Norway spruce 'Little Gem' Picea abies 'Little Gem'
ABOUT
'Little Gem' is a very slow-growing evergreen conifer forming a squat, globose bun with short, dense, dark green needle-like leaves, the new growth in spring brighter green
About this plant
NamesSynonyms
Little Gem Norway Spruce, Dwarf Norway Spruce.
Common names
Picea excelsa 'Little Gem', Picea abies 'Clanbrassiliana Nana', Picea abies 'Formanek', Picea abies 'Gregoryana Parsonii', Picea abies 'Pumila', Picea abies 'Pygmaea'
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Green
Height
1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
Spread
2-3 feet (60-90 cm)
Plant type
Shrub
Hardiness zones
3-8
Native area
Europe
Benefits
General Benefits- Compact Growth - Picea abies 'Little Gem', commonly known as Norway Spruce 'Little Gem', has a small, compact growth habit making it ideal for use in smaller gardens or spaces.
- Easy to Maintain - This dwarf conifer requires minimal pruning, making it low maintenance and well-suited for busy gardeners.
- Year-Round Interest - With its evergreen foliage, Norway Spruce 'Little Gem' provides color and interest in the garden throughout all seasons.
- Windbreak - Due to its dense growth, it can serve as a protective windbreak in the landscape, particularly in smaller settings.
- Wildlife Habitat - It offers shelter and nesting opportunities for birds and other wildlife.
- Soil Erosion Control - The root system can help prevent soil erosion by stabilizing the ground in which it is planted.
- Drought Tolerance - Once established, this conifer can be quite drought-tolerant, requiring less frequent watering.
- Adaptability - Norway Spruce 'Little Gem' is adaptable to a range of soil types, although it prefers well-drained soil conditions.
- Ornamental Value - Its unique form and texture add ornamental value to the landscape, making it a pleasing addition for aesthetic purposes.
- Resistant to Cold - This plant is hardy and can withstand cold climates, making it suitable for northern gardens.
Medical Properties- This plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Accents in Model Railroads: Picea abies 'Little Gem', also known as Norway spruce, can be used to create realistic miniature trees in model railroad displays, providing naturalistic scenery.
- Bonsai: Due to their small size and slow growth rate, these miniature trees can be cultivated as bonsai, allowing enthusiasts to practice the art of bonsai with a conifer species.
- Fairy Gardens: Norway spruce 'Little Gem' is often incorporated into fairy gardens for its compact, dwarf form, adding a touch of enchanted forest to the miniature landscapes.
- Photography Props: This plant can be used as a prop in close-up photography to simulate larger forest scenes or to add greenery to product photos.
- Educational Tools: In schools, they can be used to teach children about plant growth and development due to their manageable size and distinct coniferous characteristics.
- Crafts and Decorations: The small branches can be trimmed and used in wreaths or other holiday decorations, bringing a natural element to home decor.
- Stress Reduction: Caring for 'Little Gem' Norway spruce can be a relaxing hobby that helps reduce stress through the nurturing of living plants.
- Sound Absorption: When planted in groups, these small trees can help absorb and reduce noise pollution in small urban gardens.
- Desk Plants: Their compact size makes them suitable for growing in small containers on desks or in offices, where space for plants is limited.
- Theme Gardens: 'Little Gem' can be used in thematic gardens, such as a miniature Christmas tree in a winter or holiday-themed garden display.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Norway spruce is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Plant Symbolism- Resilience: The Norway Spruce, being an evergreen tree, symbolizes resilience as it retains its needles all year round, embodying the idea of perseverance and enduring tough conditions.
- Growth: This variety of spruce, although miniature, signifies growth and personal development, representing the potential for greatness from small beginnings.
- Protection: Traditionally, spruce trees have been believed to possess protective qualities, safeguarding against negative energy and symbolizing a safe haven.
- Renewal: Evergreens like the Norway Spruce are often associated with renewal and the cyclical nature of life, as they stay green and lively even through the cold winter months.
- Longevity: The 'Little Gem' spruce, like other spruces, can live for many years, symbolizing longevity and a life well-lived.
- Festivity: Often used as Christmas trees, they bring with them the symbolism of celebration, joy, and the spirit of the holiday season.
WaterA 'Little Gem' Spruce requires watering with moderate frequency to maintain slightly moist soil, particularly during dry periods. Typically, a young or potted 'Little Gem' Spruce should be watered with about 1 gallon of water per watering session each week when there is no significant rainfall. As it matures and establishes a deeper root system, the frequency can decrease, and the plant will be more drought-tolerant. Ensure water penetrates the root zone by applying it directly to the base and avoiding wetting the foliage to prevent fungal diseases. During the winter months, reduce watering as the plant enters dormancy and the evaporation rates are lower.
LightThe 'Little Gem' Spruce thrives best in full sun to partial shade. It should be planted in a spot where it receives at least 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. An area with morning sun and afternoon shade can help prevent stress during the hottest parts of the summer.
Temperature'Little Gem' Spruce is hardy and can tolerate a range of temperatures, surviving in zones as cold as 3, which corresponds to minimum temperatures of -30 to -40 degrees Fahrenheit. They thrive best in cool to moderate climates with temperatures ideally remaining between 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. These trees can withstand occasional heat waves and cold snaps outside of these ranges but prefer a consistent cool climate.
Pruning'Little Gem' Spruce generally requires minimal pruning, which is usually done to shape the plant or remove any damaged or diseased branches. The best time to prune is in late winter or early spring before new growth starts. Prune as necessary to maintain its desired form, cutting back to a lateral branch or bud. Pruning more than once a year is seldom needed unless you're shaping the spruce for ornamental purposes.
CleaningAs needed
SoilNorway Spruce 'Little Gem' thrives best in moist, well-draining soil with a pH range of 5.5 to 7.0. A mix of garden soil, peat moss, and perlite or sand would provide good aeration and moisture retention. Avoid soil that is too compacted or has a high clay content which can lead to waterlogging.
RepottingNorway Spruce 'Little Gem' is a slow-growing dwarf conifer and does not need to be repotted often. Repotting every 3 to 5 years should be sufficient, ensuring that the container is only slightly larger than the previous one to prevent overwatering.
Humidity & MistingNorway Spruce 'Little Gem' does well in average humidity levels typical of outdoor conditions. It does not have specific humidity requirements and can tolerate the natural fluctuations of outdoor environments quite well.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place 'Little Gem' in bright, indirect light and cool temperature.
Outdoor
Plant in well-drained soil, full sun, and protect from strong winds.
Hardiness zone
2-8 USDA
Life cycleThe common name of Picea abies 'Little Gem' is Norway Spruce 'Little Gem'. The cycle begins with seed germination, where the seeds require a period of cold stratification to break dormancy and germinate successfully, typically in the spring. After germination, the seedling stage is characterized by slow growth as the plant establishes its root system and begins to develop its characteristic needle-like leaves. As it matures into the sapling stage, 'Little Gem' grows at a faster rate, eventually reaching its mature height of 1-2 feet and width of 2-3 feet, significantly smaller than the species norm due to its dwarf nature. During the reproductive stage, mature 'Little Gem' spruces produce cones that are pollinated by the wind, leading to the development of seeds that are then dispersed to start a new generation. This cultivar is relatively long-lived, with a lifespan that can extend many decades if grown in optimal conditions.
PropogationPropogation time
Early Spring
The most popular method of propagating Norway spruce 'Little Gem' is through semi-hardwood cuttings. This technique is generally performed in late summer. You select a healthy branch of the current year's growth and cut a piece about 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 centimeters) long. The cutting should have several sets of needles. Strip the lower third of needles to expose the nodes where roots will form, and dip this end in a rooting hormone to facilitate root development. Then, plant the cutting in a mix of peat and perlite, making sure that the removed needles are below the surface of the substrate. The cutting needs to be kept in high humidity, with temperatures around 70°F (21°C), until roots have formed, which can take several weeks to a few months.
