Nigra Compacta Oriental Spruce
Picea orientalis 'Nigra Compacta'
Height: 8 feet
Spread: 5 feet
Sunlight:
Hardiness Zone: 5a
Description:
This very slow growing variety is a real beauty; shiny needles are shorter and darker green than most; a very dense pyramidal compact tree, but will start out wider than tall; a perfect choice for accenting the landscape
Ornamental Features
Nigra Compacta 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 lime green in spring. The glossy needles are highly ornamental and remain dark green throughout the winter. The rough brown bark adds an interesting dimension to the landscape.
Landscape Attributes
Nigra Compacta 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.
Nigra Compacta Oriental Spruce is recommended for the following landscape applications;
- Accent
- General Garden Use
Planting & Growing
Nigra Compacta Oriental Spruce will grow to be about 8 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 5 feet. It has a low canopy, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 50 years or more.
This shrub should only be grown in full sunlight. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist growing conditions, but will not tolerate any 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.
