Serbian spruce «Karel»

Serbian spruce «Karel» (Picea omorika 'Karel') – a cultivar of Serbian spruce. Discovered by Mr. Karel Buntinx in Belgium in 1991 among seedlings of Serbian spruce. Most likely originated from an open cross with black spruce or some hybrid form of it.

It is a compact dwarf tree 50-60 cm in height and 1-1.2 m in diameter. The crown is lush, cushion- to globose-shaped, with a small nest-like depression in the center. Grows slowly, up to 5 cm per year in height and up to 7 cm per year in width. There are few scaffold branches, but they branch heavily. Branches grow from the central trunk at various angles. Upper shoots are directed upward, lower ones grow horizontally or downward.

Needles short, flat, glossy, dense, slightly sickle-shaped, 1.2-1.5 cm long, dark green with a slight glaucous tint, ash-green beneath.

Hardiness zone: 4a (-29°C).

Site: Resistant to smoke and gas. Sun-loving, but grows well in partial shade.

Soil: The top layer of soil should be well-drained and permeable so that roots receive the necessary air supply. Preferably loamy soil, but can also grow on sandy loam with sufficient moisture. Poorly tolerant of drought.

Planting: The optimal time for planting is late April – late June. Soil mix: turf (sod), leaf mould, sand, peat in the ratio 2:2:1:1.

Care: responsive to fertilization. The area 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 misting of the crown. Manure or compost feeding can also be applied in early summer. When grown in polluted areas, it is recommended to wash the spruce at least once a month.

Diseases: Schütte, snow Schütte, fusariosis, stem and root rot, bark necrosis, ulcerative (canker) disease, cone rust, spruce vertun.

Pests: red spider mite, spruce sawfly.

Propagation: propagated by grafting.

Uses: used to decorate alpine rockeries, rock, heather and Japanese gardens, retaining walls, forest edges, slopes. Looks good in small gardens. Suitable for container cultivation.