Picea abies 'Little Gem' (Little Gem Norway Spruce)


Michael's Opinion

A charming, very dense, compact cultivar that can be planted as an accent or specimen plant in the a garden or border front.

Botanical Information

FamilyPinaceae
GenusPicea
Speciesabies
Cultivar'Little Gem'
CategoryWoody
TypeShrub (evergreen)
OriginFound in Holland around 1965 by Grootendorst Nursery in Boskoop.
Pronunciation

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone3 - 7
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness Zone1a - 7a
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness ZoneH5 - H7
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)-40 -(-12)
Temperature (°F)-40 - 10
Height10 - 50 cm
Spread10 - 50 cm
GrowthSlow

Description and Growing Information

General DescriptionPicea abies 'Little Gem' is a small, round, dense evergreen shrub with new growth lighter in colour.
ID CharacteristicLow-growing, similar to P. abies 'Nidiformis'. Luminescent appearance due to the contrast in colour between new and old growth.
ShapeTightly rounded to globose.
LandscapeCan be used as a specimen, foundation, container or trough plant.
PropagationBy grafting scions onto P. pungens rootstock. Most plants for sale are 1 - 4 years old.
CultivationGrow in moist, free-draining, acidic soil, in sun to partial shade. Shelter from cold, drying winds, especially critical in winter months. Plants in troughs or containers may need additional winter protection.
PestsGenerally problem free.
Notable SpecimensMemorial University Botanic Garden, St. John, Newfoundland.
HabitatHorticultural origin.
Bark/Stem DescriptionSmooth, light-coloured bark, hidden by dense foliage.
Flower/Leaf Bud DescriptionLight brown, oval with a scale-like texture, 5 - 10 mm long.
Leaf DescriptionNeedle-like, very stiff, 1 - 2 cm long, green with newer foliage yellow-green.
Flower DescriptionNon-flowering.

Photographs