Picea abies 'Clanbrassiliana' (Clanbrassiliana Norway Spruce)


Michael's Opinion

A nicely formed dwarf spruce tolerant of urban environments. Works well in gardens, with perennials, and en masse. An attractive, clean-cut looking shrub requiring minimal maintenance.

Botanical Information

FamilyPinaceae
GenusPicea
Speciesabies
Cultivar'Clanbrassiliana'
CategoryWoody
TypeShrub (evergreen)
Pronunciation

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone1a - 6a
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness Zone0a - 5b
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness ZoneH7
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)-40 - (-7)
Temperature (°F)-40 - 20
Height1 - 2.5 m
Spread1 - 2 m
GrowthSlow
Flowering PeriodApril, May

Description and Growing Information

General DescriptionPicea abies 'Clanbrassiliana' is a slow-growing dwarf spruce with dark green foliage and light brown cylindrical cones when mature.
ID CharacteristicSmall, mounded, globe-shaped, dark green, dense foliage that is a vibrant lime green in the spring.
ShapeRounded and globular becoming broadly conical with age.
LandscapeThrives in urban areas.
CultivationTolerant of most soil types but prefers moist, sandy, and acidic soils. Tolerant of wind and air pollution. It prefers full to partial sun and intolerant of standing water. Should be balled and burlapped for transplanting.
PestsCan be susceptible to red spider, spruce gall aphid, budworm, and borers.
Notable SpecimensThe Van Dusen Garden, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Tollymore Park, Newcastle, County Down, Northern Ireland. Royal Horticultural Society, Wisley, Woking, England. The Holden Arboretum, Kirtland, Ohio, the United States of America. The Arboretum, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
HabitatHorticultural origin.
Bark/Stem DescriptionYoung bark is thin becoming thicker as it ages with thin, grey-brown, flaking surface scales.
Flower/Leaf Bud Description5 ⨉ 10 cm, light brown, cylindrical. Young cones are purple or green in colour.
Leaf DescriptionFinely textured and dense. Lime green in the spring.
Flower DescriptionMonoecious, pinkish-red.

Photographs