Species Serbian spruce Guide
short, blue-green, needle-like leaves with creamy-brown stems

Serbian spruce

Picea omorika 'De Ruyter'

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Cutting,Grafting Propagation,Layering Propagation,Air Layering Propagation,Tissue Culture

Hardiness Zone:

4 - 7

Flowers:

Flowers

Sun:

Full sun,part shade

Cones:

Yes

Leaf:

Yes

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

For a Serbian spruce, water it deeply every 2 to 3 weeks. Make sure the soil is well-draining so that it isn't at risk of becoming water logged. When watering, repeat the process until the water runs out of the bottom of the pot or reaches the root zone of the tree. Allow the soil to dry out between waterings. During the growing season, adjust the frequency to once a week, but only water when the soil is dry. In the winter, reduce the frequency of watering to once a month or even every 6 weeks.

sunlight

Serbian spruce (Picea omorika 'De Ruyter') prefers full sun exposure for optimal growth, so the best time for sunlight is during the day from 9am to 3pm. While this species of spruce can tolerate some shade, it is important to allow the tree 5 or more hours of direct sunlight per day to prevent weak or spindly growth as well as sun-scorch. To ensure the Serbian spruce tree receives its necessary sunlight, it should not be planted in a shady or heavily wooded area, nor should it be placed near objects that can block sunlight, such as buildings, large rocks or other trees.

pruning

Serbian spruce (Picea omorika 'De Ruyter') should be pruned in late winter or early spring before new buds develop to ensure optimal growth. Pruning should be kept to a minimum with only light shaping and removal of undesirable crossed and damaged limbs. Removal of more than 10% of the crown should be avoided. Mature Serbian spruces may require removal of dead foliage and branches to keep them healthy.