Dwarf Alberta Spruces (2024)

FAQs

What are common problems with dwarf Alberta spruce? ›

Most commonly, dwarf Alberta spruce fall victim to spruce spider mites. These tiny yet extremely destructive relatives of spiders can quickly kill a tree. Since they're so tiny, mites are almost impossible to see. To check for an infestation, come spring, head out to the plant with a piece of white paper.

Trees, shrubs and perennials growing in containers need extra care for winter. Large containers and plants one or two zones hardier than your area can survive outdoors in the landscape. Dwarf Alberta spruce, hardy in zones 2 to 6, but subject to winter burn whether grown in ground or in planters.

Dwarf Alberta spruce does best in full sun, but it can tolerate some shade. Provide these trees with an eastern or northern exposure for the best results. If you live in a hot climate, choose a spot where the plant will receive shade for at least part of the day.

Ideal range 60°F to 70°F, but can survive down to -40°F. Avoid harsh sun by positioning on the north or east side. Monitor and protect using thermometers, mulch, and shade cloth.

Discover Dwarf Alberta Spruce

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.

Dwarf Alberta spruce is often used as a foundation plant, although over time it will become too large for that type of spot unless regularly pruned. Shrub roots generally do not cause problems with foundations unless there is already an imperfection in it; the roots will exploit any small gap and could make it worse.

It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 50 years or more. This shrub does best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out.

If the whole tree has turned brown, remove it and clean up as much of the brown needles to minimize pests and diseases still in the leaf litter. Then start over with better planting and watering, in a different part of your garden, or with another kind of evergreen.

Primarily, it is to reduce exposure of the plant to the drying effects of wind and sun during the winter season. You can accomplish this task in a number of ways. Quite often, burlap is used to create a physical barrier against the wind, either by wrapping the plants individually or creating a "wall" of burlap.

Spotting the signs of water distress in your Dwarf Alberta Spruce is crucial. Over-watering symptoms include yellow needles and a general sense of sogginess around the plant's base. Conversely, under-watering presents as wilting, with the needles feeling dry and possibly turning brown.

What pairs well with dwarf Alberta spruce? ›

In another area of this garden, a backdrop planting of dwarf Alberta spruce draws attention from a hosta and astilbes in the foreground to create a pleasing sense of depth. The vertical backdrop of trees also helps muffle city noise and blocks the view of nearby buildings.

Dwarf Alberta Spruce is very sensitive to winter burn, drought stress as well as spider mites. All three of these conditions cause browning of the needles.

These evergreens are favored for their pyramidal shape, attractive color, straight trunks, attractive bark, and the regular horizontal arrangement of their branches. How far from the house should a spruce be planted? Full-size spruce trees should be sited at least 25 feet away from a house.

Full sun to partial shade is the mantra for your outdoor Dwarf Alberta Spruce. This evergreen is a sun worshipper, basking in at least six hours of sunlight a day to maintain its vibrant green hue.