Other Names:  Silver Spruce, White Spruce, Mountain Spruce

Description:

A dwarf, upright, compact, pyramidal selection with horizontal to lightly ascending branches from a strong central leader; features short, thin, blue-gray needles; a great accent for smaller landscape areas

Ornamental Features

Compact Engelmann 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 foliage with hints of grayish green which emerges powder blue in spring. The small needles are highly ornamental and remain silvery blue throughout the winter. The brown fruits are held in cones from late summer to late fall. The fruit can be messy if allowed to drop on the lawn or walkways, and may require occasional clean-up. The rough brick red bark adds an interesting dimension to the landscape.

Landscape Attributes

Compact Engelmann 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.

Compact Engelmann Spruce is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Hedges/Screening
• General Garden Use

Planting & Growing

Compact Engelmann Spruce will grow to be about 7 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 4 feet. It has a low canopy, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 70 years or more.

This shrub should only be grown in full sunlight. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist growing conditions, but will not tolerate any standing water. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This is a selection of a native North American species.