Dwarf Alberta Spruce Picea glauca var. albertiana 'Conica'
ABOUT
The plant known as the Dwarf Alberta Spruce has a unique and easily recognizable appearance. It features a dense, cone-shaped form that is meticulously symmetrical, giving it an almost perfect pyramid shape. The foliage consists of fine, tiny needles that offer a soft texture to the touch. The color of these needles is a stunning blue-green hue that maintains its vibrancy throughout the year, providing an enduring splash of cool color in the landscape. The branch structure is tight and compact, which contributes to the dense appearance of the plant, with branches that emerge from the trunk in concentric circles, creating a neat and orderly visual. The Dwarf Alberta Spruce exudes an elegance that makes it a favorite for use in formal garden settings or as a charming accent in home landscapes.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Pinaceae
Synonyms
Alberta White Spruce, White Spruce, Dwarf Alberta Spruce, Conical Spruce
Common names
Picea glauca 'Conica', Picea glauca var. albertiana 'Conica', Picea albertiana 'Conica'.
ToxicityTo humans
The Dwarf Alberta Spruce is generally considered non-toxic to humans. There are no significant symptoms of poisoning associated with this plant as it is not known to be poisonous if ingested or touched. However, as with many plants, individual allergies or sensitivities could cause reactions in some people.
To pets
The Dwarf Alberta Spruce is also not known to be toxic to pets. It does not contain substances known to cause poisoning in animals. Therefore, ingestion of parts of this plant should not cause significant symptoms or toxic effects in pets. However, ingestion of non-food items can lead to gastrointestinal discomfort or blockages.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Green
Height
6-8 feet (1.8-2.4 meters)
Spread
2-4 feet (0.6-1.2 meters)
Plant type
Tree
Hardiness zones
2-6
Native area
North America
Benefits
General Benefits- Ornamental Value: Picea glauca 'Conica', commonly known as Dwarf Alberta Spruce, is prized for its conical shape and dense, fine-textured foliage which provides aesthetic appeal in landscapes.
- Compact Size: Its small stature makes it suitable for use in smaller gardens or spaces where a full-sized spruce would be too large.
- Cold Hardy: This plant is well-adapted to cold climates, making it a sturdy choice for northern regions.
- Low Maintenance: Dwarf Alberta Spruce requires relatively little maintenance once established and does well without the need for frequent pruning or shaping.
- Year-Round Interest: It retains its foliage and maintains its color throughout the year, offering consistent visual interest in all seasons.
- Wildlife Habitat: The dense foliage provides cover for birds and other wildlife, offering a safe haven within a garden setting.
- Suitable for Containers: Due to its slow-growing nature, it can thrive in containers for many years, making it an excellent choice for decks, patios, or terraces.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Dwarf Alberta Spruce topiary displays in formal gardens, can be trimmed into geometric shapes or even animal figures due to its dense foliage and slow growth.
- Miniature Christmas trees for holiday celebrations, often used as tabletop decorations because of their perfect conical shape that resembles a traditional Christmas tree.
- Model landscaping for train sets and architectural models, they are ideal for creating realistic miniature scenes due to their small size and evergreen appearance.
- Living Christmas cards, where they can be decorated and delivered to friends and family during the holiday season as a sustainable alternative to paper cards.
- Bonsai cultivation, as their small size and slow growth make them suitable candidates for bonsai techniques.
- Children's gardening projects, because they are hardy and manageable, making them an excellent choice for educational purposes.
- Focal point in rock gardens, where they can provide year-round greenery contrasted against the colors and textures of rocks and alpine plants.
- Background plants in terrariums for creating scale in miniature ecosystems, their conical shape can add depth and interest.
- Winter interest in the garden, as their foliage remains green and vibrant against the backdrop of snow.
- Windbreaks in small home gardens, when planted in rows, their dense foliage can provide a degree of shielding against wind.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Dwarf Alberta Spruce is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Dwarf Alberta Spruce is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Resilience: The Picea glauca var. albertiana 'Conica', commonly known as Dwarf Alberta Spruce, is a hardy plant capable of withstanding cold climates, representing the ability to endure and adapt to tough conditions.
- Longevity: As a species of evergreen, the Dwarf Alberta Spruce symbolizes long life and immortality because it retains its foliage throughout the year.
- Purity: The evergreen nature and consistent green color of the Dwarf Alberta Spruce are often associated with purity and cleanliness.
- Peace and Serenity: The soft texture and conical shape of the Dwarf Alberta Spruce can evoke a sense of calm and tranquility, making it a symbol of peace.
- Growth: Although a dwarf variety, the Dwarf Alberta Spruce is still a growing tree, symbolizing personal growth and development over time.
WaterFor Dwarf Alberta Spruce, it is crucial to maintain consistent moisture in the soil without overwatering. During the growing season, water the plant deeply once a week, providing about one to two gallons depending on the size and weather conditions, more in hot, dry weather, and less in cool, damp conditions. The goal is to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. In the winter, reduce watering but do not allow the soil to completely dry out. It is best to water early in the morning to allow foliage to dry before nightfall.
LightDwarf Alberta Spruce thrives in full sun to partial shade. It performs best when it receives at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight daily. The ideal spot would be a location where the plant is exposed to the morning sun and has some protection from the intense afternoon heat, especially in hotter climates.
TemperatureDwarf Alberta Spruce favors cold climates and is hardy in a range of temperatures. It can tolerate winter lows down to -40 degrees Fahrenheit, but the ideal growing temperature is between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit during the day. Summer temperatures exceeding 75 degrees Fahrenheit may stress the plant, especially if night temperatures do not drop significantly.
PruningPruning Dwarf Alberta Spruce is generally done to maintain its shape or remove damaged or diseased branches. The best time to prune is in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Light pruning can also be done throughout the growing season to remove any undesired growth. It’s not typically necessary to prune annually, but occasional shaping helps maintain the desired conical form.
CleaningAs needed
SoilThe Dwarf Alberta Spruce prefers a well-draining soil mix with a slightly acidic to neutral pH of 6.0 to 7.0. A mix of peat, sand, and loamy garden soil is ideal to ensure proper drainage and aeration. Amend the soil with organic matter to improve nutrient content.
RepottingDwarf Alberta Spruces are slow-growing and typically require repotting every 3 to 4 years. It's best to repot in the spring before new growth starts, using the aforementioned soil mixture to ensure optimal health and growth.
Humidity & MistingDwarf Alberta Spruce thrives in moderate humidity levels typical of outdoor environments. Indoors, ensuring good ventilation and avoiding overly dry air will suffice, as too high humidity can encourage fungal diseases.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Grow in cool room with bright, indirect light.
Outdoor
Needs full sun, well-drained soil, cold winter.
Hardiness zone
2-6 USDA
Life cyclePicea glauca var. albertiana 'Conica', commonly known as the Dwarf Alberta Spruce, begins its life as a seed, typically requiring a period of cold stratification to break dormancy. Once germinated, the seedling gradually develops into a young tree through the juvenile phase, producing a conical shape with dense, needle-like leaves. As it matures, the tree enters the vegetative stage, characterized by continuous growth in height and girth; during this phase, it remains small and compact compared to other spruce varieties. As the tree reaches reproductive maturity, it produces cones; male cones shed pollen, which fertilizes female cones leading to the production of seeds. The tree continues to grow and reproduce annually, maintaining its dense, conical shape, which is often accentuated through pruning in a cultivated setting. Finally, after many years, the Dwarf Alberta Spruce reaches senescence, where growth slows and it eventually dies, completing its life cycle.
PropogationPropogation time
Late summer
Propogation: The most popular method of propagating the Dwarf Alberta Spruce, or Picea glauca var. albertiana 'Conica', is through semi-hardwood cuttings. This involves taking cuttings from the plant's current year's growth during the late summer or early fall, when the needles have matured. The bottom inch of each cutting should be stripped of needles and dipped in rooting hormone to encourage root development. These cuttings are then planted in a mixture of peat and perlite and kept under high humidity and indirect light until they root, which may take several weeks. Consistent moisture and temperatures of around 70°F (21°C) are critical for successful rooting. Once rooted, the cuttings can be gradually acclimated to less humid conditions and eventually potted up or planted out in the garden.
