Dwarf Alberta Spruce
Picea glauca 'Conica'
A slow-growing, highly symmetrical conifer featuring a dense, conical growth habit with fine, soft green needles.
- Light
- Full sun to partial shade, requiring at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.
- Water
- Water deeply when the top inch of soil feels dry. Drought tolerance is low when container-grown; avoid letting the root system dry out completely.
- Growth
- Evergreen tree with a slow growth rate, typically maturing to 6 to 10 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide in a tight conical shape.
Care instructions
Provide full sun to partial shade, water regularly to keep the soil consistently moist without waterlogging, use well-draining acidic soil, and apply a balanced slow-release fertilizer in early spring.
Growing details
Sunlight
Full sun to partial shade, requiring at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.
Watering
Water deeply when the top inch of soil feels dry. Drought tolerance is low when container-grown; avoid letting the root system dry out completely.
Soil
Prefers rich, evenly moist, well-draining loam or sandy soil with an acidic to neutral pH range of 6.0 to 7.0.
Hardiness zone
USDA Hardiness Zones 3 through 8.
Growth habit
Evergreen tree with a slow growth rate, typically maturing to 6 to 10 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide in a tight conical shape.
Bloom season
Non-flowering
Propagation
Propagated primarily through semi-hardwood cuttings taken in late summer or through grafting onto rootstocks, as growing from seed does not reliably produce the cultivar traits.
Common pests & issues
Susceptible to spider mites, particularly in hot and dry conditions, as well as needle cast diseases brought on by poor air circulation and excessive humidity.
Similar species
Similar to standard White Spruce (Picea glauca), but distinguished by its much smaller mature size, exceptionally dense branching, and strictly dwarf conical form.