A beautiful New Year tree,
And also when it blooms!

We are all used to seeing it, but in nature, spruce trees are no less elegant when it’s time to bloom. How do spruce trees bloom?

However, many people are completely unaware that spruce trees can bloom. And this sacrament takes place in a deep forest at the end of spring.
Who goes there at this time? It’s too late to go skiing, but it’s still too early to pick up mushrooms and berries. So our coniferous beauties bloom without witnesses.
Only maybe rare hunters and foresters can observe this beauty, and even forest animals, and the picture of the wild flowering of spruce is simply amazingly beautiful!

Dark green fluffy branches are densely covered with bright ruby ​​lights - these are the female inflorescences that “burn”, like New Year’s candles. Their size is slightly larger hazelnut. There are also less noticeable, pea-sized male inflorescences on the branches.

Let's say right away that speaking about the “blooming” of spruce, from a scientific point of view, is incorrect . She is not flowering plant, and cannot bloom, like all other coniferous trees related to gymnosperms.

But at the everyday level it is permissible to say that the spruce has “bloomed”, because it has not yet been possible to find another expression to denote the amazing phenomenon.
For a dark coniferous forest, flowering spruce trees are a fabulous sight.

Why do people rarely see spruce trees bloom?

One of the reasons has already been mentioned - spruce trees bloom when the forest is least visited by people.

The next reason, and the main one: spruce trees bloom rarely and bloom very late - at 25-30 years of life, when they reach a height of at least 3 meters (they grow slowly - only 10 cm per year).
Spruce lives for a very long time - almost 500 years, growing up to 50 meters in height, but The forest beauty experiences “blooming” and fruiting only about 30 times in its entire life. .

Another reason is that not all types of spruce bloom brightly , so their flowering goes unnoticed by people. In total there are about 40 species of spruce, and only 8 of them grow in Russia .
And, if the inflorescences of some spruce species are bright crimson, then in others they are orange or pale yellow.

The spruce blooms for just over a week. During this time, instead of inflorescences, cones appear on the branches. But The cones are not spruce fruits at all, but only modified shoots.

Mushroom pickers and hunters use spruce cones to predict the weather. Before dry weather, the cones “open”, and before rain, their scales press tightly against each other.

No one will argue that Christmas trees bring benefits to people when they come to New Year into their homes, and, becoming the center of fun, create a magical festive atmosphere with just their appearance.

But it turns out that it was thanks to the Christmas tree, we hear both energetic and calm music on holidays (and on weekdays) , because musical instruments(violins, pianos, balalaikas, guitars and many others) are currently made from spruce wood.
For this rare quality, spruce received the name “singing” tree.

How much benefit and goodness the beautiful coniferous tree gives to people, so it’s not for nothing that they have been dancing around it for many centuries, calling it a wonderful tree. And at the same time, they almost don’t know how spruce trees bloom.

This is where the interesting fact ends!

But tomorrow we will find something more interesting!

With best wishes for health and prosperity,

Your dedicated guide to the World Interesting Facts,

Mozgunova Irina.

The traditional Christmas spruce tree with a beautiful crown and fluffy branches has long become familiar. It is perhaps difficult to find an estate in Europe where at least one Christmas tree does not grow, and many summer residents try to plant this fluffy beauty in the center of the garden in order to decorate it on the eve of New Year's celebrations, thereby creating a cozy pre-holiday atmosphere on the site. Coniferous tree spruce ( Picea) belongs to the Pine family (Pinaceae). The genus includes about 50 species, distributed in the cold and temperate zones of the Northern Hemisphere, with more than half of all species growing in the mountains of Central and Western China. In this article you can familiarize yourself with photos, names of different types of spruce trees, as well as their botanical characteristics and learn about the correct agricultural techniques for growing these trees.

What does spruce look like: photo and botanical characteristics

Spruce trees are beautiful, slender evergreen trees. Most species look like real giants - they are large, 60-90 m high, plants with a trunk diameter of 1.5-2 m, reaching an age of 500-600 years. All spruces are very similar: The trunks are straight, the branches are arranged in tiers and collected in whorls, the crowns are pyramidal. The bark is gray-brown, smoother in young plants, and rough and rough in old ones. The needles are small, needle-shaped, tetrahedral or flat, arranged spirally. The color of the needles is green or bluish-green. Male “flowers” ​​carrying pollen are solitary, formed in the axils of the upper needles on last year’s branches, female “flowers” ​​are also solitary, appearing at the ends of old branches. The cones are hanging, cylindrically elongated or ovoid. Young cones are green or purple, mature ones are brown or brownish-gray. They ripen by the end of the first year and fall off without crumbling. Look what the spruce trees look like in the photo in natural environment a habitat:

Spruces rarely grow as solitary specimens isolated from others, predominantly forming large forest populations. In dry places, rich spruce forests are formed - “green moss forests” with a thick moss cover and an abundance of edible cap mushrooms. In damp areas, dense but oppressed spruce forests grow - “long-moss trees” with a sparse cover of sedges and sphagnum mosses. Along the valleys of small rivers and along streams there are the most beautiful spruce forests - “logs” with rarely standing trees and lush grass. But, as a rule, spruce forests are quite dense and shady, which does not allow the formation of a dense grass cover and leads to the lush growth of mosses. In nature, spruce trees are extremely unpretentious and hardy - they are able to grow in almost any conditions. The vast majority of species are frost-resistant. Below is a description of the most popular types of fir trees with photos and names.

Popular types and varieties of spruce trees: photos, names and descriptions

Picea abies- Common spruce, or European.

The most common coniferous plant in Central and Northern Europe. The species' range is extensive and does not include only the British Isles and the North German Lowland. European spruce is a slender, shade-tolerant tree with a pyramidal crown and horizontally spaced branches collected in whorls. The trunk clears slowly, and often the lower branches are retained even in mature plants. Old specimens reach a height of 30-50 m and have a trunk thickness of up to 2 m. The bark peels off in thin scales and, depending on the variety, has different colour- from red-brown to gray. As you can see in the photo, the needles of the spruce tree are needle-shaped, small (1-2 cm long), prickly, green:

The cones are hanging, cylindrically elongated or ovoid. Young cones are green-purple, mature ones are brown. They ripen by the end of the first year. They fall without crumbling. In nature, Norway spruce (Picea abies) is highly variable. "Witches' brooms" can develop both on the leading shoot and on the side branches. Less common are natural mutations that completely change the natural shape of this spruce. Such diversity has made it possible in recent years to cultivate and introduce into nurseries, and then into gardens, a large number of plants with different habitus: type of branch arrangement, crown shape and needle color. This type of spruce is absolutely frost-resistant.

Recommended varieties of Norway spruce:

Picea abies Asgosopa

Common spruce variety. Large size. The crown is broadly pyramidal. The color of the needles is green. At a young age, fresh growths can be damaged by late return frosts. After the growing season, it forms bright crimson cones at the ends of the growths. After complete rooting, it actively grows. Annual growth is more than 30 cm. Completely frost-resistant.

Picea abies Pusch(synonym - Picea abies Asgosopa Nana)

Common spruce variety. Dwarf. There is no exact version of its origin. According to one of them, it is believed that it was selected from Asgosop spruce seedlings. Just like P. abies, Asgosopa forms crimson-colored cones at the ends of the growths in the spring. The crown of this spruce variety is ordinary type broad-pyramidal. It grows more actively in width than in height. Annual growth does not exceed 10 cm. At 10 years of age it can reach a height of 1 m and a diameter of 1.5 m. The needles are small and green. Completely frost-resistant.

Picea abies Aurea

Large-sized variety of common spruce. During the growing season, the growths turn into a bright golden color for 1.5-2 months. The needles, especially in young specimens, can burn in the sun. Annual growth is similar to that of common Norway spruce. Tapeworm. Completely frost-resistant.

Picea abies Aurea Magnifica

Large-sized variety of common spruce. The crown is pyramidal. In the spring, during the growing season, the growths turn yellow-golden. This color, changing its intensity, remains almost throughout the year. After complete rooting, annual growth is more than 30 cm. Completely frost-resistant.

Picea abies Aurea WB (synonym - Goldnugget)

Mini variety of Norway spruce, 'Witch's Broom', found on Picea abies Aurea. Compact, round-oval shape. Annual growth is 3-6 cm. Pay attention to the photo - this variety of common spruce turns bright yellow in October:

During the summer the needles are green. Completely frost-resistant.

Picea abies Vagu Mazayta

Micro-variety of common spruce. Compact spherical shape. The color of the needles is stable, green. Annual growth is 2-3 cm. Possible size at 10 years of age is 20-30 cm in diameter. Completely frost-resistant.

Picea abies Berry Garden

Mini variety of common spruce. Very compact, round shape. Annual growth is 2-3 cm. Completely frost-resistant. Rare variety.

Picea abies Blatny

Micro-variety of common spruce. Round shape. The needles are soft and green. Annual growth within 3 cm, completely frost-resistant.

Picea abies Bobek

Common spruce variety. Dwarf. Characterized by an irregular pattern of branch growth. The needles are hard and green. Annual growth varies from 3 to 10 cm. Completely frost-resistant.

Picea abies Botanica Liberec

Mini variety of common spruce. Very compact, round shape. The needles are rich green. Annual growth is 3-6 cm, completely frost-resistant.

Picea abies Bouchalka

Mini variety of common spruce. Compact, round, slightly irregular shape. The needles are hard and green. Annual growth varies from 3 to 5 cm. Completely frost-resistant.

Picea abies Brno(synonyms - Minuta WB, Minima Kalous WB)

Micro-variety of common spruce. Very dense round-oval shape. Annual growth is within 1-2 cm. Completely frost-resistant.

Picea abies Cervena Skala

Micro-variety of common spruce. Very compact, round shape. Annual growth is within 1-3 cm. Completely frost-resistant.

Picea abies Clanbrassiliana

Common spruce variety. Dwarf. Dense, round-conical shape. Annual growth is 8-12 cm. In North America, specimens are known that have reached 1.5 m in height. Completely frost-resistant.

Picea abies Dado

Picea abies Dubenec

Mini variety of common spruce. Compact, round-oval shape. The needles are hard, green-blue. Annual growth is within 3-5 cm. Completely frost-resistant.

Picea abies Dumpy

Mini variety of common spruce. Round, slightly loose shape. The needles are green. Annual growth varies from 3 to 5 cm. Completely frost-resistant.

Picea abies Echiniformis

A dwarf form of common spruce, very similar in size of annual growth to mini-varieties. They vary within 3-6 cm. Compact, round shape. The needles are hard, green. Completely frost-resistant.

Picea abies Formanek

Creeping form of Norway spruce. Dwarf. Very popular variety Czech selection. To give it a more interesting shape, it is recommended to tie the leading shoot to a vertical support. The needles are soft and green. Annual growth varies between 8-15 cm. Completely frost-resistant.

Picea abies Frohburg

A medium-sized variety of common spruce. Weeping cascading form. The branches are located close to the trunk. Annual growth is within 15-20 cm. The needles are green. Completely frost-resistant.

Picea abies Gamshutte

Mini variety of common spruce. Round, slightly flattened shape. The needles are green-blue. Annual growth varies from 3 to 5 cm. Completely frost-resistant.

Picea abies Gold Drift

A medium-sized variety of common spruce. A weeping, yellow-coniferous form found among seedlings of Norway spruce Inversa. Annual growth is within 10-15 cm. Completely frost-resistant.

Picea abies Hasin

Micro-variety of common spruce. Quite rare in our gardens. Very compact, round shape. Annual growth is within 1-3 cm. Completely frost-resistant.

Picea abies

Micro-variety of common Estonian spruce selection. Very rare in our gardens. Dense, round shape. Annual growth is within 1-3 cm. Completely frost-resistant.

Picea abies Holub Gold

A medium-sized variety of common spruce of Czech selection. The needles are soft, yellow-golden in color throughout the season. Annual growth is within 10-15 cm. Completely frost-resistant.

Picea abies Holub 1

Micro-variety of common spruce of Czech selection. Dense, round-oval shape. The needles are hard, completely blue before the growing season, and subsequently acquire a bluish-green color. Annual growth within 2 cm. Rare variety. Completely frost-resistant.

Picea abies Hradok

Micro-variety of common spruce. Rare in our gardens. Very compact, round shape. Annual growth is within 1-3 cm. Completely frost-resistant.

Picea abies Humilis

A medium-sized variety of common spruce. Characterized by an irregular growth pattern. The needles are very hard and green. Annual growth varies from 10 to 20 cm. Completely frost-resistant.

Picea abies Husarna

Mini variety of common spruce. Round, slightly flattened shape. The needles are green-blue. Annual growth varies from 2 to 5 cm. Completely frost-resistant.

Picea abies Inversa

Large-sized variety of common spruce. Weeping form. A very beautiful and popular variety among gardeners. After complete rooting, annual growth varies between 20-40 cm. The needles are hard and green. Completely frost-resistant.

Picea abies Jana

Mini variety of common spruce of Czech selection. Very dense, round shape. With age, it takes on a more oval shape, reaching a size of 30 by 40 cm. Growing in the sun, it exhibits the qualities corresponding to this variety much better. Completely frost-resistant.

Picea abies Johanka

Mini variety of common spruce. Round, slightly nest-like shape. The needles are green. Slow growing variety. Annual growth varies from 2 to 5 cm. Completely frost-resistant.

Picea abies Kevon

Mini variety of common spruce. Round-oval shape. The needles are bluish-green. Slow growing variety. Annual growth varies from 2 to 5 cm. Completely frost-resistant.

Picea abies Kirzhach

Mini variety. Natural mutation of Norway spruce. Found by one of the authors in the forests of the Vladimir region. At the time of introduction into the garden, it had a round-oval shape measuring 20 by 30 cm. The crown was located on a trunk, 30 cm from the ground. After 16 years of growing in the garden, it reached dimensions of 1.5 m wide by 1.0 m high. Does not have a clear leader. Multivertex. Completely frost-resistant.

Picea abies Kuba

Micro-variety of common spruce. Very compact, round shape. Annual growth is within 1-3 cm. Completely frost-resistant. Rare variety.

Picea abies Lhota

Mini variety of common spruce. Compact, round shape. The needles are hard and green. Annual growth varies from 3 to 5 cm. Completely frost-resistant.

Picea abies Little Gem

Micro-variety of common spruce. A very beautiful and popular variety. Round shape. Annual growth is 1-3 cm. At 15 years of age it is 50-60 cm wide by 30-40 cm high. Completely frost-resistant.

Picea abies Loreley

Common spruce variety. Dwarf. Creeping growth form. By attaching the leading shoot, as well as one or two auxiliary shoots, to a vertical support, you can achieve a beautiful cascading form of growth. The terminal growths of descending branches tend to grow in the vertical direction. At 15 years of age, the crown diameter can be 1.5 m. Completely frost-resistant.

Picea abies Luua Pari

A dwarf variety of common spruce of Estonian selection. Has 2 different shapes growth. May develop as bonsai, having a pyramidal growth shape. In Estonia, there are 30-year-old specimens 3 m high by 1.5 m wide. It can also have a dense, round-oval shape that shows faint signs of pyramidal growth with age. Completely frost-resistant.

Picea abies Malecek

Micro variety of Czech selection. Compact, round shape. Annual growth is within 3 cm per year. The needles are hard and green. Completely frost-resistant.

Picea abies Maracana

Micro-variety of common spruce. Compact, round, very dense shape. Annual growth is 2-3 cm per year. The needles are hard and green. Completely frost-resistant.

Picea abies Mikulasovice

Mini variety of common spruce of Czech selection. Dwarf, very dense, conical shape. The needles are hard, dark green. Annual growth is 2-5 cm per year. The cushion form is much less common. of this variety. Completely frost-resistant.

Picea abies Mionsi

Micro-variety of common spruce, very compact, dense, rounded shape. The needles are hard and green. Annual growth is 1-2 cm. Completely frost-resistant.

Picea abies Most

Micro-variety of common spruce. Compact, round shape. The needles are hard and green. Annual growth is 1 cm. Completely frost-resistant.

Picea abies Muhlerin

Mini variety of common spruce. Compact, round-oval shape. The needles are hard, bluish-green. Annual growth is 3-5 cm. Completely frost-resistant.

Picea abies Od Goly

Micro-variety of common spruce. Compact, round shape. The needles are hard and green. Annual growth within 3 cm. Completely frost-resistant.

Picea abies Ohlendorfii

Common spruce variety. Dwarf. Pyramid shape. The needles are hard and green. Annual growth is within 5-10 cm. Completely frost-resistant.

Picea abies Palecek WB

Mini variety of common spruce. Dense, round shape. The needles are hard, green-blue. Annual growth is 3-5 cm. Completely frost-resistant.

Picea abies Parsonii(synonym - Zwergnase)

Micro variety of common spruce. Dense, round shape. The needles are hard, green-blue. Annual growth is within 2-3 cm. Completely frost-resistant.

Picea abies Pavelka

Micro-variety of common spruce of Czech selection. Dense, round-oval shape. The needles are hard and green. Annual growth is 2-3 cm. Completely frost-resistant.

Picea abies Pekarek

Micro-variety of common spruce. Dense, round shape. The needles are hard and green. Annual growth within 3 cm. Completely frost-resistant. Rare variety.

Picea abies Pet Kamenu

Micro-variety of common spruce of Czech selection. Dense, round shape. The needles are hard and green. Growth is 2-3 cm. Completely frost-resistant.

Picea abies Prokopka

Micro-variety of common spruce. Dense, round shape. The needles are soft and green. Annual growth is 1-2 cm. Completely frost-resistant.

Picea abies Reflexa

Common spruce variety. Weeping form. The branches are rigid and cascading. The needles are green. Annual growth is 15-40 cm. Completely frost-resistant. Very decorative.

Picea abies Rydal

Large-sized variety of common spruce. During the growing season, the growths turn a rich crimson color for 7-10 days, after which they turn green again. The needles are soft, the branches are thin. Completely frost-resistant.

Picea abies Slavice

Micro-variety of common spruce. Very dense, round shape. The needles are hard and green. Annual growth is 1-2 cm. Completely frost-resistant. Very rare.

Picea abies Sonneberg

Micro-variety of common spruce. Quite dense, rounded shape. The needles are hard, green-blue. Annual growth within 3 cm. Completely frost-resistant.

Picea abies Strapac

Common spruce variety. Dwarf. Characterized by uneven growth of branches. The branches themselves are thick, the needles are hard and dark green. Annual growth within 10 cm. Completely frost-resistant, rare variety.

Picea abies Suncrest

Mini variety of common spruce. A very dense, rounded shape, with age it becomes broadly conical and multi-vertexed. The needles are hard, green-blue. Annual growth is 3-7 cm. Completely frost-resistant,

Picea abies Super Majxner

Micro-variety of common spruce. Very dense, round shape. The needles are hard, green-blue. Annual growth is 2-3 cm, completely frost-resistant.

Picea abies Svata Mari

Micro-variety of common spruce. Dense, round shape. The needles are hard, green-blue. Annual growth within 3 cm. Completely frost-resistant.

Picea abies Svojek

Micro-variety of common spruce. Dense, round shape. The needles are hard and green. Annual growth is 2-3 cm. Completely frost-resistant.

Picea abies Truba 5

Micro-variety of common spruce. Dense, round-oval shape. The needles are hard and green. Annual growth is 2-3 cm, completely frost-resistant.

Picea abies Uplaz

Picea abies Van Bemmel's Dwarf

Micro-variety of common spruce. Very dense, round shape. The needles are hard, green, annual growth is 1 cm. Completely frost-resistant. Decoration of the collection.

Picea abies Vermont Gold

Mini variety of common spruce. Found on Picea abies Repens. Flat-round, creeping shape. After the growing season it becomes completely golden. Retains this color throughout the season. Annual growth is within 3-8 cm. Planted in the sun may burn. Recovers quickly. Completely frost-resistant.

Picea abies Visel

Micro-variety of common spruce. Very dense, round shape. The needles are hard, green-blue. Annual growth is 2-3 cm. Completely frost-resistant.

Picea abies Vyrov

Micro variety of common spruce, very dense, rounded shape. The needles are hard and green. Annual growth is 1-2 cm. Completely frost-resistant.

Picea abies WB on Pigmaea

Micro-variety of common spruce. Very dense, round shape. The needles are hard and green. Annual growth is 1-2 cm. Completely frost-resistant.

Picea abies Wichtel

Micro-variety of common spruce. Very dense, round shape. Very dense branching, hard, green needles. Annual growth is 1 cm. Completely frost-resistant. Decoration of the collection.

Picea abies Willi's Zwerg

Common spruce variety. Dwarf. Wide-pyramidal, multivertex shape. The needles are hard and green. Annual growth within 10 cm. Completely frost-resistant.

Picea abies Zadusi

Picea abies Zahori

Mini variety of common spruce. Dense, round shape. The needles are hard and green. Annual growth is 3-6 cm. Completely frost-resistant.

Picea abies Zajecice

Mini variety of common spruce. Dense, round shape. The needles are hard and green. Annual growth is 3-7 cm. Completely frost-resistant.

• Picea abies Zvihadlo. Mini variety of common spruce. Dense, round shape. The needles are hard and green. Annual growth is 2-5 cm. Completely frost-resistant.
• Picea abies Cukrak. Micro-variety of common spruce. Very compact, round shape. Annual growth is within 1-2 cm. Completely frost-resistant. Rare in our gardens.
• Picea abies Kobliha. Micro-variety of common spruce. Rare in our gardens. Very compact, round shape. Annual growth is within 1-3 cm. Completely frost-resistant.
• Picea abies Minuta(synonyms - Brno, Minima Kalous WB). Micro-variety of common spruce. Very dense round-oval shape. The needles are hard and green. Annual growth is within 1-2 cm. Completely frost-resistant.
• Picea abies Pitzi 2. Micro-variety of common spruce. Very dense, round shape. The needles are hard, green-blue. Annual growth is 2-3 cm. Completely frost-resistant.
• Picea abies Zadverice. Micro-variety of common spruce. Very dense, round shape. The needles are hard and green. Annual growth is 2-3 cm. Completely frost-resistant.

These photos show varieties of common spruce trees, the descriptions of which you could read above:

Picea asperata- Rough spruce

Grows in moist, well-drained soils in western China. Evergreen tree up to 40 m in height. The crown is dense, wide-conical. The branches are horizontal, slightly cascading at the ends. When describing this type of spruce, it is especially worth noting the rough, brown bark. Needles up to 2 cm, bluish-green, slightly silvery. Brownish-brown cylindrical cones measuring 10 cm. The species is practically untested, conditionally winter-hardy in the middle zone. May be damaged by return frosts. Does not tolerate planting in the shade. In the last few years, several dwarf varieties of this spruce have been planted in Russian gardens. After 3 years of testing, it can be argued that the varieties are completely frost-resistant when under snow cover. Recommended variety of rough spruce:

Picea asperata Mongolei

Micro-variety of rough spruce. Very compact, round shape. Pay attention to the photo - the needles of this type of spruce are hard, almost blue:

Annual growth is 1-3 cm. Tested in the middle zone for 3-4 years, tolerates planting in slight shade. Completely frost-resistant under snow cover. Recently, the species identity of this variety has been clarified.

Picea engelmanii- Engelman Spruce

One of the most beautiful blue spruce trees. Forms forests in the mountains in the west North America. Close to Picea pungens - prickly spruce. A spectacular evergreen tree with a dense narrow pyramidal crown, reaching a height of 20-50 m. The branches are collected in dense whorls, the branches are slightly drooping. The needle-shaped needles are thin, straight, 15-25 mm long, bluish-green, more delicate than those of prickly spruce. The cones are hanging, cylindrical-ovate, 4-8 cm long. Young cones are green, mature ones are light beige. They ripen by the end of the first year. They fall without crumbling. In recent years, a sufficient number of dwarf forms of this spruce have been introduced into European gardens. The gardens of Russia were no exception. Its varieties Jasper, Tomschke, Talbot Lake, Hobo, Pocahontas are compact and spectacular. A very unusual variety is Snake. The twig-like branches of this cultivar are similar to those of the more famous Norway spruce variety Cranstonii. Recommended varieties of Elgelman spruce:

Picea engelmanii Jasper

Mini variety of Engelmann spruce. Dense, rounded-flattened shape. The needles are hard, green-blue. Annual growth is within 3-7 cm. Completely frost-resistant.

Picea engelmanii Talbot Lake

Micro variety of Engelmann spruce. Very dense, round shape. The needles are hard, green-blue. Annual growth within 3 cm. Completely frost-resistant. These photos show the types of fir trees, the descriptions of which are presented in this section:

Picea glauca- Gray spruce, or Canadian spruce.

Grows in eastern North America. The natural form is similar to the common spruce, but forms a looser crown due to some “infancy” of the twigs and branches. Needles are 8-18 mm long, bluish-green and rather thin, have bad smell. The cones are oblong, small, 3-6 cm long and 1-2 cm wide. Young cones are green, mature ones are light brown. In culture, the natural form is rarely grown due to its large size and poor tolerance to the sun in spring period. But varietal varieties are very popular. The shape of the crown and the arrangement of branches of cultivars are varied, but “dwarfs” of pyramidal and spherical shapes mainly prevail in gardens. The winter hardiness of the varieties is high, but they can be actively damaged by the rays of the spring sun. It is better to plant all varieties in partial shade, and during hot periods provide additional irrigation to their crowns. In order to care for these spruce trees as proper agricultural technology suggests, before the onset of the growing season, all varieties of this species should be treated against fungal diseases with copper-containing preparations.

Varieties recommended for planting in gardens: pyramidal-columnar - Conica, Conica Blue, Sanders Blue, Daisy's White, Sport, Zuckerhut; spherical - Cecilia, Dendrofarma Gold, Elf, Minitip, Blue Planet, Burning Well.

Recommended varieties of gray spruce:

Picea glauca Alberta Globe

Micro-variety of Canadian spruce. Very compact, wide pyramidal shape. This spruce variety has dark green needles. Annual growth is 1-2 cm. Completely tolerant to sunlight. Frost-resistant.

Picea glauca Cecilia

Mini variety of Canadian spruce. Compact, spherical shape. The needles are hard, dark green. Annual growth is 3-6 cm, completely frost-resistant.

Picea glauca Conica

Wide-pyramidal variety of Canadian spruce. The needles are dark green. Annual growth within 3 cm. In gardens of the middle zone, planted in the sun, it can burn in early spring. This often leads to the loss of decorative properties of individual branches or the death of the entire plant. Completely frost-resistant.

Picea glauca Conica Blue

Mini variety of Canadian spruce. Compact, narrow pyramidal crown shape. The needles are blue, annual growth is within 3-5 cm, completely frost-resistant.

Picea glauca Daisy's White

Mini variety of Canadian spruce. Dense, narrow pyramidal shape. The needles are soft and green. Annual growth is within 3-5 cm. At the end of May, the growth turns creamy for 7-10 days. When describing this spruce variety, it is worth noting that it is very shade-tolerant and frost-resistant.

Picea glauca Dendrofarma Gold

Micro-variety of Canadian spruce. "Witch's Broom" found on Picea glauca Alberta Globe. Dense, spherical shape. The needles are soft and green. Annual growth is within 2-3 cm. At the same time as Picea glauca Deisy’s White, the growths are colored yellow-cream. Recommended planting in partial shade. Completely frost-resistant.

Picea glauca Sander's Blue

Mini variety of Canadian spruce. Dense pyramidal shape. Annual growth is within 3 cm. More tolerant of sunlight than P. glauca Conica. Completely frost-resistant.

Picea glauca Sport

Micro-variety of Canadian spruce. Narrow oval, somewhat pyramidal shape. Below are photos, names and descriptions of other varieties of spruce.

Other varieties of fir trees: photos, names and descriptions

Picea jezcensis- Spruce ayanskaya

A very ancient type of spruce. Grows on mountain slopes Far East. A tree with a pointed conical shape up to 40 m in height. The needles are 1-2 cm long, pointed, bicolor, green above, gray and blue below. The cones are oval-cylindrical, light brown, 5-7 cm long. In culture, it is preferable to plant it in partial shade. Responsive to crown sprinkling. It has been observed in Russian gardens over the past 3-4 years. Recommended varieties of Ayan spruce:

Picea jezoensis Compacto

Mini variety of Ayan spruce. Compact, round shape. The needles are very prickly, silver-green-blue. Annual growth within 3 cm. Completely frost-resistant.

Picea jezoensis Marianske Lazne

Mini variety of Ayan spruce. Compact, round shape. The needles are prickly, silver-green-blue. Annual growth is 3-7 cm. Completely frost-resistant.

Picea mariana– Black spruce

It grows in marshy soils and forms forests in North America and Canada. The description of this type of spruce is similar in appearance to the gray or Canadian spruce, but has grayer needles. The crown is narrowly pin-shaped, uneven, the branches and twigs are thin. The needles are 6-18 mm long, from green to bluish-green, rather thin and very dense. The cones are ovoid, small - 2-3.5 cm long. Young cones are dark purple, mature ones are gray-brown. Has varieties with different types location of branches and crown shape. Most varieties are pyramidal and spherical “dwarfs” with green or bluish needles.

Previously, only one variety, Nana, could be found in gardens. In the last 3-4 years, the range of cultivars has expanded. During this time, the following varieties of black spruce were tested: Nana, Bessneri, Doumetii, Aurea.

Recommended varieties of black spruce:

Picea mariana Beissneri

Medium-sized variety of black spruce. Compact conical shape. The needles are soft, green-blue. Annual growth within 15 cm. Frost-resistant. Spring burning of individual branches is possible.

Picea mariana Nana

Micro-variety of black spruce. Dense, round shape. The needles are hard, green-blue. Annual growth is within 3 cm. Completely frost-resistant and sun tolerant.

Picea obovata- Siberian spruce

Forms vast forests from Northern Europe to Kamchatka and Manchuria. Outwardly similar to common spruce, but has a narrower crown and slightly drooping branches. The branches are dense. Needles 10-18 mm long, matte. The cones are cylindrical-ovate, 6-8 m long. Young cones are purple, mature ones are gray-brown. Very stable and frost-resistant. It has a few but very decorative cultivars. Recommended varieties of Siberian spruce:

Picea obovata Bruj

Micro-variety of Siberian spruce. Quite dense, rounded shape. The needles are soft and green. Annual growth within 5 cm. Completely frost-resistant.

Picea obovata Kandinka

Micro-variety of Siberian spruce. Round shape. The needles are soft and green. Annual growth is within 3-5 cm. Completely frost-resistant.

Picea omorika- Serbian spruce

A rare species that grows on the steep limestone slopes of the mountains of Bosnia and Serbia. Outwardly similar to Siberian spruce, but differs in the shape of the crown and the color of the needles. The crown is narrow pyramidal, almost columnar. The branches are short, spaced apart and raised at the ends. Young branches are brown and pubescent. The needles are compressed, 8-18 mm long and 2 mm wide, shiny, dark green above and bluish below. The cones are ovoid-oblong, small (3-6 cm long), shiny, brown. Fruits from an early age. Highly decorative and frost-resistant. It has numerous cultivars, mainly various dwarf forms.

Recommended varieties of Serbian spruce with photos and descriptions:

Picea omorika Berliner Weeper

Weeping form of Serbian spruce. The needles are green-blue, Annual growth is within 5-7 cm. A rare variety in our gardens. Completely frost-resistant.

Picea omorika Chocen

Micro-variety of Serbian spruce. Very compact, round shape. The needles are hard, green-blue. Annual growth within 3 cm. Completely frost-resistant.

Picea omorika Cindarella

Dwarf variety of Serbian spruce. Oval-round shape. The needles are small, bluish-green. Annual growth is within 6-9 cm. Completely frost-resistant. A very beautiful, recognizable variety, still rare in our gardens.

Picea omorika De Ruyter

Dwarf. Dense, narrow pyramidal shape. The needles are hard, green-blue. Annual growth is about 8-15 cm. There is no exact information on its final size, but at 25 years its possible size is 3.5-4.0 m. Completely frost-resistant.

Picea omorika Frohnleiten

Compact dwarf. Dense, wide pyramidal shape. The growth of branches has a strictly vertical direction. Pay attention to the photo - the needles of this spruce variety are hard, green-blue, and silver:

Annual growth is 10-12 cm. Completely frost-resistant.

Picea omorika Fusch

Mini variety of Serbian spruce. Compact, round shape. The needles are green. Annual growth is 3-5 cm. Completely frost-resistant.

Picea omorika Hallonet

Mini variety of Serbian spruce. Dense, round, pillow-shaped. The needles are soft, green-blue. Annual growth is 4-7 cm. Completely frost-resistant.

Picea omorika Havel 2

Micro-variety of Serbian spruce. Very compact, round shape. The needles are hard, green-blue. Annual growth is 1-2 cm. Completely frost-resistant.

Picea omorika Kuschel

Mini variety or Serbian. Dense, round shape. The needles are hard, dark, green-blue. Annual growth is about 5 cm. Completely frost-resistant.

Picea omorika Minima

Mini variety of Serbian spruce. Slightly loose, round-oval, cushion-shaped. The needles are hard, dark, green-blue. Annual growth is 5-8 cm. Completely frost-resistant.

• Picea omorika Miriam. Mini variety of Serbian spruce. Dense, round shape. The needles are green-blue. Annual growth is 3-6 cm. Completely frost-resistant.
• Picea omorika Nana. Dwarf. Very dense, beautiful pyramidal shape. The needles are hard, green-blue. At 20 years the height is 3 m. Completely frost-resistant.
• Picea omorika Pendula. Medium-sized variety of Serbian spruce. Very dense, wide oval, flowing shape. Distinctive feature This variety is the ability of several leading shoots to independently, without support, maintain a vertical-horizontal direction of growth. The needles are dark green-blue. Annual growth is 30-50 cm. The height of adult plants can reach 7-9 m. Tapeworm. A very decorative variety. Completely frost-resistant.
• Picea omorika Peve Tijn. Mini variety of Serbian spruce. Dense, spherical shape. The needles are hard, green-blue in color, and during the summer they change their color to golden. Annual growth is 3-8 cm. Completely frost-resistant.
• Picea omorika Pimoko. A popular mini-variety of Serbian spruce. Very dense, spherical shape. The needles are hard, green-blue in color. Annual growth is within 5 cm. With age, it grows more in width than in height. At 25 years old it reaches a size of 2 m wide by 1 m high. Completely frost-resistant.
• Picea omorika Radloff. Dwarf. Dense, flowing shape, soft, green-blue needles. To give the plant a more vertical direction of growth, the leading shoot must be tied to a support. Annual growth within 10 cm. Completely frost-resistant.
• Picea omorika Valenta. Mini variety of Serbian spruce. Compact, round-oval shape. The needles are slightly hard, green-blue. Annual growth is within 5-7 cm. Completely frost-resistant.
• Picea omorika Wodan. Dwarf variety of Serbian spruce. Dense, narrow pyramidal shape. Irregular growth of branches is observed. The needles are very hard, dark green. Annual growth is within 7-10 cm. Completely frost-resistant.
• Picea omorika Zuckerhut. A dwarf, possibly a medium-sized variety of Serbian spruce. Very dense, beautiful pyramidal shape. The needles are soft, green-blue. At 20 years, the height can be 5-6 m. Completely frost-resistant.
• Picea omorika Pendula Bruns. Full-grown variety of Serbian spruce. Very dense, columnar, flowing shape. A distinctive feature of this variety is the ability of the leading shoot to independently, without support, maintain a vertical direction of growth of 20-40 cm. The height of adult plants can reach 10 m. Tapeworm. A very decorative variety. Completely frost-resistant - P. omorika Slavia. Mini variety of Serbian spruce. Dense, round shape. The needles are hard, green-blue. Annual growth is 3-5 cm. Completely frost-resistant.

Picea orientalis- Eastern spruce

Forms mountain forests of the Caucasus and Asia Minor at altitudes from 1000 to 2500 m. Often Nordmann with an undergrowth of evergreen hollies, cherry laurel, rhododendrons and ivy. This variety of spruce is similar in appearance to common spruce, but has some species differences. The crown is densely branched. The branches descend to the ground and are located whorled and unevenly. Young branches are light brown, almost white. The needles are dark green, glossy, short, 6-8 mm long, and arranged very densely. As shown in the photo, the cones of this spruce variety are cylindrical-ovoid, 6-9 cm long:

Young cones are purple, mature ones are purple. One of the few spruce trees that have problems wintering in the northern temperate zone. In its cultivars, young growths, and sometimes entire branches, may freeze and lightly burn. The battle against snow and the sun's rays is especially dangerous on February and March days. In this regard, all varieties of eastern spruce planted in such conditions are considered to be conditionally wintering. Despite this, in recent years, positive experience has been gained in growing eastern spruce varieties.

Recommended varieties of eastern spruce:

Picea orientalis Aureospicata

A dwarf, possibly medium-sized variety of eastern spruce. Pyramidal, pointed shape. It is close in habit and color of young growths to Picea orientalis Aurea. In spring, it turns the growths golden yellow for 2-3 weeks. Annual growth is within 10-5 cm. Limited winter hardiness. Recommended planting in partial shade.

Picea orientalis Juwel

Picea orientalis Minima Welle

Mini variety of eastern spruce. Round-cushion-shaped. The needles are green. Annual growth is within 3-5 cm. Planting in partial shade is recommended. Limited winter hardiness.

Picea orientalis Schoven Horst

Mini variety of eastern spruce. Round-cushion-shaped. The needles are green. Annual growth is within 3-5 cm. Planting in partial shade is recommended. Limited winter hardiness.

Picea orientalis Spring Grove

Mini variety of eastern spruce. Round-cushion-shaped. The needles are green. Annual growth is within 3-5 cm. Planting in partial shade is recommended. Limited winter hardiness.

Picea orientalis Tom Thumb Gold

Micro variety of eastern spruce. "Witch's Broom", found on eastern Skylands spruce in the USA, has a rounded-tiered shape. In spring, the needles turn golden for the entire season. Annual growth is within 3-5 cm. Planting in partial shade is recommended. Planted in the shade loses its golden color and may even die over time, but planting in the sun is also detrimental to it, especially at a young age. A very decorative and popular variety. Limited winter hardiness.

Picea pungens- Prickly spruce

The most common type of blue spruce in cultivation. In nature it grows in the Rocky Mountains, Utah and Colorado at an altitude of 2000-3500 m above sea level. An evergreen tree 30-50 m high. The crown is pyramidal. The whorls of branches are noticeably separated. The branches of young growths are light yellow-brown. This variety of spruce got its name because of its hard, prickly, dense needles of gray or green color, 2-3 cm long. The cones are oblong-cylindrical, 6-10 cm long. Young cones are green, mature ones are light gray-beige. In cultivation it is extremely resistant and absolutely frost-resistant. It has many varieties of different habitus with different types of branch arrangement, crown shape, and needle color.

Recommended varieties of prickly spruce:

Picea pungens Albospica

Dwarf. Pyramid variety of prickly spruce. The needles are blue. At the end of May, it turns the growths a white cream color for 2-3 weeks. Annual growth is within 10-20 cm. Completely frost-resistant.

Picea pungens Bialobok

Dwarf. Pyramid variety of prickly spruce of Polish selection. The needles are blue. At the end of May, it turns the growths white-cream for 2-3 weeks. Annual growth is within 10-12 cm. Completely frost-resistant.

Picea pungens Blaukissen

Mini variety of prickly spruce. Round-oval shape. The needles are hard and blue. Annual growth is within 5-7 cm. Completely frost-resistant.

Picea pungens Byczkowski

Pyramid variety of prickly spruce of Polish selection. The needles are blue-green. At the end of May, it turns the growths white-cream for 2-3 weeks. Annual growth is within 10-12 cm. Completely frost-resistant.

Picea pungens Fruchlings Gold

Dwarf. Pyramid variety of prickly spruce. The needles are blue. At the end of May, it turns the growths white-cream for 2-3 weeks. Annual growth is within 10-12 cm. Completely frost-resistant.

Picea pungens Hermann Naue

Dwarf. Round oval shape. The needles are green-blue. Forms crimson cones at the ends of vegetative branches. Annual growth is within 10-15 cm. Completely frost-resistant.

Picea pungens Iseli Fastigiata

A medium-sized variety of prickly spruce. Most often the form is narrow pyramidal, but wide pyramidal specimens are also found. The needles are prickly and blue. Annual growth is 20-25 cm. Completely frost-resistant. To avoid collapse and breakage of branches in snowy winters, it is recommended to fix them.

• Picea pungens Jablonec. A dwarf variety of prickly spruce. Round-oval, with age, perhaps slightly pyramidal in shape. The needles are hard and blue. Annual growth is within 15 cm. Completely frost-resistant.
• Picea pungens Maigold. Dwarf. Pyramid variety of prickly spruce. The needles are blue. At the end of May, it turns the growths a white cream color for 2-3 weeks. Annual growth is within 10-12 cm. Completely frost-resistant.
• Picea pungens Mecki. A dwarf variety of prickly spruce. Characterized by uneven growth of branches. The shape is close to conical. Annual growth is within 15 cm. Completely frost-resistant.
• Picea pungens Nimetz. A dwarf variety of prickly spruce. Pyramid shape. The needles are blue. At the end of May, it turns the growths white-cream for 2 weeks. Annual growth is within 10-12 cm. Completely frost-resistant.
• Picea pungens Olo. Micro variety of prickly spruce. Very dense, round shape. Blue-green needles, annual growth within 3 cm. Completely frost-resistant.
• Picea pungens Ossario. A dwarf variety of prickly spruce. Round-oval shape. The needles are hard and blue. Annual growth is within 15 cm. Completely frost-resistant.
• Picea pungens Pendens. Large-sized variety of prickly spruce. Dense fastigiate form. In the early years it may have a flattened shape, but with age it actively pushes the conductor forward in the vertical direction. The needles are gray-blue. Annual growth within 30 cm. Tapeworm. Completely frost-resistant. There may be two different cultivars with the same name - Pendens.
• Picea pungens Saint Mary's Broom. Mini variety of prickly spruce. Round-oval shape. The needles are hard and blue. Annual growth is within 5-7 cm. Completely frost-resistant,
• Picea pungens The Blues. A dwarf, weeping variety of prickly spruce. The "witch's broom" that gave birth to this cultivar was found on P. pungens Glauca Globosa, but it is bluer and bluer than the mother plant. To give the cultivar a more interesting shape, it is necessary to fix the leading shoot at an angle of 45-60 degrees. Annual growth is within 15 cm. Completely frost-resistant.
• Picea pungens Waldbrunn. Mini variety of prickly spruce. Round-tiered, flat shape. The needles are blue. Annual growth is 5-8 cm. Completely frost-resistant.

Picea sitchensis- Sitka spruce

Grows along the west coast of North America. It is considered one of the largest among spruce trees, reaching 50 m in height. The shape is pyramidal, pointed. The needles are bicolor, green-blue. Immediately after the growing season it acquires rich silvery shades. The cones are brown, up to 10 cm long. Prefers moist soils and high humidity air. In recent years, its cultivars have been successfully tested in our gardens. Required terms their proper cultivation is regular sprinkling of the crowns, as well as two-time treatment against fungal diseases with copper-containing preparations: in the spring, before the start of the growing season, and before winter. Recommended Sitka spruce varieties:

Picea sitchensis Nona

Micro variety of Sitka spruce. Round shape. The needles are green-blue. Annual growth is 3-5 cm. Completely frost-resistant

Picea sitchensis Schenber

Mini variety of Sitka spruce. Round-oval shape. The needles are hard, green-blue. Annual growth is 6-10 cm. Completely frost-resistant

Picea sitchensis Silber Zwerg

Mini variety of Sitka spruce. Round shape. The needles are green-blue, silver. Annual growth within 10 cm. Completely frost-resistant. High air humidity is recommended Below we describe how to grow spruce in the garden and how to care for these trees.

How to grow a spruce and how to care for a tree in the garden

When growing spruce trees, keep in mind that these are shade-tolerant but light-loving plants. Only in an open place do they acquire a typical crown shape. In shaded places and in dense plantings they are not very decorative. An important condition for growing spruce trees of all types is the presence of light, fertile, loamy, slightly acidic soils. Also, these trees can develop quite successfully on any soil, including poor sandy loam and heavy loamy soil, but they will be less lush. Dwarf varieties should not be grown in overly rich soils - they may lose their typical crown shape.

Adult specimens have a powerful, branched root system and do not need feeding. Young plants can be fed in the spring after the snow melts on damp soil with a complex or combined mineral fertilizer of reduced concentration. Feeding with fresh manure and feces is strictly unacceptable.

Transplantation should be carried out either in the spring before the buds open, or in the fall. Plants with actively growing shoots take root poorly. Deepening the root collar is acceptable, but undesirable. Young plants tolerate replanting easily. Large specimens can be replanted only after preliminary preparation of the root ball. To do this, 6-12 months before transplanting, the plant is dug several times around the circumference of the crown, cutting the roots, resulting in the formation of a dense root ball. When caring for a spruce after planting, abundant watering is necessary, and when replanting in spring, spraying is necessary until rooting.

Mature spruce trees are very resistant to both waterlogging and drought, but it is not advisable to grow varietal forms in extreme conditions. Proper planting and care of spruce trees are shown in these photos:

Most species are frost-resistant. Young summer growth of spruce trees often suffer from late frosts, but grow back easily. To avoid loss of shape due to heavy snow, when caring for spruce while growing, it is recommended to tie up multi-stemmed varietal specimens for the winter. Creeping (elfin) varieties often rot away from heavy wet snow and ice accumulating near the ground. Therefore, in order to care for spruce trees in the garden as required by correct agricultural technology, branches of creeping forms must be laid on grates raised above the ground.

To create spectacular compositions in the garden, learn about the use of fir trees in landscape design.

The use of fir trees in garden landscape design (with photo)

Spruce is one of the main coniferous plants used in garden design in regions with long and frosty winters. The most common spruce is the common spruce, which has become the main “coniferous accent” in the compositions of northern parks. The use of prickly spruce in garden design is very popular - it is a favorite component of compositions. public buildings and memorials. Other types of spruce trees are rare guests of parks and gardens. The dominance of Norway spruce and prickly spruce over other species is quite justified, since they are not only the hardiest, but also have a considerable number of different garden forms. The use of fir trees in landscape design is truly universal. Varieties with a classic pyramidal crown shape are used to create alleys, planted singly as dominants and in groups to divide space into zones. Spherical and dwarf pyramidal forms are included in complex compositions of small gardens, rockeries and mixborders. Creeping and spreading varieties are indispensable for background plantings and for grafting onto trunks. Spruce is one of the best coniferous plants for creating hedges; it lends itself well to pruning. The formation of more compact specimens is possible by plucking out the central buds of lateral shoots in the fall and shortening similar shoots in the summer.

Seeds of most species freshly dropped from cones are capable of immediate germination. Seeds with hardened covers need awakening of the embryo, which requires a period of even low temperatures for 1-2 months. There are several ways to germinate spruce seeds. The simplest of them is winter sowing in a ridge to a depth of 1.5-2 cm with mulching to a height of 1-1.5 cm. In the spring, after the emergence of seedlings, the plants are pricked out (planted with the roots pinched) or left on the ridge until autumn or next spring.

Snowmaking, i.e. sowing seeds in boxes in autumn or winter and then removing them under the snow until spring. In spring or early summer, after germination, the plants are planted in a ridge or left in boxes until autumn.

Before seeding, many people use the cold stratification method. To do this, at the end of winter, the seeds are mixed with coarse, clean, slightly damp sand, sawdust or sphagnum moss, placed in plastic bags and stored in the refrigerator or basement at a temperature of +3 to +5 ᵒC for 1-3 months. Another option is to sow seeds in boxes or bowls. Earth mixture should be clean, light, consisting of rotted leaf soil, peat and coarse sifted sand in a ratio of 3:1:1. After sowing, the seeds are stored in the refrigerator or basement at a temperature of +3 to +5 ᵒC for 1-3 months. During this period, it is necessary to maintain an even, moderate level of substrate humidity and avoid temperature fluctuations. After undergoing stratification, the seeds stored in bags are washed and sown in boxes or bowls. Crops are exposed to light in a warm place (+18…+23 °C), where they germinate. A necessary condition Growing spruce from seeds is to keep the seedlings in the light, but not in the sun, and moderate watering. If the sprouts are overly thickened, then picking is required. If the seedlings develop normally, then when it gets warmer they are taken out into the garden and after hardening (gradually getting used to the sun and fresh air) they are planted in a ridge for growing.

When propagated by seed, varietal varieties weakly repeat their characteristic characteristics, and it is very difficult to identify them in the first year. To propagate varietal forms, the vegetative method is used.

And finally, learn how to propagate spruce by cuttings and layering.

How to propagate spruce: methods of propagation by layering and cuttings

Natural forms are very difficult to propagate vegetatively; varietal forms are much easier. Varieties of species with thin branches reproduce more easily than others, for example, blue spruce (Canadian) and black spruce. Horizontal layering is a method of propagating spruce trees that does not damage the mother plant, but does not guarantee the preservation of a typical spruce plant. pyramidal shape crowns As a rule, lopsided or creeping plants grow from rooted branches. Propagation by horizontal layering is quite promising for varieties with a drooping and spread-out crown. Buried branches take root within two or even three years.

Cuttings from young varietal plants with a compact, densely branched crown take root relatively well. Cuttings taken from wild species, especially from old specimens, take root very poorly.

Early spring, the moment the buds awaken, is most suitable for propagating spruce by cuttings. You can do this in the summer after the end of the first wave of growth, but in this case the cuttings never have time to form roots and overwinter only with an influx of callus, which is fraught with freezing. From columnar and narrow pyramidal forms, only vertical shoots are taken; in creeping varieties, on the contrary, any, except those tending upward; For spruce trees with a free, oval or spherical crown, the choice of cuttings does not matter.

The harvested cuttings are placed in a substrate consisting of coarse washed sand with possible additions of perlite, vermiculite, high peat, crushed sphagnum moss or fine sifted coniferous bark.

The temperature during spring cuttings of spruce trees is initially maintained at +15...+18 ᵒC, and after buds open, it is brought to +20...+23 °C. It is undesirable to raise it above +25 °С, above +30ᵒС is unacceptable.

Norway spruce is also known as Norway spruce. There are more than a hundred varieties. Only a few representatives of the genus are used for cultivation at home. Characterized by relatively slow growth. Depending on the subspecies, the height of the tree can reach from two to eight meters. Larger specimens are found in the wild. The branches are located horizontally. The diameter of the uneven crown is about two and a half meters. The needles are usually short. It has a thick structure and a glossy shine. Norway spruce looks especially impressive in early spring. Small bumps form on young shoots. There are varieties with red modified shoots. The plant is used to improve the area. The tree harmonizes delightfully in rock gardens and group plantings with annuals. Spruce is also cultivated as a tapeworm.

To grow spruce you need to choose a lighted place.

The plant is quite light-loving. Can tolerate light partial shade.

Watering

Spruce does not tolerate swampy substrate. During the summer drought, it is advisable to evenly moisten the soil. After watering, you need to loosen the tree trunk circle.

Transfer

Gardeners cannot come to a consensus regarding the effect of replanting on spruce. The plant tolerates changes in site zones well in early spring at temperatures down to -5 degrees. Severe frosts can damage root hairs. With the help of shoots, the plant receives minerals and water.

It is necessary to carefully remove the tree from the ground. It is important to keep the earthen ball intact. Before planting, you need to treat the roots with Kornevin. Hormonal feeding should be continued for an already planted plant for ten days. It is imperative to maintain uniform substrate moisture. For one watering, it is recommended to use at least three buckets of water at room temperature.

When choosing a seedling, you should also take into account the length of the spruce. Representatives of the family, about one and a half meters high, take root well. It is advisable to use a garden wheelbarrow for transportation. You will need to cover the top with a clean cloth.

Trimming

Growing spruce as a hedge will require periodic registration. Proper pruning will help create an impenetrable green wall.

In spring or late autumn, you need to remove all broken, damaged and dry branches. The tree produces a delightful crown naturally.

The plant tolerates pruning well.

Often, two apical parts of spruce begin to form simultaneously. It is necessary to cut off one of the tops at the base.

Preparing for winter

After planting, small Christmas trees require protection from scorching sun rays, returning or early autumn frosts. Several decorative forms of the genus also require shading and shelter.

After planting, be sure to cover the soil at the base with mulch. It is recommended to use softened peat. The needles should be covered with spruce branches, non-woven dense material or craft paper.

Features of breeding in open ground

To plant on the site you need to choose the right time. It is advisable to move the tree to open ground in May, after the soil has completely warmed up. If it is too cold in the spring, you should postpone planting to the end of August or the beginning of the autumn season.

All varieties have their own requirements for the planting site. Representatives of the genus need proper preparation holes. It is necessary to dig a groove at least sixty centimeters deep. Between the holes you need to leave a distance of about two and a half meters for the full formation of the crown.

At the bottom of the groove you need to lay out a thick layer of broken brick. It will take about fifteen centimeters. Then you need to fill the hole 2/3 with a nutrient soil mixture. As a substrate, it is necessary to use leaf soil, turf soil, peat and sand. It is also recommended to add “Nitroammofoska”.

To protect the spruce, you need to lay out a thick layer of mulch.

It's important to keep track correct location seedling. The root bud should remain at ground level. It is necessary to inspect the spruce regularly. The bud should not sink into the ground or become exposed. After planting, you should water the plant abundantly and cover it with a peat layer.

Growing technology

Substrate

The composition of the soil mixture depends on the method of tree propagation. To grow spruce from seeds, an acidic substrate should be prepared.

Can be purchased at garden centers ready mixture for coniferous crops. At home, you will need to mix coniferous forest soil and universal soil.

How to fertilize

Norway spruce responds well to periodic feeding. The plant is in dire need of nutritious soil.

Growing in a pot

To grow spruce indoors, you need to create favorable conditions. Norway spruce prefers brightly lit rooms.

Small specimens need warm and well-lit microclimatic conditions. It is necessary to protect fragile needles from direct sunlight. In winter, you can reduce the air temperature to + 10 degrees. The forest tree can also withstand frost. It is necessary to carefully monitor the condition of the soil. The substrate should not freeze.

In early spring, after the arrival of the first spring warmth, it is recommended to move the plant to the balcony. It is advisable to gradually accustom the tree to the new environment. The harsh influence of the scorching sun can damage the plant.

Proper watering guarantees successful cultivation in room conditions. It is recommended to moisten the soil abundantly from early March to September. In autumn, you should gradually reduce the amount of watering. In winter, you can moisten the soil no more than once every twenty days. You can follow the regime provided the air temperature is cool - from +6 to +10 degrees. At zero temperatures, watering can be done once a month.

Norway spruce can be transplanted into a container for indoor growing.

Unlike other representatives of the flora, the plant needs spraying precisely in the cold season.

Failure to follow simple recommendations can cause tree diseases. At home, common spruce often sheds its needles due to improper watering, low or too high temperatures, and also under the open scorching sun.

Wrinkled needles on an indoor tree indicate a slightly acidic soil reaction. It is necessary to add soil from coniferous crops to the top layer of the substrate.

The characteristics and features of Norway spruce can be learned from the plot:

The main problems, pests and diseases of spruce on the site

The yellowness of the needles appears due to the settlement of Hermes fir. Pest colonies resemble white cotton wool. The insect prefers the lower parts of the needles.

To get rid of the pest, it is necessary to spray the tree with a solution of “Antio” and “Rogor”. You will need twenty grams of product per ten liters of water.

Burnt shoots indicate a settlement of the common spruce sawfly. At the first signs of caterpillar settlement, it is necessary to spray Fufan on the tree. For one treatment, you need to prepare a solution of twenty milliliters of product and ten liters of water.

Brown spots and yellowing, as well as browning of needles, appear in spruce infected with common schutte. For treatment, it is recommended to use “Colloidal sulfur”, “ Bordeaux mixture" and "Zineb". To use the first drug, you will need to prepare a solution of 200 grams of the product and ten liters of water. For the next two preparations, you can dilute 100 grams of the product in ten liters of warm liquid.

Similar solutions will help get rid of rust. Determining the disease is quite simple. Orange dots appear on the needles. The shoots become covered with swellings. At the stage of severe damage, all diseased branches must be removed. It may also be necessary to remove the tree from the ground. Dangerous disease quickly infects other garden plants.

Characteristics of flowering and allergic reactions

Male and female cones are formed on spruce.

Spruce lacks the usual formation of flowers. At the end of spring, reproductive organs appear on the tree. The patches resemble inflorescences and perform similar functions.

The spruce blooms at the same time as the bird cherry. At the ends of the branches in the upper zone of the crown you can see bright red bumps. This is the earliest stage of the familiar, autumn brown cone.

The female cone is located inside the kidney. Before flowering, the bud swells greatly and sheds its protective red cap. The released female cone contains a rod with a large number of thin scales. In a broken young cone you can see several tubercles. The formed ovules subsequently turn into rudiments. After two weeks, the cones will change direction of growth. They will hang down.

Male cones are small in size. There are red and greenish with a yellow tint. On the outside, two oblong bags are made.

The crowns of individual representatives are richly decorated with bright red male cones. Spruce pollen is carried over long distances. A characteristic powdery mass can be seen on various objects.

It is very difficult to see the lumps up close. They are located high above the ground. Unlike pine, spruce forms cones already in the first year life cycle.

Spruce indoors can cause an allergic reaction. In fact, it is not the tree that causes intolerance, but mold fungi. Particles of epithelium and dust mites often settle on the needles.

Wood contains resin and pollen, which can also cause irritation. A cough, runny nose, and red eyes appear. In rare cases, skin reactions and exacerbation of bronchial asthma occur.

Reproduction

It is not recommended to use purchased seeds. Seed material often loses its viability under unfavorable storage conditions. It is advisable to collect seeds at the end of October or beginning of November. The cones should be brought home and laid out on a dry surface next to heating appliances.

After drying, seeds will appear. The collected rudiments must be treated with a weak solution of potassium permanganate. Then it should be placed in a container with heated sand. The planting depth should not exceed 1.5 centimeters. The bowl needs to be moved to the refrigerator door to create wild conditions.

With the help of stratification, germination can be effectively stimulated. After three months, the container should be taken out to a warm room. It is recommended to keep seedlings on the windowsill.

How to care for sown seeds

It is necessary to constantly maintain uniform substrate moisture. There should be a sufficient amount on the warm window solar lighting. After 2 weeks the first shoots will appear. It is not advisable to flood the seedlings with water. Young spruce may rot.

What to do with sprouts

It is important to maintain moderation in watering. It is also recommended to periodically fertilize the soil. Before planting, fertilizers can be applied to the soil 2 times. It is necessary to loosen the top layer of the substrate. As a preventative measure, it is advisable to treat the spruce with a weak insecticide solution.

Transplantation into the ground

Spruce after planting in open ground needs timely watering.

The grown sprouts in pots can be planted on the site. Brittle spruce needs to be created optimal conditions. Therefore, it is recommended to take the plant to open area at the end of May.
Compost and stimulating minerals should be added to the planting hole.

The seedling must be evenly placed in the hole and covered with soil. Lightly level the soil and water the plant. From above you need to cover the spruce with a cut plastic bottle. With the help of the greenhouse effect, the plant will quickly take root.

It is necessary to periodically open the spruce to remove condensation and allow air circulation. After a week, the bottle can be removed and the top layer of the substrate can be mulched.

Features of spruce

Some varieties can bear fruit only thirty times during the entire life cycle (about 500 years).

Spruce varieties are distinguished by faded and sparse flowering. The period of formation of cones takes about 7 days. Cones are often mistakenly called fruits. In fact, these are modified shoots.

The absence of flowering in the current season does not always indicate damage to the crop and unfavorable growing conditions.

How to choose planting material

Common spruce 2 meters high in burlap, as well as with an earthen lump in metal mesh can be purchased for two thousand rubles. average price on dwarf variety spruce "Nidiformis" is 450 rubles.

A representative of one of the many species of conifers of the Pine family, the well-known spruce owes its name to the ancient Romans. This is exactly what the translation of the word “resin” sounds like. In the green kingdom, spruce occupies one of the first places and belongs to a genus in which there are almost 50 species of plants distributed throughout the world: from Northern Europe and Central Asia to North America. What kind of spruce is there, what kind of tree is it? How long does it live on Earth and what forms does it take? Let's try to find answers to these questions.

Description of spruce

Tall, straight-trunked, evergreen slender trees with a dense cone-shaped crown, narrower when young, spruce trees are covered with branches to the very base. Their trunk is difficult to see - it is hidden by the widest spruce “paws”. Young trees have smooth gray bark with a brownish tint; on old spruce trunks it is thinner and peels in places. The needles are needle-shaped and can stay on branches for up to 7-9 years, although with environmental deterioration these periods are reduced, and in an urban environment the duration of preservation of needles does not exceed 3 years. The needles are single, tetrahedral or flattened, spirally arranged on the branches. The cones are hanging, elongated, cylindrical. Ripening in the fall, they open as the seeds disperse. The seed scales of the cone with a wide base cover small seeds equipped with cupped wings surrounding them.

Characteristics of the plant

The description of the spruce is unambiguous: it is one of the most unpretentious plants on the ground. It is undemanding to soil fertility and thrives on very poor soils. It is not afraid of shady slopes and slight waterlogging of soil areas. It is incredibly frost-resistant, and is not afraid of the sharply continental climate. But most species cannot withstand gas pollution and smoke; nevertheless, the tree is used in urban landscaping and is used both in single and group plantings for park alleys and snow protection strips. Dwarf or short decorative forms Perfect for decorating the landscape of small garden plots, slides and rock gardens.

Norway spruce or common spruce

The name of this tree speaks for itself and accurately indicates its habitat. European spruce grows in It is the basis that forms the taiga. In the north of Siberia and European Russia, tracts of common spruce are gradually being replaced by Siberian spruce. What kind of tree is this? There is no clear difference between these species. In the choice of growing conditions, spruce differs significantly from larch and pine, but there are no sharp intraspecific differences. They are so shade-loving that it is quite difficult to grow in open treeless areas, since even at the stage of shoots starting to grow, they are damaged by returning spring frosts or get sunburn. In addition, they suffer greatly from grass fires caused by seasonal arson.

Periods and characteristics of tree growth

The first 10 years the spruce tree grows slowly. Then the growth rate increases sharply, and after 100-120 years it stops again. Uneven, spasmodic growth distinguishes European spruce. It has long been known that this is a recognized long-liver. If conditions permit, it can easily live up to 250-300 years. The best soils for it are loams and sandstones. On them it forms a deep root system that firmly holds it on the surface. But spruce is a fan of fairly damp places. On excessively moist soils, the tree forms a small superficial root system and, with strong gusts of wind, may not be able to hold on and collapse to the ground. Spruce tolerates even slight waterlogging if it is of a flowing nature. It should be noted that spruce has significantly less than pine, which explains its instability in winds. The peculiarity of the tree is that its lower branches do not die off and remain dry, so it is quite dark and damp in spruce forests.

Spruce growing conditions

Spruce can be grown in most regions of the European part of Russia, in Siberia and in the south of the Far East. But this is a very delicate type of wood.

It is better to plant it under the canopy of more stable representatives of the flora - oak, birch or pine. This is especially important for fairly dry and poor soils, on which spruce grows difficult, since well-moistened soils are preferable for it. Spruce is much more demanding in terms of growing conditions than pine, which can grow well on dry sandy soils. This is why spruce and pine rarely grow side by side - they need too different conditions.

Reproduction

Spruce is easy to grow from seeds, which are very simple to collect: just cut a few in the fall and keep them at home until they dry completely. There is no need to peel them. Once dry, the cones will open on their own and give off seeds, which usually have excellent germination. They should be treated with a weak solution of potassium permanganate, and then placed in pots with calcined river sand, deepened by 1-1.5 cm. The containers are placed on top shelf refrigerator for stratification. This procedure is necessary, since in nature all conifer seeds are exposed to cold. Stratification stimulates the germination of seedlings. Untreated seeds can lie in the ground for several years without sprouting. Containers should be kept in the cold for 3 months. After this time, the containers with the planted seeds are placed in a bright and warm place.

Landing dates

The ideal sowing time is considered to be the end of October - November. If you plant seeds during this period, you should remove the container from the refrigerator in February-March. This is the most favorable time for germination, as spring comes, daylight hours increase, and all plants begin to grow.

Watering and care

The period of seedling germination requires especially generous watering, since one should act in accordance with natural conditions. After all, in the spring, during snowmelt, the soil is especially moist. Warmth and humidity are the main conditions for activating seedlings of conifers. After a couple of weeks, the baby spruce should emerge. That this is a real conifer is immediately obvious: the needles appear first. Now you should be careful and maintain a balance, that is, water the sprouts as much as necessary, avoiding both underwatering and excessive moisture. Once every two weeks, young Christmas trees need to be fed and the top soil layer loosened.

When it gets warmer outdoors and the return frosts recede, small seedlings can be planted in the ground. Before planting, add compost or humus mixed with soil and a little complex mineral fertilizers. The Christmas trees are no longer fed. Having placed the seedlings in a hole, the roots are carefully covered with soil, tamped down, well shed with water and create a small
a greenhouse made of covering material, film or glass jar.

This is necessary for faster acclimatization of seedlings.

Seedlings in greenhouses should be ventilated every day. They need to be opened, condensation removed and soil moisture checked. After 7-10 days, the shelters can be removed, and the soil around the Christmas trees can be mulched to maintain soil moisture. As a rule, nurseries grow spruce seedlings in containers for 3-4 years. Since the tree grows very slowly, this period is considered optimal for the successful further development of conifers of this age, which are more adapted to temperature changes and are no longer afraid of frost and sunburn. They are also planted with one feeding and good watering.

Varieties of spruce and their use

Like many conifers, spruce is quite decorative. It has always been a decoration of Russian estates, gardens and parks. Today, thanks to extensive breeding work, many types of spruce trees have been developed that are used in garden landscape design. A Christmas tree, personally grown from seeds, will not only decorate the area, but can also become the founder of family traditions. This method of growing spruce trees from seeds is suitable for all tall species. In addition, such cultivation guarantees excellent adaptation of the seedling to the climatic conditions of the area. From existing species Special attention landscape designers attracted by dwarf spruce. Low-growing varieties usually do not exceed a meter in height and have a wide, dense crown.

They are perfect for decorating garden compositions, stone and alpine slides. One of the most spectacular and sought-after representatives of these species is the Nidiformis spruce.

Dwarf forms: description

Nidiformis is a variety with a round crown shape and a central recess. The height of the tree barely reaches 1 m, and the crown reaches a diameter of 3 m. The flattened crown is formed in the form of a nest, since the tree has no main branches, and numerous shoots grow fan-shaped. The short dark green needles are magnificent, very thick and evenly covering the branches. The tree grows very slowly, adding no more than 3-4 cm in height and 5-7 cm in width per year. The herringbone is undemanding to the soil, grows well on moderately fertile sandstones of any acidity level, but can die if groundwater is constantly located near the root system. This spruce, like all low-growing coniferous trees, photos of which are presented, is very decorative. And its slow growth allows the landscape, once created, to be preserved for many years. Nidiformis are frost-resistant, but it is better to cover young plants when there is a threat of return spring frosts.

Evergreen dwarf conifers: reproduction

Low-growing forms are not pure species and are propagated exclusively by vegetative means - by cuttings and layering, but not by seeds.

The fact is that such plants appear as a result of mutation various types conifers, and from their seeds, as a rule, ordinary tall, rather than dwarf, coniferous trees grow. Photos of decorative low-growing species can be found in specialized literature. If you can’t grow such a conifer yourself, there is only one way left - to the store. usually sold in containers. The main rule when purchasing this rather expensive acquisition is the firm belief that root system The seedling is strong, well developed, not damaged either mechanically or by pests. And before going to the store, you should familiarize yourself with information about the shape of the crown, features, size of the plant and care for it.

Many coniferous species preserve for many years good shape regardless of the variety. Low-growing species may initially have a spherical crown, and over time form a cone. Nevertheless, spruce and pine are such common trees that it is impossible to imagine Russia without these majestic conifers.

Hello dear reader!

Coniferous trees don't bloom. We know this for sure from botany lessons. But during pollination, in late spring - early summer, our conifers become no less decorative than many flowering ones.

But the process itself seed propagation gymnosperms and flowering plants differ more in particulars. In the main thing it is similar.

Well, conifers don’t have flowers... But they do have blooming in spring pine, blooming spruce, blooming larch and fir.

I have already talked about how pine trees bloom in. How does spruce bloom?

These photos of a blooming spruce were taken in May - early June.

Here general form in the spring. Raspberry candles at the ends of the branches are female cones. Light green tassels – vegetative shoots this year. There are also collections of male cones - microstrobils - here, but they are somehow lost against the general background.

But the microstrobils ate closer. They grow on the tips of the side branches, and therefore, as if in the depths of the crown. Male cones sit one at a time, or more often in groups.

This is where pollen is produced. Spruce pollen grains are not as volatile as those of pine. But the wind still carries them away for several kilometers.

The female cone (megastrobil) is very small and pink at first. But it grows quickly, darkens somewhat, becoming crimson. A young cone develops at the top of the shoot. And at this time it is raised up. If the branch is very sagging, the cone may also look to the side - after all, it is oriented relative to the shoot itself.

Ovules develop under its covering scales. When the cone is ready for pollination, its spine begins to grow rapidly and the scales move apart. The vertical position of the cone provides convenient access to pollen.

Pollination has passed - the covering scales block access to the inside of the cone. And she herself begins to sag and soon looks no longer up, but down. And the color changes - first to greenish-crimson, then to brown.

In contrast, fertilization and seed ripening occur in one season. By the beginning of winter, the seeds were ripe. But they will spend several more months “locked up” under the covering scales.

Only in February - March the cones begin to open. Small seeds, equipped with a wing, glide onto the snow. And on its surface at this time crust is quite common. Along it, along with the drifting snow, the seed is carried away from its native tree, sometimes quite far.

The empty old cones hang on the tree for some time, gradually falling off.

A flowering spruce is not as spectacular as a flowering pine. But most often we simply do not pay attention to the “blooming” of the Christmas tree. Cones are usually formed closer to the top of the tree, away from our prying eyes.

This is how the spruce blooms every spring.

I invite you to watch the second part of a wonderful film with Yuri Grigoriev. About how village beer is brewed. About a piece of Russia surrounding Moscow...