Cupressina Columnar Norway Spruce

Picea abies ‘Cupressina‘

Plant Details

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 3a-7b (East – Hot Climates); 3a-9b (West – Cool Climates) Find Your Zone

Plant Type: Coniferous Evergreen Tree

Height at Maturity: 10-12′ at 10 years age; 25-30’+ at maturity

Width at Maturity: 2.5′ at base at 10 years of age; 6-8′ at base at maturity

Spacing: Best as specimen, or two to frame an entryway, or three spaced 10’+ in a grouping

Growth Habit / Form: Upright Column

Growth Rate: Moderate; 8-12″ per year

Foliage Color: Dark Green; Blue-green in winter

Fragrant Foliage: Yes

Sun Needs: Full Sun or Part Shade

Water Needs: Average to Low when established

Soil Type: Clay (amend heavy clay to ensure good drainage), Loam, Sand (amend quick draining soil for moisture retention), Silt

Soil Drainage: Moist to Damp But Well Drained

Soil pH: 6.0 – 7.5

Maintenance / Care: Low

Attracts: Visual Attention

Resistances: Cold (-40F), Deer, Disease, Drought (moderate when established), Insect

Description

A majestic and statuesque coniferous evergreen perfect for providing height where space is limited, the Columnar Norway Spruce (Picea abies ‘Cupressina’) is a unique, slender form that reaches 25 to 30 feet tall and only 6 to 8 feet wide at its base when all grown up. This makes it perfect for planting in those tight spaces in landscape borders and home foundation plantings. Evergreen needles are densely packed with lighter green new growth that ages to dark green with a bluish cast during winter. Slender brown cones are also very attractive. Low maintenance and exceptionally cold-hardy to -40F while also being more heat and humidity tolerant than other Norway Spruce varieties. Snow loads are not a problem and there’s no need for pruning as it naturally maintains the dense and narrow form all on its own.

Landscape & Garden Uses

The Cupressina Columnar Norway Spruce is ideal for use as a vertical accent in sunny to partially shaded small to medium size landscape or garden spaces. Also excellent to frame entryways or fill those narrow spaces where some height is needed in tall home foundation plantings. Also suited for use in containers. A fine addition to conifer gardens, rock gardens formal gardens and Asian theme gardens.

Suggested Spacing: Best as specimen, or use two to frame an entryway, or use three spaced 10 feet apart in a grouping

Growing Preferences

The Columnar Norway Spruce is easy to grow in a damp to moist but well-drained soil of average fertility. As with so many other conifers, constantly soggy or wet soils can be problematic; leading to root rot or other harmful plant diseases. So make sure to plant this one in well-drained soil, whether in the ground or in pots. It grows well in full sun to part shade. We suggest at least 5 hours of direct sunlight per day. Does not grow well below Zone 7b in the South but will grow fine in Zone 8 in cool-summer western and northern climates. No pruning is required however a damaged or stray branch can be removed when needed.

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