10 Ways To Use Dwarf Alberta Spruce in Your Yard

Dwarf Alberta spruce (Picea glauca 'Conica') has a shape like a miniature Christmas tree. Bright green needles demand little care to look their best, and a slow growth rate makes this spruce a go-to evergreen for containers. Dwarf Alberta spruce grows just 2 to 4 inches a year. When shopping, buy a plant close to the size you want.

It’s not unusual to find dwarf Alberta spruce (Picea glauca 'Conica’) sold in various forms. In the nursery trade, this type of pruned spruce is known as a topiary spiral. Its unusual silhouette makes it a good choice for a focal point shrub in the landscape. When adding dwarf Alberta spruce to your yard, choose a spot with full to part sun and well-drained soil.

One of the most common ways to use dwarf Alberta spruce in the landscape is to plant a pair flanking an entry, driveway or path. In this entry garden, two spruce frame the steps to the front porch, effectively calling attention to it. Clumps of pink spirea provide a pretty counterpoint to the steady green of this pair of porch-side spruces. In winter, dwarf Alberta spruce really shines, sounding a steady note of green through snows and winter cold. Dwarf Alberta spruce (Picea glauca 'Conica’) is hardy in Zones 2 to 8.

When choosing dwarf Alberta spruce for pots, consider miniature varieties, like Tiny Tower (Picea glauca conica 'MonRon’). This little cutie reaches a maximum height of 4 to 6 feet tall and up to 2 feet wide. The slow growth rate means you can keep it tucked into containers for a few years. Tiny Tower has bright green leaves that shift to gray as they mature. It’s hardy in Zones 3 to 8. At Christmas, you’ll often see mini Christmas trees in pots. These are usually dwarf Alberta spruce and can be planted into the landscape after the holiday.