Shadow's Broom Oriental Spruce
Picea orientalis 'Shadow's Broom'
Height: 12 feet
Spread: 12 feet
Sunlight:
Hardiness Zone: 5
Description:
A very slow growing evergreen shrub with a wide shape, that eventually develops a leader; bright green new growth matures to glossy deep green; very adaptable, an excellent landscape accent or border plant
Ornamental Features
Shadow's Broom Oriental Spruce is a dwarf conifer which is primarily valued in the landscape or garden for its distinctively pyramidal habit of growth. It has attractive dark green evergreen foliage which emerges light green in spring. The glossy needles are highly ornamental and remain dark green throughout the winter.
Landscape Attributes
Shadow's Broom Oriental Spruce is a dense multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with a distinctive and refined pyramidal form. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other landscape plants with less refined foliage.
This is a relatively low maintenance shrub. When pruning is necessary, it is recommended to only trim back the new growth of the current season, other than to remove any dieback. It has no significant negative characteristics.
Shadow's Broom Oriental Spruce is recommended for the following landscape applications;
- Accent
- Mass Planting
- General Garden Use
Planting & Growing
Shadow's Broom Oriental Spruce will grow to be about 12 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 12 feet. It tends to fill out right to the ground and therefore doesn't necessarily require facer plants in front, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 80 years or more.
This shrub should only be grown in full sunlight. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution, and will benefit from being planted in a relatively sheltered location. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America.
