Norway Spruce 'Karel'

Serbian Spruce (Picea omorika) 'Karel' is a tidy green cushion. The needles are short, glossy and dark green with a silvery underside, so the crown looks dense and finely textured at any time of year.

It is the perfect scale for a rock garden, a stony bank, a container or a small courtyard: in 10-20 years it makes only 0.5-1 m in height and as much across. Unlike conical spruces it holds its shape unaided, and it takes frost down to -34 °C (USDA zone 4).

Key characteristics:

• What makes it special: In spring the young growth is paler and contrasts sharply with last year's dark needles, so the cushion looks two-toned each spring.
• Dimensions: In 10-20 years it reaches 0.5-1 m in height and 0.5-1 m across.
• Hardiness: Hardy to -34 °C (USDA zone 4).
• Light: Best in full sun; the species takes partial shade too, but the cushion is at its densest in the open.
• Soil: Takes clay, loam, sand and chalky soils of any pH with ease - all it asks is good drainage.
• Watering: Water moderately: the soil should stay moist, and the one thing the plant dislikes is water standing at the root collar.
• Care: It holds its shape on its own and needs no pruning; watch for adelgids, conifer aphids and spider mite, and honey fungus is possible.
• Landscape use: Looks lovely in rock gardens, containers and borders, and in small city and courtyard gardens.