Dwarf Alberta Spruce

One of the perfect shaped coniferous trees is the dwarf Alberta spruce. It is an evergreen tree and as it does not grow too big in size. It is considered as an evergreen shrub by many people. The dwarf Alberta spruce has a pyramidal shape with soft needles. These needles are short and fine. The dwarf Alberta is a hardy tree to be grown in cold zones. You do not need to take extra precaution to protect it from hot or cold winds. The scientific name for dwarf Alberta spruce is Picea glauca var. albertiana 'Conica'. Let us go into the details of dwarf Alberta spruce care.

Dwarf Alberta Spruce Care
There are about 30 species of the white spruce tree and is popularly found in the North American, Canada and Alaskan gardens. Of the 30 species of spruce trees, the dwarf Alberta spruce is the most popular. This is a small spruce tree variety that is favorite ornamental plant. It gains immense popularity as a Christmas tree for many families.

The dwarf Alberta spruce can be grown in zone 2 to 7. This means the tree can tolerate temperature as low as -40º F. The dwarf Alberta spruce size is about 12". This is because it is a slow-growing tree and will grow only about 2 to 4 inches in height annually. The densely packed, tight needles make them get the 'fuzzy' look.

The amount of dwarf Alberta spruce care required is minimum and rarely requires pruning. These trees grow well in well-drained soil, under full sun and in acidic soil. They cannot tolerate drought and therefore require regular watering. You should water them regularly during the growth season. This will help the plant develop a deep and extensive root system. Once the plant is established, reduce the watering. You need to feed the plant with a general purpose fertilizer in spring. Prune the plants in winter.

Many people prefer growing dwarf Alberta spruce for container gardening. This is because the tree is a slow grower and is a good specimen for indoor gardening. You can grow them in containers and transplant the plants to garden soil in spring. The best place to plant these trees is in an area that receives the full sun. If you are growing the plants indoors, then place the container near a window or door. Do not place the trees near furnaces or radiators.

Dwarf Alberta Spruce Diseases
The dwarf Alberta spruce tree is not prone to many diseases. These hardy trees fall prey to aphids in late fall. If you find the dwarf Alberta spruce turning brown, it means the plant is infected with aphids. You need to spray insecticide over your dwarf Alberta spruce tree to get rid of the aphids as soon as possible, or else the bugs will cause a lot of damage and even lead to tree death.

Apart from aphids, dwarf Alberta spruce also falls prey to spider mites. These are tiny 8 legged insects that cause severe infestation of the trees. Dwarf Alberta spruce turning brown or suffering from premature leave drop may indicate spruce spider mite infestation. These spruce spider mites appear as whitish webbings around the twigs. You need to immediately remove the diseased branches and spray an insecticide over the dwarf Alberta spruce.

Dwarf Alberta Spruce Uses
There are plenty of landscaping ideas related to the dwarf Alberta spruce tree. They are planted indoors as well as outdoors. Many American homes plant the dwarf Alberta spruce near the entrance of their gardens. As they are stout they create an interesting design when grown in pairs near a walkway or doorway. You can even choose to grow these trees along a low fence in a row.

This was some information related to dwarf Alberta spruce. These plants are a favorite among holiday makers as they create beautiful Christmas trees. You too can enjoy planting the dwarf Alberta spruce in your garden and increase the aesthetic beauty of the surroundings.