Overview
Picea obovata is a bushy conifers in the genus Picea, part of the Pinaceae family, with evergreen foliage. Picea obovata 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 obovata, the Siberian spruce, is a spruce native to Siberia, from the Ural Mountains east to Magadan Oblast, and from the Arctic tree line south to the Altay Mountains in northwestern Mongolia. It is a medium-sized evergreen tree growing to 15–35 m tall, and with a trunk diameter of up to 1.5 m, and a conical crown with drooping branchlets. The shoots are orange-brown, with variably scattered to dense pubescence. The cones are cylindric-conic, 5–10 cm long and 1.5–2 cm broad, green or purple, maturing glossy brown 4–6 months after pollination, and have stiff, smoothly rounded scales. 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. It tolerates acid and neutral soils, moist but well-drained conditions and south-facing, west-facing and east-facing aspects.
Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Picea obovata
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 obovata 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 obovata
- 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 obovata?
Picea obovata prefers full sun. It suits exposed and sheltered positions.
What soil does Picea obovata need?
Picea obovata 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 obovata hardy in the UK?
Picea obovata 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 obovata?
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'