Plant Encyclopedia

Other Names:  Weeping Spruce

Description:

An impressive selection with pendulous branches reaching down from a strong central leader; powder blue foliage; a great tree for adding vertical interest to the landscape skyline

Ornamental Features

Bush's Lace Engelmann Spruce is a dwarf conifer which is primarily valued in the landscape or garden for its highly ornamental weeping form. It has powder blue evergreen foliage. The needles remain powder blue throughout the winter. The rough gray bark adds an interesting dimension to the landscape.

Landscape Attributes

Bush's Lace Engelmann Spruce is a dense multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with a rounded form and gracefully weeping branches. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other landscape plants with less refined foliage.

This is a relatively low maintenance shrub. When pruning is necessary, it is recommended to only trim back the new growth of the current season, other than to remove any dieback. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Bush's Lace Engelmann Spruce is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Vertical Accent

Planting & Growing

Bush's Lace Engelmann Spruce will grow to be about 12 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 8 feet. It has a low canopy, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 70 years or more.

This shrub should only be grown in full sunlight. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist growing conditions, but will not tolerate any standing water. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution, and will benefit from being planted in a relatively sheltered location. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America.