Norway spruce is a fairly common plant that serves as a worthy decoration for a suburban area. This culture is often used in landscape design. Today, more than a hundred garden varieties of spruce trees are known, which helps every gardener choose the appropriate option. In order for the plant to have the desired decorative effect, it is necessary to strictly follow the rules for planting work.
What kind of tree is this
According to the description, Norway spruce is an evergreen plant from the Pine family. It is characterized by a wide pyramidal crown with a pointed tip.Mature trees reach a height of 30-50 meters and have a width of 6-8 meters. The branches are directed in different directions or droop. At the same time, their tips rise beautifully upward.
Norway spruce is characterized by shiny needles of a rich green hue. It has 4 sides and is 2.5 centimeters long. Spruce blossoms begin in the spring. This happens at the age of 25. In this case, the tree is covered with male and female cones. Male ones are distinguished by a red-yellow hue and are about 2 centimeters long. Female cones are characterized by an elongated shape and reach a length of 15 centimeters.
Norway spruce is characterized by a fairly long life expectancy. It can be 250-300 years. The number of years lived is calculated by the number of crown tiers. Each of them is added once a year. It takes 3-4 years to form the first tier.
In a year, the common spruce grows approximately 50 centimeters in height. During the first 10 years, the culture is characterized by very slow development and root growth. After which the plant begins to grow faster. The root system is quite weak, so trees often suffer from windbreaks. When planting a crop, it is important to take this feature into account and give preference to places protected from the wind.
Varieties of varieties
Norway spruce looks different - it all depends on its variety. The most common types of such plants include the following:
- Nidiformis – is a dwarf subspecies of Norway spruce. This is a compact crop that is often used in small gardens. It resembles a bush and has an unusual flat-rounded crown of high density. The variety is highly resistant to frost and can withstand temperatures down to -40 degrees.The culture is undemanding to soil composition, but grows best in fresh, moist soil.
- Akrokona is one of the most picturesque varieties, which has been known since the end of the nineteenth century. The plant is characterized by an irregular columnar shape of the crown and arched hanging branches. An adult crop reaches a height of 3 meters. The crown width is the same size. The spruce is also distinguished by a short dark green crown, which stays on the branches for 12 years.
- Inversa is one of the most interesting varieties of the so-called weeping spruce. The tree has a narrow crown and has flowing branches. The crop is grown as a slow-growing shrub on a support or grafted onto a tall trunk. Hanging branches are distinguished by their tight fit to the trunk. Therefore, even in adult crops, the crown in diameter does not exceed 2.5 meters.
- Wills Zwerg is a low-growing variety that is characterized by slow growth. By the age of 30, it grows to 2 meters. In this case, the width of an adult plant does not exceed 1 meter. Spruce is characterized by a beautiful dense crown, which looks very effective at the initial stage of shoot development. They are yellow-orange in color and contrast with the dark green needles of the branches. The variety is resistant to frost. The plant can withstand temperatures down to -40 degrees. It is considered very light-loving, but can also develop in the shade.
- Little Jam - This is one of the smallest plants that is characterized by slow growth. It is characterized by a cushion-shaped dense crown and short branches. The plant has a thin and delicate crown of a dark green hue. By the age of 10, the spruce grows only 20 centimeters. The maximum height is 50 centimeters.
Spreading
Under natural conditions, Norway spruce is found in northeastern Europe. It also grows in the Carpathians and Alps. In addition, the culture can be found in the mountainous regions of the Balkan Peninsula. In the Siberian taiga, spruce grows together with deciduous trees and pines. Trees with dark green needles are found in small numbers in the Pyrenees, North America and the British Isles.
Landing Features
In European countries, planting Norway spruce, which grows in a container, can be done from early spring to late autumn. Coniferous crops take root especially well in the autumn. In this case, the landing recess must be made larger than the volume of the container. When planting several crops, the distance between them should be approximately 2 meters.
When moving a plant with a lump of soil into a hole, it is recommended to fill the voids with loose garden soil and compost. It is also permissible to use vermicompost for this purpose. It is worth using nitroammophoska as a top dressing. It is not recommended to bury the root collar. It should be flush with the ground surface. A planted tree needs abundant watering. In this case, it takes root better.
Care requirements
In order for the cultivation of Norway spruce to be successful, it needs to be provided with high-quality care. It includes the following components:
- Soil selection. The culture of this species grows well in soil of moderate moisture, which has good drainage and a sufficient level of fertility. This is due to the fact that the roots of the plant are short. Slightly acidic loams are considered the most suitable option. Some varieties require a slightly alkaline soil reaction.However, in general, spruce trees develop well in slightly acidic and neutral soil. When growing a plant in poor sandy soil, clay and humus must be added to the composition.
- Sufficient level of illumination. Most varieties of spruce can withstand direct sunlight well. However, in the first 2 winters, dwarf varieties are recommended to be shaded. Many varieties are shade tolerant. At the same time, a beautiful crown is formed only with a sufficient amount of sunlight.
- Regular watering. Under natural conditions, spruce of this species grows in moderately moist soil. When planting on a site, the plant needs to be watered. This is especially true in the first year. You need to moisten the soil once a week. It is worth using 10-12 liters of water per seedling. When it’s hot in the morning and evening, it’s worth organizing a shower for the ate. After 1-2 years, most spruce varieties do not require watering.
- Fertilizer application. When planting, it is recommended to use phosphorus and potassium. It is also useful to use softwood sawdust. However, the use of manure or fresh compost is prohibited. It is also not recommended to introduce nitrogen substances and ash. When growing spruce in fertile soil, it does not need to be fed during the first 2-3 years. Subsequently, special fertilizing is applied to the tree trunk circle. If the needles turn yellow and fall off, in the first year it is worth spraying the crown with Epin or Ferrovit.
Reproduction
Spruce of this species reproduces in different ways:
- By seeds - in this case, the varietal characteristics of the crop are not preserved. However, this method is often used by people who need a large amount of planting material and have the necessary amount of time. It is important to use fresh seeds that have been stratified.
- By grafting - this method is suitable for varietal crops. With its help, it is possible to preserve the main characteristics of the mother plant.
- Cuttings - this method is used for propagating varietal spruce trees. However, in this case, a number of important rules must be observed.
Diseases and pests
Spruce is not recommended to be planted after nightshade crops. They suffer from fungal infections that can affect coniferous plants. As the disease develops, the shoots become brown and dry out. In this case, it is necessary to use fungicides.
Application
Norway spruce is often used to create various compositions. Dwarf varieties are usually combined with ferns and ground cover crops. They are also used to decorate alpine slides and rockeries. In addition, spruce goes well with herbaceous crops.
Norway spruce is a fairly popular plant that is often used in landscape design. In order for a crop to remain decorative for as long as possible, it needs to be properly cared for.
