Picea abies 'Virgata' (Snake Spruce)


Michael's Opinion

The Snake Spruce is an interesting evergreen tree and a popular ornamental. Its long pendulous branches make it a good choice as a specimen tree. It tolerates most soil conditions, salt, urban pollution, and it is drought tolerant which makes it suitable for xeriscaping.

Botanical Information

FamilyPinaceae
GenusPicea
Speciesabies
Cultivar'Virgata'
CategoryWoody
TypeTree (evergreen)
ReferencesHillier’s Manual of Trees and Shrubs. South Brunswick and New York: A.S. Barnes and Company, 1972.
OriginHorticultural origin.
Pronunciation

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone2a–7b
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)-37
Temperature (°F)-35
Height10–15 m
Spread4–6 m
GrowthMedium
Flowering PeriodApril, May, June

Description and Growing Information

General DescriptionThe Snake Spruce is a medium sized pyramidal evergreen tree with long, whorled, and sparse branches and pendulous branchlets.
ID CharacteristicThe Snake Spruce can be identified by its long weeping branches that create a snake-like appearance.
ShapeThis tree has a pyramidal form with weeping branches.
LandscapeThis tree can be used as a specimen in the landscape.
PropagationThis cultivar is propagated by cuttings and grafting. It does not seed because the flowers are sterile.
CultivationThe Snake Spruce requires full sun and moist soils and needs regular watering, although it is drought tolerant. It can grow in clay, loam, or sandy type soils that are acidic, neutral, or slightly alkaline. It also tolerates salt and urban pollution.
PestsIt is relatively pest and disease free and deer do not like the foliage.
Notable SpecimensThe Van Dusen Garden, Vancouver, B.C., Canada.
Bark/Stem DescriptionThe bark of this tree is smooth and grey and not particularly outstanding.
Leaf DescriptionThe leaves are long dark green needles arranged singly on branches. They are irregular in length and can grow up to 26 mm.
Flower DescriptionThe flowers are naked male anthers and naked female ovules in between the scales of the cones. They are pink and insignificant when in bloom.
Fruit DescriptionIts fruit is an insignificant brown woody cone that is not as prickly as most pine cones.
Colour DescriptionThe needles are dark green and the bark is grey and they do not develop any autumn colour.
Texture DescriptionThis tree has a medium overall texture.

Photographs