An excellent compact growing dwarf conifer. This plant is very useful in the perennial gardens. It can add some features for the winter garden.
Pronunciation
(PY-see-uh)(A-bees)
Plant Type
All Plants, Shrubs Coniferous, Dwarf Conifers
Sunlight
prefers full sun, have seen growing in part shade
Moisture
average
Soil & Site
average
Fruit
woody cones
Leaves
evergreen needles
Dimensions
This plant is not as small we expect it to be. I have seen plants 3 plus feet tall by over 8 foot spread. Hiller lists the plant at around 2-3 feet tall by 5-6 feet in 30 years.
Maintenance
Removal of the occasional branch that is trying to revert back to the species plant.
Cultivar Origin
German origin
Misc Facts
Mature plants have a depression or “nest” in the center of the flattened top, hence the common name of bird’s-nest spruce.
Author's Notes
As of 2013 the two Birds nest Spruce in my yards are 2.5 tall feet with a spread of 8 plus feet. They were rescued from a landscape job in 2003 (data entry 2018)
Notes & Reference
#01-Manual of Woody Landscape Plants (Michael Dirr), #03-The Hillier Manual of Trees and Shrubs)