About
Picea wilsonii, Wilson's spruce, is a large, slow-growing coniferous tree to 40 m with grey bark flaking in irregular plates. It bears dark-green, needle-like leaves and individual pale-grey young shoots. The mature seed cones are light brown to 8 cm long. 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 shade
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
Spread4-8 metres
Time to full heightMore than 50 years
Suggested usesArchitectural
Native toChina
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