Bird's Nest Spruce
The bird's nest spruce (Picea abies 'Nidiformis') is a small, slow-growing, evergreen shrub with a distinctive depression in the middle. The depression resembles a bird's nest, which is how the plant got its name.
Appearance
A dense, broad, shrubby, flattened globe
Light green or gray green needles
Horizontal to slightly ascending branches
Size
Typically grows to 1 to 2 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide during the first 10 years
Older plants can double this height and more than triple this width after 30 years
Uses
Containers, lawns, patios, walkways, meadows, or naturalized areas
Foundation shrub in a landscape planting
Rock gardens
Low-growing foundation shrub
Evergreen border, accent or container plant
Groundcover, or edging plant along a garden border
Growing conditions
Grow in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun
Water when top 2 inches of soil is dry
Very hardy and wind resistant
Maintenance
Its tight, compact shape requires little maintenance
Pinch back new shoots in spring to keep the tree compact
The bird's nest spruce (Picea abies 'Nidiformis') is a small, slow-growing, evergreen shrub with a distinctive depression in the middle. The depression resembles a bird's nest, which is how the plant got its name.
Appearance
A dense, broad, shrubby, flattened globe
Light green or gray green needles
Horizontal to slightly ascending branches
Size
Typically grows to 1 to 2 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide during the first 10 years
Older plants can double this height and more than triple this width after 30 years
Uses
Containers, lawns, patios, walkways, meadows, or naturalized areas
Foundation shrub in a landscape planting
Rock gardens
Low-growing foundation shrub
Evergreen border, accent or container plant
Groundcover, or edging plant along a garden border
Growing conditions
Grow in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun
Water when top 2 inches of soil is dry
Very hardy and wind resistant
Maintenance
Its tight, compact shape requires little maintenance
Pinch back new shoots in spring to keep the tree compact
The bird's nest spruce (Picea abies 'Nidiformis') is a small, slow-growing, evergreen shrub with a distinctive depression in the middle. The depression resembles a bird's nest, which is how the plant got its name.
Appearance
A dense, broad, shrubby, flattened globe
Light green or gray green needles
Horizontal to slightly ascending branches
Size
Typically grows to 1 to 2 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide during the first 10 years
Older plants can double this height and more than triple this width after 30 years
Uses
Containers, lawns, patios, walkways, meadows, or naturalized areas
Foundation shrub in a landscape planting
Rock gardens
Low-growing foundation shrub
Evergreen border, accent or container plant
Groundcover, or edging plant along a garden border
Growing conditions
Grow in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun
Water when top 2 inches of soil is dry
Very hardy and wind resistant
Maintenance
Its tight, compact shape requires little maintenance
Pinch back new shoots in spring to keep the tree compact