Blue Spruce and Norway Spruce get a lot of attention, but if you want a graceful evergreen tree that nobody else on the block has, why not plant a Serbian Spruce? This elegant, underused conifer is known for its picturesque swooping branches and distinctive green and silver two-toned needles. It has a tidy pyramidal habit and will make a first-class addition to your landscape, whether as a single specimen or within a grouping. Birds will appreciate the shelter it provides. And it’s low maintenance—all that will be left for you to do is to decorate it with lights at Christmas-time!
Serbian Spruce was first described in 1875 by Josif Pančić, a Croatian-born doctor and botanist who made many trips to the Serbian mountain where this tree is found in the wild. This area—Tara Mountain—is very small, but contains an astonishing variety of plants and animals. Because of its geography, this region was somewhat protected from the extremes of the last Ice Age, and isolated species were able to survive there, while populations elsewhere were wiped out. “Pančić’s Grasshopper” was one such species, and Serbian Spruce was another.
Native of the Drina River Valley in Serbia, this spruce offers a slightly narrow, upright grow habit that distinguished this exceptional evergreen. Not used nearly enough in the landscape! Deep green needles have a contrasting silvery-white band on the undersides. A great choice for a screen/windbreak or a stately accent.
Despite being native to only one small, special habitat in the world, Serbian Spruce is an adaptable tree. It grows in a variety of soil types and has even been grown successfully in cities alongside trees that are more traditionally called upon to survive in stressful urban situations, like Pin Oak, Ginkgo, and Red Maple. However, if you do have a sunny site with rich, crumbly soil, this regal-looking tree deserves it! Serbian Spruce never needs pruning and rarely has any pest or disease issues. It is a slow- to medium-grower.
3-4' tall. Well sheared with a single leader. Pruned for fullness and healthy dark green foliage. Grown in our #7 or #10 size tree container.