Posted by Robert Cox, CSU Extension - Arapahoe County
Dwarf Alberta spruce, aka Dwarf White spruce (Picea glauca ‘Conica’) has been planted
in Colorado landscapes for many years. People
like its formal appearance, perfect form, and reluctance to grow more than 10
feet tall.
It was found in Alberta, Canada as a naturally-occurring
dwarf in 1904. Since its introduction
into the nursery trade it has become widely propagated and widely sold. Dwarf Alberta spruce has become “the”
conifer to plant in containers.
Dwarf Alberta spruce, whether in containers or in-ground,
often “winterburns” in Colorado…the result of wildly-fluctuating winter
temperatures or dryness caused by winds, dry soils and low humidity.
Some Dwarf Alberta spruces can develop an alter-ego...they may
decide that it’s no longer cool to be small, so they develop “reversion
shoots”. These reversion shoots want
to grow up to become a full size white spruce.
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| Reversion shoot |
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Reversion shoots |
If one of these uppity little spruces tries reverting in your yard, just prune out that shoot at its origin on the stem/trunk. Or, let it grow out to become a neighborhood conversation piece.
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| Photo courtesy Tony Koski |
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