Picea smithiana

A native of the Himalayas, Picea smithiana has distinctive elegant, hanging branches with a gracefully weeping tip which in its natural habitat helps to shed snow in the cold winters. The needles are bright green and the longest of any spruce, reaching up to five centimeters in length.

Established plants have eye-catching long, narrow brown cones. An unusual, stately tree with a magnificent habit for large gardens!

• Position: Full sun or light, dappled shade.
• Soil: Moist, fertile soil.
• Hardiness: Hardy. Although fully hardy once established, Picea smithiana can be vulnerable to late spring frost as a young plant and planting in known frost pockets should be avoided.
• Rate of Growth: Slow.
• Habit: Eventually a large conical tree.
  • Height: 20 m (65 ft)
  • Spread: 15 m (50 ft).

• Notes: Picea smithiana is slow growing and will take many years to reach the above height.