Alberta Blue Dwarf Spruce
Picea glauca 'Alberta Blue'
Height: 6 feet
Spread: 3 feet
Sunlight:
Hardiness Zone: 4a
Description:
An improved cold hardy selection with striking silvery blue foliage that does not revert back to green; very slow growing plant in a tight conical form makes it virtually maintenance free; an outstanding color accent in the landscape
Ornamental Features
Alberta Blue Dwarf Spruce is a dwarf conifer which is primarily valued in the landscape or garden for its distinctively pyramidal habit of growth. It has attractive silvery blue evergreen foliage which emerges light green in spring. The needles are highly ornamental and remain silvery blue throughout the winter.
Landscape Attributes
Alberta Blue Dwarf Spruce is a dense multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with a distinctive and refined pyramidal form. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other landscape plants with less refined foliage.
This is a relatively low maintenance shrub. When pruning is necessary, it is recommended to only trim back the new growth of the current season, other than to remove any dieback. It has no significant negative characteristics.
Alberta Blue Dwarf Spruce is recommended for the following landscape applications;
- Accent
- General Garden Use
Planting & Growing
Alberta Blue Dwarf Spruce will grow to be about 6 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 3 feet. It tends to fill out right to the ground and therefore doesn't necessarily require facer plants in front, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 50 years or more.
This shrub does best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution, and will benefit from being planted in a relatively sheltered location. This is a selection of a native North American species.
