Picea omorika Alexandra - Serbian spruce

Picea omorika 'Alexandra' is a dwarf variety of Serbian Spruce. It has a very slow growth, forming a small, dense and regular bush with a conical habit. Its thin, yellow branches are horizontal to slightly pendulous and bear short, green-grey needles. The new shoots have a bluish tint. Plant it in a small garden, a large rockery or a flower bed. Its charming appearance, resembling a simplified Christmas tree, is very dense. It is very hardy and not demanding in cool climates, preferring well-drained soils that are not too dry and a sunny exposure.

Picea omorika, also known as Serbian Spruce, is a plant of the pinaceae family, native to Bosnia and Serbia. It is a rare species endemic to the Drina Valley (in western and eastern Serbia), although it can also be found in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In its natural environment, which is often harsh, this tree can reach a height of over 30 m and has a narrow pyramidal shape and pendulous branches. This conifer is very tolerant of soil conditions and resistant to pollution.

The 'Alexandra' variety is a small conifer with a compact and conical habit, forming a triangular or pyramidal bush after many years. It has a slow growth and reaches a height of 1 m to 1.20 m in 10 years. It produces thin and flexible branches covered with short needles, measuring 10 to 20 mm in length. The grey-green needles are flat, soft to the touch, arranged in dense and aromatic brushes, emitting a resinous smell. 

The dwarf Serbian Spruce 'Alexandra', which is relatively easy to grow, adapts to many climates, as long as the soil is well-drained. It has an endearing silhouette and a solid and structuring presence. Its compact size allows it to be planted in gardens of all sizes. In smaller gardens, it can serve as a tree, just like in a small flower bed or rockery scene. Pair it with other dwarf conifers with different foliage colours, such as steel blue or yellow-green, developing other shapes, such as trailing, globose, or columnar. Evergreen conifers have interesting architectural qualities for all gardens, especially contemporary gardens that are more radical in their choice of shape and foliage. Play with volumes and colours by combining them with flowering shrubs and ground cover plants.