What hardiness zones is Picea abies 'Pendula' suitable for?

Picea abies 'Pendula' is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.

What are the sun requirements for Picea abies 'Pendula'?

Picea abies 'Pendula' requires Full Sun.

How much water does Picea abies 'Pendula' need?

Picea abies 'Pendula' has Medium water needs.

Picea abies 'Pendula', Weeping Norway Spruce

1 / 2

Coniferous Shrubs

Picea abies 'Pendula'

Weeping Norway Spruce

Pinaceae

Cultivar of European origin; species native to northern and central Europe

At a Glance

TypeShrub

HabitTrailing

FoliageEvergreen

Height2–20 feet (0.6–6 m) depending on training

Width3–20 feet (0.9–6 m)

Maturity18 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

3 - 8

Zone 3

Zone 4

Zone 5

Zone 6

Zone 7

Zone 8

These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.

Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Deer Resistant

Maintenancemoderate

Overview

Picea abies 'Pendula' is a weeping cultivar of Norway spruce with strongly pendulous branches that hang nearly vertically along a central leader. Height and form depend largely on training: staked specimens form narrow columns reaching 10–20 feet (3–6 m) tall and 3–5 feet (0.9–1.5 m) wide; unstaked specimens crawl along the ground, spreading 10–20 feet (3–6 m) with height limited to 2–3 feet (60–90 cm). Growth rate is 6–12 inches (15–30 cm) per year when staked. Short, dark green needles, 0.5–0.75 inch (12–19 mm) long, densely cover pendulous branches that form curtain-like masses of foliage. Bark is orange-brown to gray-brown, scaly on mature trunks. Cylindrical cones 4–6 inches (10–15 cm) long are produced on mature specimens. Susceptible to spider mites in hot, dry conditions and to Cytospora canker on stressed plants; both are more prevalent in sites with poor air circulation.

Native Range

The species Picea abies is native to northern and central Europe, from Scandinavia south through the Alps and Carpathians to the Balkans, in montane forests from 1,500–5,900 feet (450–1,800 m) elevation. The cultivar 'Pendula' originated in cultivation.

Suggested Uses

Staked specimens are planted as vertical accents in mixed borders and garden beds, spaced 5–8 feet (1.5–2.4 m) from adjacent plants. Unstaked specimens are used as large-scale ground covers on slopes and banks, spreading 10–20 feet (3–6 m). The variable final form requires careful site planning, as eventual size and shape depend on training during the first several years.

How to Identify

Picea abies 'Pendula' is identified by strongly pendulous branches that hang nearly vertically, forming dense curtains of dark green foliage along a central leader. Needles are 0.5–0.75 inch (12–19 mm), four-sided, dark green, arranged spirally on stems. Distinguished from P. abies 'Reflexa' by the consistently drooping habit without horizontal branch extension; distinguished from P. abies 'Inversa' primarily by the variable training and broader use of the 'Pendula' cultivar name.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height2' - 20'

Width/Spread3' - 20'

Reaches mature size in approximately 18 years

Colors

Flower Colors

yellow

red

Foliage Colors

dark green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks

Spring

Male strobili are reddish-yellow, releasing pollen in April–May. Female cones are cylindrical, 4–6 inches (10–15 cm) long, green when young, ripening to brown in the first season. Cone production begins on specimens 10–15 years old and increases with maturity.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

reddish-yellow (male strobili)

Foliage Description

dark green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun

Partial Shade

Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range4.5 - 6.0(Acidic)

357912

Soil Types

loamclaysand

Drainage

well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

15–20 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Water deeply weekly during the first two growing seasons; mature plants tolerate 2–3 weeks without rain but growth slows and needle drop increases during extended drought. Spider mites cause yellowing and needle drop in hot, dry summers; infestations typically appear first on the interior and lower branches. Cytospora canker produces resinous patches on the bark and causes branch dieback, typically on stressed plants or those with bark wounds. Staked specimens require the central leader tied to a support stake for the first 5–10 years to establish height; once the leader lignifies, staking can be removed. Form is difficult to correct once established without staking, as the leader will continue in the direction it grew during establishment.

Pruning

Pruning requirements depend on training. On staked specimens, the central leader should be tied to the support stake and any competing leaders removed in late winter. Lateral branches that extend horizontally rather than hanging can be removed at their base. On ground-covering specimens, no pruning is needed to maintain spread; length can be controlled by cutting back lateral stems in late winter to a rearward-facing lateral, though P. abies does not bud from old wood and cuts to bare wood leave permanent gaps.

Pruning Schedule

early spring

Maintenance Level

moderate

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic