Picea glauca Pendula - White spruce pendula

Picea glauca 'Pendula', also known as Picea laxa 'Pendula', is a variety of White Spruce that is very narrow, conical to pyramidal in shape, with a strong central leader and very pendulous branches that gracefully cascade down and hug the trunk. Its long branches are covered with beautiful blue-green needles. It produces narrow cones. This evergreen conifer prefers a sunny location or possibly light shade. The soil should be moist, well-drained, and slightly acidic.

Picea glauca, also known as White Spruce, Canadian Spruce, or Blue Spruce, is an evergreen conifer belonging to the Pinaceae family. It is native to Canada. In its natural environment, it grows slowly, with a habit that can vary depending on its habitat, but usually conical or pyramidal with a broad base. This tree can reach a height of 25 m. This species is traditionally used in paper production. It can live for many years (200 or more).

The 'Pendula' variety, derived from this species, has a narrow, conical, upright habit with drooping branches. It grows quite rapidly, at a rate of 30 cm per year, reaching a mature height between 6 and 12 m with a width of 1.5 to 2.5 m, depending on growing conditions. It produces long, drooping branches densely covered with short, quadrangular needles arranged in brushes, very sharp and aromatic (with a pungent resin smell). They are covered with white wax. The foliage has a somewhat dull hue, uniformly medium green-grey, which can vary among plants. In winter, the needles take on a more bluish tint in cold weather. The root system of White Spruces is shallow, highly branched, and running, making them difficult to transplant when mature and particularly sensitive to wind. However, a container-grown plant will quickly adapt to being planted in the ground.

The 'Pendula' White Spruce, with its particularly narrow habit, is also an easy-care plant, perfect for standalone planting and as an accent in the landscape. It thrives in various conditions, in many climates, as long as the soil is well-drained, deep, and not too calcareous. This plant complements rocks in the garden. It can be paired with other conifers with colourful foliage and different shapes to create contrasts, such as dwarf conifers with a prostrate, round shape like Juniperus horizontalis 'Blue Chip', or Picea abies 'Little Gem'. The visual qualities of conifers naturally enhance a contemporary garden, focusing on shapes, silhouettes, and textures rather than blooms. These plants, with their reassuring permanence, can structure a bed, mark pathways, or accentuate a terrace corner. It's all about playing with volumes and colours!