About
A large and vigorous conifer, forming a conical tree to 30m tall. It has fissured, scaly grey bark and grey-green needles arranged on stout, pale brown shoots. It produces cylindrical, bright reddish-purple seed cones that become brown and woody as they mature.
About the genus
Picea 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
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
Spread2.5-4 metres
Time to full height20-50 years
Suggested usesArchitectural
Native toSW China
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