Silver spruce has outstanding decorative qualities. This crop is considered undemanding to growing conditions. It perfectly withstands strong temperature drops and air pollution. In addition, the crop is characterized by resistance to snow drifts. The plant can be used to decorate a site - as a tapeworm or to create beautiful compositions.
Description of appearance
Silver spruce is characterized by a symmetrical pyramidal or cone-shaped crown. Its diameter is 6-8 meters. Flat branches on the tree are arranged quite tightly, forming horizontal tiers. As a rule, they are lowered low.
A characteristic feature of the culture is the gray-blue color of the needles. The most beautiful plants are those with the maximum silver content in shades of pine needles. It is noteworthy that after the shoots stop growing, the gray-blue tint becomes less intense. At the same time, the needles acquire a green color.
Young needles have a soft green tint and are covered with a slight white coating. They reach a length of 3 centimeters and have 4 sides at the base. The trunk of the silver spruce is covered with brown-gray bark, which resembles a straight column. Its diameter is 1 meter. The older the tree, the thicker the bark it has. The thickness of this layer reaches 3 centimeters.
Popular varieties
The most popular representative of silver spruce trees is the prickly blue variety. It reaches a height of 10 meters and has a beautiful conical crown. This tree is characterized by rather hard needles of different shades - from blue-green to silver. As the culture matures, it turns blue. It is most often planted as a tapeworm. The plant is considered undemanding in terms of soil composition and humidity.
Another common variety, which is distinguished by silver-blue needles, is Koster. This plant is characterized by a conical crown. It reaches 7 meters in height.
The lightest color of the needles is characteristic of the Hoopsii variety. To give its crown a beautiful crown, in the first years the young tree must be tied up.
Distribution area
North America is considered the birthplace of this plant. The silver spruce is the symbol of the states of Utah and Colorado. Today this crop is grown everywhere. It is often used for landscaping industrial enterprises. At the same time, the plant acquires maximum decorative value at 30-40 years old - it is at this age that its color becomes most intense.
Proper tree planting
The tree is best grown in partial shade. At the same time, the crop is considered not too demanding on the composition of the soil, but in fertile soil it forms a deeper root system. When replanting a plant, it is important to ensure that its roots do not dry out. Like all spruce trees, the crop does not tolerate compaction and trampling of the soil.
The plant is considered unstable to high groundwater levels. Therefore, in this case it is worth providing a drainage layer. For this purpose, it is recommended to use crushed stone and geotextiles. When planting silver spruce, it is important to ensure that its root collar is located flush with the ground surface.
The culture is considered not particularly demanding on the composition of the soil. However, it is best to plant it in sandy loam soil and loam. Suitable acidity parameters are at the level of 4-5.5. When preparing a planting hole, you need to make a nutrient substrate. To do this, it is recommended to mix turf soil, sand and peat. This is done in a ratio of 2:1:1. Also, during planting, it is worth using 100 grams of nitroammophoska.
Aftercare
Young plants 1 year old need to be watered 5-7 times a day in small portions. It is recommended to moisten older plants 1-2 times a day. Adult spruce trees require watering once a week.In this case, it is worth using 10 liters of water.
It is recommended to moisten the soil in the early morning or late evening. The water should be warm. Young trees also require crown irrigation. This procedure helps wash away dust and dirt. It should be done every other day.
Silver spruce does not tolerate organic and nitrogen fertilizing. Also, an excess of any fertilizer can be detrimental to the plant. When adding nutritional compounds, it is important to observe the measure. At the same time, experts advise using special preparations for coniferous crops.
It is recommended to start feeding the spruce immediately after the snow melts on the site. In this case, it is recommended to scatter the dry product in a circle around the trunk and work it into the soil a little with a rake. Spruce trees older than 5 years do not need to be fed.
Despite the beautiful symmetrical crown, the tree requires periodic pruning. In this case, it is worth removing dried or diseased branches. If there is a need for crown formation, major pruning is carried out in the summer - when young shoots grow. In autumn, this procedure is contraindicated.
Mature plants easily tolerate frost. At the same time, young crops require additional insulation. It is recommended to press the branches against the trunk and secure them in this form with a rope. This will help prevent them from breaking under the weight of snow.
Winter sun can damage the needles. This causes it to yellow and fall off. To prevent problems from occurring, it is worth covering the plant with cotton cloth or using agrofibre. Mature spruce trees do not need this.
Application
Silver spruce trees are often used in landscape design. They are suitable for use as solitaires and in small groups. Such plants can be a wonderful accent.They are also often used to form hedges.
Silver spruce is considered a popular decorative crop that fits perfectly into a variety of compositions. To make this plant look attractive, it is important to properly care for it.
