Spruce, Serbian

Picea omorika

Height: 40-60ft
Spread: 15-20ft
Zone: 4-7
Exposure: Full sun to part shade
Growth Rate: Slow
Uses: Specimen, shade tree, park tree
Maintenance: Low
Tree Shape: Pyramidal, narrow
Other: Evergreen, deer resistant

Serbian spruces are characterized by their soft needles on downward pointing branchlets and their narrow, pyramidal habit that often deems them one of the most attractive spruces for landscapes. In maturity, main branches are pendulous and the tips will point upwards. The flat needles are soft, dark green, and silvery on the undersides. Cones may be present and often emerge purplish-brown before aging to a yellowy-brown. Bark is also attractive, often cracking and breaking into scaly brown plates that add winter interest and texture to the landscape. Serbian spruce do best in well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Although they prefer cooler summers, they are also quite adaptable to the heat and humidity of Iowa.