Nodding Oriental Spruce

We all know that it takes time to become famous, and sometimes it takes a long time. The Nodding Oriental Spruce has been known of for 120 years, but it is only in recent times that it has come to the attention of gardeners. Promoted from an entry in some obscure catalogue or reference book, changes in taste and fashion have dictated that suddenly the unique form of this plant is very much in vogue. And for a good reason, because while it is indeed ‘nodding’, it isn’t a dull, sleepy fellow in the corner, but a lively and unique addition to your garden, especially if you like watching a very individualistic plant do its thing. Of modest size – somewhere between 10 and 20 feet is where it likely tops out – every plant of this variety is a unique individual, forming an irregular tree with branches that are sometimes upright and ‘normal’, sometimes horizontal and graceful, and sometimes weeping, producing an irregular, stylish tree that really stands out in your garden. Plus, aren’t we all tired of seeing another Norway spruce? Useful, perhaps, but over planted, definitely. So why not venture into other species, and the Oriental spruce is a top choice. Norway spruce are having problems with climate changes, not enjoying hot weather, and being bothered by serious pests that weren’t a problem before. Other spruce species seem like a better bet, and we are putting our money on the more heat-tolerant Oriental spruce. So get a unique tree, and one with better prospects for the future, with the Nodding Oriental Spruce – it’s a winner. Using the Nodding Oriental Spruce in Your Garden The irregular and unpredictable growth of this tree suggests using it as a special specimen in your garden. Perhaps out on an area of lawn, or in a bed of shrubs and other unique conifers. It wouldn’t be out of place in an Asian-themed planting, and deserves a spot where you can enjoy its striking growth patterns. From zone 6 it could also be grown in a large pot – in colder zones too, but you will need to bury the pot for the winter if you are in zone 4 or 5. Growing the Nodding Oriental Spruce Size and Appearance The Nodding Oriental Spruce is an evergreen conifer tree of small stature, growing somewhere between 10 and 20 feet in time, depending on location and growing conditions, and spreading out 4 or 5 feet when young, and perhaps ultimately 8 or even 10 feet across. It typically adds 8 or 9 inches a year, but could reach a foot a year when young. It begins life as an irregular bush, mounding and arching, with a combination of upright, horizontal and even weeping branches. In time it typically produces a leading stem – you can help that with some selective staking – and becomes more pyramidal in form, but still irregular and distinctive. It stays green and bushy to the ground, unless the lower branches are heavily shaded. The bark is an attractive gray with pinkish tones, turning to dark gray and splitting into smal, almost circular bark plates on older stems and the trunk. Younger branches are covered in densely-packed needles, which are unusually short, hardly more than ¼ inch long. Rounded, with blunt tips, they are a striking rich, dark-green when mature, and lighter green on new growth, making an attractive spring contrast. Older trees may develop the typical cones of this species, which are just 4 inches long, hanging in clusters, and purple-gray, turning brown in fall. Those with sharp eyes and an appreciation of small things will enjoy the tiny, bright-red pollen cones in spring. Hardiness The Nodding Oriental Spruce is hardy in warmer parts of zone 4, and reliably hardy in zone 5 and all the way into zone 8. It is more heat-tolerant than Norway spruce. Sun Exposure and Soil Conditions Plant your Nodding Oriental Spruce in full sun for the best color and growth, although a little shade will be tolerated too. Deeper shade will make it weaker, and cause it to grow upwards, losing lower branches in a few years. So choose an open, sunny spot for the best results. If you have ordinary soil that isn’t wet and poorly-drained, then this tree will be happy. It isn’t fussy and will grow in most gardens. Water new trees regularly, and younger ones should be soaked deeply a few times during dry summers, but once well-established it shows good drought tolerance. Maintenance and Pruning Untroubled by pests, or by diseases, and not bothered by deer, the Nodding Oriental Spruce is easy to grow and needs no special attention. Since we can’t predict exactly how your particular tree will develop, it is ready for your guiding hand, in the way of staking and pruning. Removing strongly-upright branches will keep it more mounded and shrub-like, while training up a single central stem will give you a more upright tree with elegant side-branches. Once you get to know your new tree, you can work together on what is best. History and Origin of the Nodding Oriental Spruce The Oriental spruce, which today experts prefer to call the Caucasian spruce, Picea orientalis, is only found in a relatively small, growing only at the eastern border of the Black Sea, in Georgia, Armenia and Turkey. There was a time when these areas were ‘The East’, or ‘The Orient’, which accounts for the name. It isn’t a tree from China or Japan. The variety called ‘Nutans’ – which means ‘nodding’ – was apparently found in Hungary around 1900, but we know little else. Since it doesn’t grow wild there it must have been a nursery or garden seedling, or perhaps found as an unusual branch on a regular tree. Buying the Nodding Oriental Spruce at the Tree Center The strong, vigorous young trees we have on our farm of the Nodding Oriental Spruce are all set to become unique individuals, and to thrive in your garden. You will enjoy watching it grow into a special, attractive tree with tons of personality and appeal. This rare variety is enjoying a period of interest, but supplies are very limited, so we just have a few to offer – don’t hesitate, they won’t stay around for long.