About
Picea omorika, the Serbian spruce, is a graceful, slender, evergreen conifer of narrowly conical habit with dark foliage � whitish beneath � in drooping sprays curving upwards at the tips. One of the most elegant and garden-worthy of all spruces for a sheltered, sunny or partly shaded 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, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectNorth-facing, West-facing, South-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
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 toBosnia, Serbia
Care notes
CultivationGrow in moist but well-drained soil. Will tolerate alkaline soils. Shelter from cold drying winds. See conifer cultivation for more advice
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by seed or semi-hardwood cuttings
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to adelgids, red spider mite and conifer aphid
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to honey fungus