Picea glauca Echiniformis Echt - White Spruce

Picea glauca 'Echiniformis Echt' is a dwarf variety of white spruce with a name that can be translated as ' truly Hedgehog-shaped'. It is a rare plant, difficult to find. It appears as a small thorny ball in its young age, then spreads somewhat over the years, to eventually form a dome shape slightly wider than it is tall. Its short and ramified branches are covered with young silver-green shoots, which turn green-blue over the seasons. Its very slow growth and small size make it suitable for rockeries, as well as flower beds or pots. It thrives in sunny or semi-shaded areas, in well-drained, neutral to acidic, and rather fertile soil.

Picea glauca, also known as White Spruce, White Spruce or Glaucous Spruce, is an evergreen conifer belonging to the Pinaceae family. It is native to Canada. In its natural environment, it grows slowly, has a fairly variable habit depending on its habitat, but usually conical or pyramidal with a broad base. This tree can reach a height of 25 metres (82 feet). This species, traditionally used for paper making, can live for many years (200 years or more).

The 'Echiniformis Echt' variety, derived from this species, is a very similar dwarf form to the 'Echiniformis' variety. It distinguishes itself by its bluer foliage. This very ornamental small conifer has a compact habit, initially globular, then dome-shaped. Its growth is slow, growing about 3cm (1in) per year, more or less depending on the soil and climate. Eventually, it will reach a height of 80cm (32in) with a diameter of 1.20m (4ft). It produces short and highly ramified branches, covered with fine quadrangular spines arranged in brushes, very short, very sharp, and aromatic (acrid resin scent). Its spring shoots are a very light grey-green colour, which harmonizes well with its older foliage, a very blue-green colour, quite dark, with white reflections. The root system of white spruces is shallow, highly ramified, and trailing, making them difficult to transplant when they are mature, and particularly sensitive to wind.

The 'Echiniformis Echt' white spruce, with its characteristic shaggy appearance, its very reduced development, low maintenance, and ease of cultivation, is a perfect plant for rockeries and terraces. It thrives in many situations and adapts to various climates, as long as the soil is well-drained and not too chalky. A grey or mauve mulch installed at its base will enhance its delicate colour. This small globular plant goes well with large stones, geometric lines, and masonry works. It can be associated with dwarf conifers with a prostrate (Juniperus horizontalis 'Blue Chip'), columnar, or pyramidal habit. The true graphic qualities of conifers naturally impose themselves in the design of a contemporary garden, which prefers the aesthetics of shapes, silhouettes, and textures over the dance of flowers. These plants with their reassuring permanence permanently structure a flower bed, mark pathways, border the terrace, easily replacing the strong presence of trimmed boxwood or holly. They go well with heathers or ground cover plants like aubrieta, ceraistes, shrubby salvias, as well as flowering shrubs. The key is to play with volumes and colours.