Canadian spruce 'Alberta Globe'

Synonyms: Glauca spruce 'Alberta Globe', Blue spruce 'Alberta Globe', White spruce 'Alberta Globe', Picea glauca 'Alberta Globe', Dwarf Alberta spruce

Canadian spruce 'Alberta Globe' – a natural mutation of the Canadian spruce. The cultivar was found by gardener C. Streng in Boskoop (The Netherlands).

It is an evergreen shrub 0.7-1 m in height and 1 m in diameter. The crown is dense and globular. Young shoots are short, thin, light brown, densely arranged in a radial pattern. The form is slow-growing. Annual increase is 10 cm in height and 2-4 cm in width. At 10 years it reaches 0.4 m in diameter.

Needles acicular, radially arranged, thin (thinner than those of the Canadian spruce 'Conica'), soft, 6-9 mm long, very decorative, fragrant, slightly prickly. When emerging the needles are yellowish-green, later becoming bright green.

Cones small, located at the ends of shoots, light brown in color. They appear rarely.

Hardiness zone: 3a.

Location: Prefers light, but tolerates light partial shade. Likes moist, fertile soil, light or medium loam. The top layer of soil should be well permeable so that the roots receive the necessary amount of aeration. Poorly tolerant of waterlogging and soil compaction. Not very demanding regarding moisture.

Planting: when planted too closely it loses its decorative appearance, as part of the crown may dry out. Soil mix: turf soil, leaf soil, sand, peat in the ratio 2:2:1:1.

Care: the planting circle around the trunk is recommended to be periodically weeded and loosened, but not dug over. It is also advisable to mulch the trunk circle with peat or loose compost with subsequent incorporation. During dry periods regular watering is recommended, avoiding complete drying of the root-inhabited soil layer, as well as evening overhead watering of the crown. Manuring with manure or compost in early summer can also be applied.

Pruning: Has a beautiful even and symmetrical crown, so does not require pruning. Occasionally longer shoots may appear – these should be removed. Sanitary pruning is also practiced.

Diseases: Schütte, snow Schütte, fusarium, stem and root rot, bark necrosis, canker (wound canker), cone rust, spruce vertun. Suffers less from spring burn than other cultivars of Canadian spruce.

Pests: red spider mite, spruce sawfly.

Propagation: propagated by cuttings, which is best done in early June. Winter cuttings without rooting hormone do not take. For cuttings, take matured lower branches from the mother plant that do not exceed 10-12 cm in length. The cutting separated from the mother plant must have a «heel», otherwise the plant will quickly perish. The lower part of the prepared cuttings should be treated with growth stimulants. Plant cuttings to a depth of 2-2.5 cm. The substrate should not dry out during rooting, but overwatering is not recommended.

Uses: ideally complements compositions in an oriental style, heather and rock gardens, and is also suitable for container cultivation. Combines well with ornamental shrubs and perennials.