Picea omorika Morava - Serbian Spruce

Picea omorika 'Morava' is a dwarf conifer, with very slow growth, and is one of the most beautiful Serbian spruces. It forms a lovely compact and very bright dome, as its short needles play with the light, displaying a silver reverse that contrasts with its dark green upper side. Its short, very dense branches resemble small brushes. Its round and silvery silhouette is interesting in small gardens, large rockeries, and pots on the terrace. It is a very hardy, undemanding small conifer which does not require pruning. It is content with well-drained soil, not too dry, not too chalky, and a sunny exposure.

Picea omorika, also known as the 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). In its harsh natural environment, this tree exceeds 30 m (98 ft 5 in) in height with a narrow pyramidal shape and pendulous branches. This conifer is very tolerant in terms of soil type and also tolerates pollution very well.

'Morava' is a dwarf variety, with a very compact habit, which forms a very regular dome or globe after many years, slightly wider than it is tall. Its growth is very slow, about 4 to 5 cm (1.6 to 2 in) per year. A 20-year-old specimen will reach 40 cm (15.7 in) in height and 80 cm (31.5 in) in diameter. At maturity, it will reach about 80 cm (31.5 in) in height and 1 m (3 ft 4 in) in width, depending on the growing conditions. It produces rigid, thin and short branches, arranged in a bushy and very dense tuft. They are covered with flattened, aromatic needles, arranged in dense brushes. They are dark green on the upper side and have 2 white and shiny bands on the underside, giving the foliage a silvery sheen.

The dwarf Serbian spruce 'Morava' deserves to be discovered and planted more in gardens. With its easy cultivation, its personality, and its very reduced development, it is a perfect plant for small gardens, rockeries, and terraces. It thrives in many situations, tolerates temporary drought, and adapts to various climates, as long as the soil is well-drained. This plant goes well with large stones, geometric lines, and masonry. The architectural qualities of conifers naturally impose themselves in the design of a contemporary garden, which prefers the aesthetics of shapes, silhouettes, and textures over flowers. These plants durably structure a flower bed, mark pathways and border the terrace, easily replacing the strong presence of trimmed boxwood or holly. They go well with dense perennials, such as heathers, perennial geraniums, or shrubby salvias, as well as ground-cover plants such as aubrietas and ceraistes, and light-flowered shrubs such as gauras. The key is to play with volumes and colours.