Picea glauca ‘Pendula’ White Spruce

Weeping White Spruce is an extremely narrow, spire-like tree with weeping branches that cascade down to the ground in waves close to the trunk. Picea glauca is native to the northern forests of the United States, Canada, and Alaska, but the ‘Pendula’ cultivar was discovered in 1867 as a mutation of the species in Trianon Park, Versailles, France. It was introduced to the U.S. in 1920 but, over the years, was almost lost as a cultivar. It was rediscovered in 1982 and has become a rare and sought-after variety in the nursery trade.
The most striking attribute of this tree is its extremely narrow, weeping form with branches that cascade down in layers, forming a skirt at the base. Short, sharp needles grow densely on the branches and are aromatic when crushed. They start out as a beautiful blue-green color and develop a white, waxy bloom as they age, hence the name White Spruce. Small 1″ -2″ long, cylindrical cones hang down from the yellow-brown branches. ‘Pendula’ grows quickly, 6″ to 12″ per year, and in 10 years, it can become 8’-10’ × 2’-3′. It is moderately deer-resistant and provides cover for birds but is not tolerant of pollution or salt spray, so it is not appropriate for an urban garden.
‘Pendula’ is a tree that is not only beautiful but also easy to care for. It will thrive in a spot with full sun or light shade in rich, moist, well-draining, slightly acidic soil. To maintain the moisture, water it thoroughly at planting and then once a month, and more often in dry or very hot weather. The flowing cascades of branches give this tree its character, so pruning is unnecessary except for trimming out some dieback. Picea glauca ‘Pendula’ is hardy in USDA zones 2 to 8. Its cold hardiness, eye-catching slender shape, and low maintenance make it an excellent choice for small gardens planted individually as an accent tree or in a grouping. It also makes a graceful addition to a property planted in a line along entrance drives and borders or as a windbreak or privacy screen.
Companions that do well planted nearby will need the same soil and sun requirements as Weeping White Spruce. Shrubs such as Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Abelias, Weigelas, Barberries, Hydrangeas, and Junipers all complement the tree’s color and shape. Perennials, like iris, lilies, ornamental grasses, coneflowers, hostas, roses, lilyturf, lithodora, and anemones, provide a bright touch of color and texture against the blue-green foliage.