Overview
Picea jezoensis is a bushy conifers in the genus Picea, part of the Pinaceae family, with evergreen foliage. Picea jezoensis grows best in full sun, and tolerates most soils and acid and neutral pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H7. Suggested uses include rock garden, city and courtyard gardens, gravel garden and patio and container plants.
About
Picea jezoensis (sometimes misspelled Picea yezoensis), the dark-bark spruce, Ezo spruce, Yezo spruce, or Jezo spruce, is a large evergreen tree growing to 30–50 m tall and with a trunk diameter of up to 2 m. It is native to northeast Asia, from the mountains of central Japan and the Changbai Mountains on the China-North Korea border, north to eastern Siberia, including the Sikhote-Alin, Kuril Islands, Sakhalin and Kamchatka. It is found in cold but humid temperate rain forests, and nowhere does its range extend more than 400 km from the Pacific Ocean. The specific epithet jezoensis derives from Ezo, an old name for Hokkaido and other islands north of the Japanese island of Honshu, where the species is found. In the garden it prefers full sun and most soil types. In UK gardens it is fully hardy throughout the UK (RHS H7). Suggested uses include rock garden, city and courtyard gardens, gravel garden and patio and container plants.
Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Picea jezoensis
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Picea
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing, East-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H7
Plant details
Picea jezoensis size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Conifers, Shrubs
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Suggested uses
- Rock garden, City and courtyard gardens, Gravel garden, Patio and container plants
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Picea jezoensis
- Propagation
- Propagate by grafting or semi-hardwood cuttings
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to adelgids, red spider mite and conifer aphid
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to honey fungus
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Picea jezoensis?
Picea jezoensis prefers full sun. It suits exposed and sheltered positions.
What soil does Picea jezoensis need?
Picea jezoensis is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including clay, loam and sand. It prefers acid and neutral soil. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained.
Is Picea jezoensis hardy in the UK?
Picea jezoensis has an RHS hardiness rating of H7, meaning it is fully hardy throughout the UK, tolerating temperatures below -20°C.
How do I propagate Picea jezoensis?
Propagate by grafting or semi-hardwood cuttings.
More in the Picea genus
- Picea abies 'Ceejay's Gem'
- Picea abies 'Cincinnata'Norway spruce 'Cincinnata'
- Picea abies 'Gold Nugget'
- Picea abies 'Hank's Flare Star'
- Picea abies 'Honey Pot'
- Picea abies 'Norrköping'
- Picea abies 'Pendula Major'
- Picea abies 'Punahilkka'