needs to be guided and tied up. The rest of the branches hang down to the ground. To give the spruce the desired shape, the falling shoots need to be pinched. After the completion of the garter of the trunk, growth will stop. In this case, the main shoot will also wilt. After reaching the required height, the branch should be cut. Thanks to this, the side branches will develop better.

Protection from the cold

For the winter, it is recommended to sprinkle the tree trunk with peat. The thickness of this layer should be 3-5 centimeters. Sometimes a tree is insulated with branches of other conifers. This is usually required only for young crops.

Threats to Spruce

Despite the resistance of spruce to diseases, sometimes it still suffers from infections.Schutte is considered the most dangerous fungal strain. When infected, the needles turn brown and crumble. Spruce is also susceptible to gray mold. The reasons for its appearance are considered high humidity and thickening of the shoots. To cope with pathologies, it is required to apply fungicides.

Inversa Spruce is a common ornamental plant that is easy to care for. This makes the culture very popular among summer residents and landscape designers.

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