About
Picea glauca, the white spruce, is a large, conical, coniferous tree to 50 m with ash-grey bark and pointed, blue-green needles. Ovoid, green then light-brown seed cones to 6 cm long are produced. A handsome and ornamental conifer for a sheltered, sunny garden.
About the genus
Picea, the spruces, are evergreen trees with rigid, needle-like leaves arranged singly all round the shoots and narrow, leathery-scaled cones borne near the ends of the shoots. A large genus of ornamental conifers ranging from large trees to compact dwarf cultivars.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeClay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectEast-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH7
Plant details
Plant typeConifers, Trees
HabitColumnar upright
FoliageEvergreen
HeightHigher than 12 metres
Spreadwider than 8 metres
Time to full height20-50 years
Suggested usesArchitectural
Native toCanada, Northern USA
Care notes
CultivationGrow in any deep, moist but well-drained, ideally neutral to acid soil in full sun. See conifer cultivation for more advice
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by seed, grafting or hardwood cuttings
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to adelgids, red spider mite and conifer aphid
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to honey fungus