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Norway spruce Nidiformis: description, planting and care
Spruce “Nidiformis” is an evergreen shrub with a cushion-shaped crown. It cannot be called a tree, since the height of an adult plant does not exceed 1 m.
Description of “Nidiformis” spruce
The crown of the shrub is flattened in the form of a nest, with a small depression in the center. The main shoots grow to the sides. The crown is dense, up to 3 m in diameter, and the height of the spruce – up to 1 m. The branches grow fan-shaped, but very slowly. Annual growth is 3 to 4 cm in height and 5 to 8 cm in spread.
The most dangerous for seedlings ate “Nidiformis” the first two to three years of life
The needles are short, soft to the touch, dark green in color. Habitat requirements:
- prefers sunny location, but can grow in the shade;
- loves fertile, loose soils, especially sandy-humus and clayey lands;
- acidity is not important, it grows well in acidic and alkaline soil;
- Does not tolerate stagnant water and waterlogging of the soil, does not like dryness and salinity of the earth.
This coniferous bush is hardy.
Planting and caring for the “Nidiformis” spruce
Despite the fact that this is a dwarf species, choose a spacious area for planting a seedling, you need at least 3 m of free space.
Suitable place away from groundwater. Waterlogging of the soil will lead to root rot. Heavy soil is not suitable as the roots are in the upper layers of the soil.
Landing:
- Dig a hole 80-100 cm deep and one and a half times the size of a clod of earth. Make drainage, at the bottom of the planting pit, pour a layer of rubble 10-20 cm thick.Fill with sand on top.
- Fill the hole with soil, which consists of leaf humus, peat and soil in a 2: 1: 2 ratio. If it is not possible to prepare the soil mixture, then add 10 g of ammophoska to the hole.
- Plant the seedling so that the root collar is level with the ground. Cover with earth.
- Pour 30-40 liters of water into the trunk circle.
The first week after planting the seedling can be fed with Epin solution. Mulch the trunk circle with humus so that moisture does not evaporate. Norway spruce “Nidiformis” does not need pruning. From February to April, shade the shrub with foil so that there are no burns on the needles. In hot summer, pour 10-15 liters of water every week, apply fertilizer for conifers 2 times per season.
Cover young seedlings for the winter with spruce branches, adult shrubs do not need shelter. You can mulch the trunk circle with peat with a layer of 5-6 cm.
This spruce looks good along paths with low curbs. It looks spectacular in single plantings on the lawn or in the rock garden.