Also known as Spruce · 622 gardener saves
Picea: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Picea, the genus most gardeners know as spruce. We track 11 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 11 most-saved Picea varieties
Of 11 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedDwarf Alberta Spruce
Picea glauca 'Conica'
#2 most savedKoster Blue Spruce
Picea pungens 'Koster'
#3 most savedHedgehog Dwarf White Spruce
Picea glauca 'Echiniformis'
Globe Blue Spruce
Picea pungens 'Globosa'
White Spruce
Picea glauca
Colorado Spruce
Picea pungens
Norway Spruce
Picea abies
Oriental Spruce
Picea orientalis
Serbian Spruce
Picea omorika
Gowdy Oriental Spruce
Picea orientalis 'Gowdy'
Yellow Spiked Oriental Spruce
Picea orientalis 'Yellow Spiked'
How to grow Picea
What the Picea varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 11 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Picea year
- Check for PestsMay–July100% of varieties
Inspect for spruce spider mites and needle cast disease.
- PlantFebruary, March, September and October82% of varieties
Plant container or balled-and-burlapped stock during dormant season.
- MulchMarch and October73% of varieties
Refresh mulch layer, keeping it clear of the trunk base.
- PruneJanuary and February45% of varieties
Prune only to remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches in late winter.
- FertilizeMarch45% of varieties
Fertilize only if growth is weak, using a balanced slow-release formula.
Do
- Water deeply during dry spells 🌱
- Water regularly during dry spells 🌱
- Mulch to conserve moisture and suppress weeds
- Prune to shape in early spring
- Mulch to retain soil moisture
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Don’t prune in late summer or fall
- Avoid overwatering which can cause root rot ❌
- Don’t prune in late fall or winter
What goes wrong with Picea
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue or curled needles | Use insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Spider Mites | Fine webbing and yellowing needles | Apply horticultural oil or miticides |
| Spruce Spider Mite | Fine webbing, stippled or yellowing needles that may drop prematurely | Spray with a strong jet of water. Use horticultural oil or miticide in severe cases. |
| Bagworms | Spindle-shaped bags made of silk and needles hanging from branches | Hand-pick and destroy bags in winter. Apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) when caterpillars are small. |
| Cytospora Canker | Dying branches, usually starting from the bottom of the tree, with white resin patches | Prune out and destroy infected branches in dry weather. Avoid wounding the tree. |
| Root Rot | Wilting, stunted growth, soggy soil | Ensure well-drained soil and reduce watering |
| Needle Blight | Brown or yellow needles, needle drop | Improve air circulation and remove affected needles, fungicide if necessary |
Making more Picea
Seed
- Collect seeds from mature cones in fall
- Stratify seeds in moist sand for 4-6 weeks at 4°C
- Sow seeds in well-draining soil in spring
- Keep soil moist and provide full sun
- Seedlings typically emerge in 2-3 weeks
Cuttings
- Take semi-hardwood cuttings in late summer
- Dip cut ends in rooting hormone
- Plant in a moist, well-draining medium
- Maintain high humidity with a plastic cover
- Roots develop in approximately 6 weeks
Picea questions
How many types of Picea are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 11 distinct Picea varieties. The most popular — ranked by 622 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Picea grow in?
Across its varieties, Picea covers USDA Zones 4–7. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Picea bloom?
Most Picea varieties bloom in early spring, mid-spring, late spring. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Picea should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
More on Picea
Picea shows up in
By hardiness zone
Design with Picea in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
