Multi-leader weeping white spruce
jimbecky48
5 years ago
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stuartlawrence (7b L.I. NY)
5 years agoRelated Discussions
weeping white spruce
Comments (29)Hi all and thanks for your response to my previous question. Below are a couple photos of what I was talking about. This Picea glauca 'Pendula' is a recent addition to my yard, and it has been staked since I purchased it, but I just want to know if I should keep the leader stem staked and forced upward, because it is naturally bending down. It appears it was left that way in the nursery, so I want to be careful if I need to prop it back upward. If I do attach the leader to the stake, how long should I leave the stake attached to the whole thing? The Spruce is about four foot tall and the top may not seem to be bent too bad in the photos, but its partly because I already attempted to gently bend it upward since it was pointing almost straight down when I purchased it. Thanks again....See Moremore on staking weeping norway spruce
Comments (8)You know to plant or not to plant and when to plant is a decision that has to be made individually. We all have our different methods and free advice to give. As for me I don't leave them in the pots all summer to become more root bound with continued growth held in check because of the restricted environment it is being subjected to. The longer grown in this state the more compromised the conifer becomes over time. If put in the ground, planted properly, and cared for I have always experienced better results. I plant all growing season. Of course climate and even micro- climate plays a big part in success or failure and where you live should be taken into consideration. Transplanting is a different issue all together. Either Fall or early Spring is the only time to do this. 4-5 ft. trees do not need to be staked unless you are training them for vertical growth. Once you have a dominant leader then the need for staking is over. This is not to say it will grow a completely straight vertical trunk. It bends and twists on it's upward growth which is the nature of this conifer. Lateral growth will be substantial as the tree matures. I have two of them. One puts out twice as much lateral growth as the other. There seems to be no consensus on the true identity of this cultivar. It takes on so many forms mostly irregular, erratic, semi-prostrate, mounding, etc. Purchased in 1-2 year old grafts you can decide how you want them to grow. This conifer is sold in most Nursery's under the cultivar name as 'Pendula'. Correct cultivar name is 'Reflexa'. Get them in the ground and start enjoying. Always a great focal point conifer. Dave...See MoreWeeping Spruce: Norway vs. White
Comments (4)You want the best of both worlds built into one conifer. That is not possible with the two you have chosen. Picea a. 'Pendula' has a wondering growing habit. It will grow vertical on the stake as long as on the stake. When it reaches a height you can no longer stake it then the central leader will begin to wonder. It will need more room horizontally to grow then "Glauca Pendula'. The only favorable thing it has going for it is the dark green color you like. On the other hand Picea glauca 'Pendula' will grow straight as an arrow without the stake. It will not wonder and stay very narrow in growing width. A much more formal looking conifer then . Growing height is similar with 'Reflexa' the stronger.. Actually I have two of each growing in different areas of my garden. I would not grow them together. The look would not be appealing with the mismatched growing habit. I have enclosed two photos of 'Reflexa'. 'Pendula' in the nursery trade. This one on the stake only 2 years then left to free range. This one was staked for 10 years but now off the stake. The main leader is now some what unstable and reverting back to its wandering growing habit. This photo is two years old and does not reveal this. And of course Picea glauca 'Pendula'. A true champion growing in any garden. I hope I didn't totally confuse you in your decision making. Both are great focal point conifers. If you decide to mix and match go for it. You are the one who needs to be happy. Dave...See MoreWeeping Norway Spruce: Need Help Training, Currently Too Short
Comments (31)Unfortunately there was a reason it was the last one at Home Depot at a really good price. It has been in the pot WAY too long, is terribly root bound, was not trained properly prior to you getting it, has sat in the pot for weeks with you, ants have moved into the root ball and made a nest...the plant has been stressed for a long time and is more susceptible to disease and pests. And now it is even hotter than when you first posted. So my advice to you would be plant it as soon as possible (yesterday) and keep it well watered going into the winter, and hope for the best....See Moreken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
5 years agojimbecky48
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoUser
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoI would leave it for at least 2-3 years as it may sort itself out on its own (I was doubful this would, but it did). This used to have 2 leaders. When you wait until late Nov. for 50% off, you often end up with “weirder the better” material. This sorted itself out on its own. Its in a wet location (P. Pungens to right is in very wet spot and planted too low hence lower branches dying). Perhaps this helped sort it out (more quickly). The dwarf Alberta spruce to its left is reverting. I really, really, really like weeping white spruce, especially tall, older specimens. A deer also got to this about 3 years ago.
jimbecky48
5 years agoWish I had the space some of you guys have! I can see how collecting these things could become a hobby.
Anyways here is a close up picture of it. Looks like they lopped up another upright growing branch.
jimbecky48
5 years agoUser
5 years agoAfter the initial 3 or so year acclimation period, perhaps a foot or so. Ive got one in shade, that one not as much. Here is my largest on the left. Just weeded around it so you could see the lower 3 feet. Every once in a while, I see one that has appeared to be in the ground 20-30+ years. Especially love those older specimens.
jimbecky48
5 years agoUser
5 years agoHere is the tree planted in shade. It was planted at the same time as the above tree, about 4 years ago. Not as lush but it is doing ok. I suspect it will straighten out at the top by this fall.
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