Coniferous Shrubs
Picea abies 'Reflexa'
weeping Norway spruce
Pinaceae
Cultivar of European origin; species native to northern and central Europe
At a Glance
TypeShrub
HabitTrailing
FoliageEvergreen
Height2–15 feet (0.6–4.5 m) depending on training
Width4–20 feet (1.2–6 m)
Maturity18 years
Growing Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones
3 - 8Zone 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 'Reflexa' is a weeping cultivar of Norway spruce distinguished from 'Pendula' by a more consistent growth pattern: branches emerge horizontally or at a slight upward angle before reflexing sharply downward. When staked, specimens form a narrow column 10–15 feet (3–4.5 m) tall and 4–6 feet (1.2–1.8 m) wide; unstaked plants grow as ground covers to 2–3 feet (60–90 cm) tall, spreading 15–20 feet (4.5–6 m) over time. Growth rate is 6–10 inches (15–25 cm) per year on staked specimens. Needles are 0.5–0.75 inch (12–19 mm) long, dark green, four-sided, and densely arranged on drooping branch tips. Bark is orange-brown to gray-brown on mature trunks. Spider mites and Cytospora canker affect this cultivar under the same conditions as other P. abies cultivars. The variable staking requirements mean final form is not predictable at point of sale.
Native Range
The species Picea abies is native to northern and central Europe from Scandinavia south through the Alps and Carpathians, in montane and boreal forests. The cultivar 'Reflexa' originated in cultivation.Suggested Uses
Staked specimens are used as vertical accents in mixed borders and conifer collections, spaced 6–10 feet (1.8–3 m) from adjacent plants. Unstaked plants serve as large-scale ground covers on slopes, spreading to 15–20 feet (4.5–6 m). The variable form resulting from different training methods requires careful planning before siting.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height2' - 15'
Width/Spread4' - 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 weeksJ
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Spring
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
reddish-yellow (male strobili)Foliage Description
dark greenGrowing 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 weekly during the first two growing seasons; established plants tolerate 2–3 weeks without rain but show increased needle drop during prolonged dry periods. Staked specimens need the central leader tied to a support for 5–10 years until the trunk lignifies; the leader grows in the direction it is trained and cannot be repositioned after lignification. Spider mites appear in hot, dry summers above 85°F (29°C), causing yellowing interior needles. Cytospora canker enters through wounds or stressed tissue, producing resin-soaked patches and branch dieback. Fertilization is unnecessary in adequate soils and excess nitrogen can reduce cold hardiness.Pruning
No pruning is needed to maintain the weeping form. On staked specimens, competing leaders can be removed in late winter to maintain a single dominant trunk. Branches that deviate from the desired silhouette can be removed at their origin point in late winter; cuts to bare wood do not produce new growth, as P. abies does not regenerate from old wood.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
early spring