Serbian Spruce 'Peve Tijn'

Serbian Spruce 'Peve Tijn' (Picea omorika 'Peve Tijn') is golden lace on a standard. The needles combine yellow and green, with blue undersides, so the crown plays in three colours at once and glows in the sun. When young it grows as a neat ball.

Give it a spot in plain view: in a rock garden, in a conifer collection, in a container by the door. In ten years the crown reaches about 0.6 m, adding only a few centimetres a season, so it keeps its shape on its own. Best colour comes in full sun.

Key characteristics:

• What makes it special: The golden needles hold less chlorophyll, so 'Peve Tijn' grows more slowly than the green 'Nana' - which is exactly why it stays so miniature.
• Dimensions: At ten years it is a neat crown 0.6 m tall and 0.6 m wide.
• Hardiness: Hardy down to -34 °C (USDA zone 4).
• Light: Full sun brings out the best golden colour, and once established the foliage scarcely burns.
• Soil: It likes moist but well-drained soil and calmly accepts alkaline ground as well; loam, clay and sand all suit it.
• Watering: Watering is medium and the soil is kept evenly moist and well drained - the one thing it dislikes is standing water.
• Care: No pruning is needed; shelter it from cold drying winds and keep an eye out for adelgids and spider mite.
• Landscape use: For the rock garden and for a conifer collection.
• Origin: A golden sport on Picea omorika 'Nana', found by Piet Vergeldt (Pevé = P.V.) at his nursery in Lottum, the Netherlands.