Picea glauca 'Conica', Dwarf Alberta Spruce
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Coniferous Shrubs

Picea glauca 'Conica'

Dwarf Alberta Spruce

Pinaceae

Cultivar discovered in Alberta, Canada; species native across northern North America

At a Glance

TypeShrub
HabitUpright
FoliageEvergreen
Height6–12 feet (1.8–3.7 m)
Width3–5 feet (0.9–1.5 m)
Maturity28 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

2 - 8
Zone 2
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
Container Friendly
Native to North America
Maintenancelow

Overview

Picea glauca 'Conica' is a dwarf, conical cultivar of white spruce forming a dense, symmetrical cone without pruning. Growth rate is slow, averaging 2–4 inches (5–10 cm) per year; plants reach 6–8 feet (1.8–2.4 m) tall and 3–4 feet (0.9–1.2 m) wide in 25 years, with old specimens occasionally reaching 10–12 feet (3–3.7 m). Fine-textured needles are 0.25–0.5 inch (6–12 mm) long, soft to the touch, bright yellow-green when emerging in spring, transitioning to medium green by summer. Needles are densely packed on upward-angled branch tips. The cultivar is consistently conical from base to apex with no gaps or dominant leader visible from outside. Spider mites are a serious recurring pest, causing interior needle browning and drop that can disfigure the plant permanently in severe infestations; the dense foliage creates microhabitat favored by mites during hot, dry weather above 80°F (27°C).

Native Range

The species Picea glauca is native to a broad band across northern North America from Alaska east to Newfoundland and south into the northern United States. The cultivar 'Conica' was discovered in 1904 near Lake Laggan, Alberta, Canada, as a chance seedling.

Suggested Uses

Commonly used in foundation plantings, formal garden settings, and entryway flanking at 4–5 feet (1.2–1.5 m) from adjacent plants. Planted in containers of at least 15 gallons (57 L); root-bound plants show faster decline in containers than in ground. Slow growth rate limits the need for relocation, but the eventual 6–12 foot (1.8–3.7 m) height requires advance planning in low-clearance foundation sites.

How to Identify

Picea glauca 'Conica' is identified by its perfectly symmetrical conical form, fine-textured foliage, and soft needles 0.25–0.5 inch (6–12 mm) long. Needles are four-sided in cross-section, pale blue-green to medium green, and arranged all around the stem. Distinguished from the species by its dwarf habit and soft needles; distinguished from similar dwarf conifers by the combination of conical symmetry, fine texture, and soft, non-prickly needles.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height6' - 12'
Width/Spread3' - 5'

Reaches mature size in approximately 28 years

Colors

Flower Colors

red

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~2 weeks
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Spring
Male strobili are reddish, producing pollen in April–May. Female cones are small, 1–1.5 inches (2.5–4 cm) long, oval-cylindrical, ripening from green to pale brown in the first season. Cone production is irregular on young plants and more consistent on specimens over 15 years old.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

reddish (male strobili)

Foliage Description

medium 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

25–30 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Water weekly during the first two growing seasons; established plants tolerate 2 weeks without rain in cool climates but show needle browning more quickly in heat above 85°F (29°C). Spider mites cause interior needle browning and drop, particularly in July and August; monitoring by tapping a branch over white paper to detect moving mites allows early intervention. Infestations that cause heavy interior needle drop leave permanent bare patches, as new growth does not emerge from old wood. Cytospora canker and white pine weevil are occasional problems; weevil damage kills the central leader, causing a forking that distorts the conical shape. Afternoon shade in climates with consistent summer heat above 90°F (32°C) reduces heat stress and mite pressure.

Pruning

No pruning is required to maintain the conical form. Dead interior branches can be carefully removed in early spring. If the central leader is killed by weevil, a side branch can be trained upward as a replacement; this delays and partially restores the conical shape but does not fully recover symmetry. Light shearing to slow growth is possible in early spring but is not necessary for form maintenance.

Pruning Schedule

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early spring

Maintenance Level

low

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 15 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic