Picea omorika Treblitsch - Serbian Spruce

Picea omorika 'Treblitsch' is a dwarf variety of the Serbian Spruce. It has a very slow growth and initially has a globular habit, then it takes on the shape of a rounded and wide cone, sometimes slightly irregular, very compact. Its short and dense branches resemble small upright brushes, with a beautiful green-blue to dark green colour, and a silvery underside. Its well-rounded silhouette, adorned with metallic-coloured foliage, fits well in small gardens, adds life to large rockeries, and looks marvelous in pots on the terrace. It is a vigorous and hardy small conifer that is not demanding and does not require pruning. It thrives in well-drained soil that is not too dry, and in sunny locations.

Picea omorika, also called Serbian Spruce, is a plant belonging to the Pinaceae family and is 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 over 30m (98ft) in height and has a narrow pyramidal habit with pendulous branches. This conifer is very tolerant of soil conditions and can withstand pollution very well.

The 'Treblitsch' variety is distinguished by its stout, compact, and unusual habit. After many years, this shrub forms a very wide cone with a rounded top, slightly taller than it is wide. Its growth rate is very slow, around 2 to 4cm (1 to 2in) per year. A 10-year-old specimen will not exceed 40cm (16in) in all directions. At maturity, it will reach 80cm (32in) in all directions, depending on the growing conditions. It produces thin and short branches that are densely packed. They are covered with flattened and shiny needles, arranged radially around the branches, and have an aromatic resin smell. The needles are dark blue-green on the top and have two bright white bands on the underside, giving the foliage a blue-metallic hue on the young shoots.

The dwarf Serbian Spruce 'Treblitsch' deserves to be better known and planted in gardens throughout France. With its easy cultivation, distinctive personality, and reduced size, it is a perfect plant for small gardens, rockeries, and terraces. It thrives in many situations, tolerates urban pollution, and adapts to various climates as long as the soil is well-drained. This plant pairs well with large stones, geometric lines, and masonry structures. It can be combined with low-growing conifers with a prostrate (Juniperus horizontalis 'Blue Chip'), columnar, or pyramidal habit. The graphic qualities of conifers naturally stand out in the design of a contemporary garden, which favors the aesthetics of shapes, silhouettes, and textures over the dance of flowers. These plants, with their reassuring permanence, provide lasting structure to a bed, mark pathways, and border the terrace, easily substituting for the strong presence of trimmed boxwood or holly. They also pair well with heathers, shrubby salvias, or ground-covering plants such as aubrietas and Cerastiums, as well as with light-flowering shrubs like Gauras. The key is to play with volumes and colours.