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Picea asperata

dragon spruce

P. asperata is a conical or columnar coniferous tree to 25m. The needle-like leaves are dark green or blue-green about 2cm long, stiff and upward pointing. The green then light brown, cylindrical, female cones can be up to 15cm long

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Size
Ultimate height
Higher than 12 metres
Time to ultimate height
20–50 years
Ultimate spread
4–8 metres
Growing conditions
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Blue Green
Summer Blue Green Green
Autumn Blue Green Brown
Winter Blue Green
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or North–facing or West–facing or East–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H7
Botanical details
Family
Pinaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Columnar upright
Genus

Picea are evergreen trees with rigid, needle-like leaves arranged singly all round the shoots, and narrow, leathery-scaled cones borne near the ends of the shoots

Name status

Correct

Plant range
W China

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in moist but well-drained soil. Will tolerate alkaline soils. Shelter from cold, drying winds. See conifer cultivation for more advice

Propagation

Propagate by seed or semi-hardwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Architectural
  • Low Maintenance
Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to adelgids, red spider mite and conifer aphid

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus

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