Picea glauca Cecilia - White Spruce

Picea glauca 'Cecilia' is a dwarf variety of white spruce forming a delightful bush with a globose habit, distinctly flattened at the top. Its dense foliage gives the illusion of down. Associated with a compact, rounded habit, this apparent softness gives it an appealing and curious aspect. Its silver shoots appear in spring, on green-blue foliage. It can be planted in rockeries, flower beds, or pots. This slow-growing conifer appreciates the sun and adapts to any well-drained, not too dry soil.

Picea glauca, also known as white spruce or glaucous spruce, is an evergreen conifer belonging to the Pinaceae family. It is native to Canada. It grows slowly in its natural environment. It has a quite variable habit depending on its habitat, but is usually conical or pyramidal with a broad base. This tree can reach a height of 25m (82ft). This species, traditionally used for paper production, can live for many years (200 years or more).

The 'Cecilia' variety, derived from this species, is a dwarf and highly ornamental form, with a compact, globose, flattened habit at the top. Its growth is slow, growing 11cm (4in) per year, depending on the soil and climate. Ultimately, it will reach 60cm (24in) in all directions. It produces short and tight branches, covered with quadrangular spines arranged in brushes, which are very short, very sharp and aromatic (an acrid resinous smell). Its spring shoots are a light silver-green, which harmonises well with its older foliage, which is glaucous green with bluish reflections. The root system of white spruces is shallow, highly branched and creeping, making them difficult to transplant when mature and particularly sensitive to wind.

With its naturally rounded habit, reduced development, undemanding nature, and ease of cultivation, 'Cecilia' is perfect for rockeries and terraces. It thrives in many situations and adapts to various climates, as long as the soil is well-drained and not too chalky. A grey or mauve mulch installed at its base will enhance its delicate colour. This small globose plant goes well with large stones, geometric lines, and masonry works. It can be planted in groups of 3 or 5 plants, and paired with dwarf conifers with a columnar, upright, or prostrate habit (for example, Juniperus horizontalis 'Blue Chip'). The architectural qualities of dwarf conifers naturally impose themselves in the design of a contemporary garden, which prefers the aesthetics of shapes, silhouettes, and textures over the fleeting beauty of flowers. With their reassuring permanence, these plants durably structure a bed. They can mark pathways, and border terraces, easily replacing the strong presence of trimmed boxwood or holly. They go well with heathers or ground cover plants such as aubrietas, cerastium, shrubby salvias, and flowering shrubs. The key is to play with volumes and colours.