Species Norway spruce
brown, rough stems with short, smooth, green, needle-like leaves

Norway spruce

Picea abies 'Little Joe'

Also Known As - Norwegian Spruce
Norway Spruce, or Picea abies 'Little Joe', is a dwarf evergreen tree reaching heights of about 10 feet. Its dense, pyramidal shape and dense, dark green needles make it an excellent choice for areas needing low to medium screening. Its slow growth rate and bright coloration make it a popular choice for small gardens and landscapes. Its cones are 3 to 4 inches long and are a great food source for birds. The Norway Spruce is hardy in USDA zones 3-7 and prefers full sun and well-drained soil.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Seed Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

3

Flowers:

Non-flowering Flowers

Sun:

Full sun, Part sun/part shade

Soil:

Acidic, Well-drained

Cones:

Yes

Leaf:

Yes

Growth Rate:

High

Maintenance:

Low

Care Level:

Moderate

watering

Norway spruce plants should be watered regularly. In general, aim to water them no more than once a week during the growing season (spring and summer). However, they may need more frequent watering if your area is experiencing a particularly hot or dry spell. To water your Norway spruce, use a soaker hose or sprinkle can and give the plant a deep soaking. Make sure to water the entire root system, not just the top soil layer. In the winter season, watering can be reduced to every other week.

sunlight

Norway spruce (Picea abies 'Little Joe') requires full sun or partial shade (at least 4 hours of sunlight) for optimal growth and health. The amount of sunlight will vary with the season. During the long days of summer, Norway spruces should have about 6 to 8 hours of sunlight, and during the shorter days of winter, at least 4 hours of sunlight is recommended.

pruning

Norway spruce 'Little Joe' should be pruned once a year, in the late winter or early spring before new growth starts. You should remove any dead, diseased, weak, or crossing branches, as well as any branches that are growing inward. Pruning should be light; remove no more than 1-third of the length of the branches in any given year. This will help maintain the dwarf shape and promote healthy growth.

Hardiness Map