Picea jezoensis subsp. hondoensis

Picea jezoensis subsp. hondoensis, also known as Hondo spruce or Japanese spruce, is a large evergreen conifer quite rare in cultivation, native to the high mountains of southern Japan. It grows in a broad and conical crown. Its young spring shoots are a beautiful silver colour, turn light and then medium green as the seasons progress, while thin pendulous green or orange cones, appear on its needle-like foliage. The decorative red-brown bark cracks with age. It is a species to be planted in isolation and reserved for large spaces, or cultivated as a bonsai. It enjoys cool and humid climates and a shaded to semi-shaded exposure.

Picea jezoensis subsp. hondoensis is a conifer belonging to the pinaceae family, originating from an isolated population that grows at high altitudes in the rainforests of central Honshu, Japan. In its natural environment, it grows rapidly and has a characteristic conical or pyramid-shaped habit with a broad base. This tree can reach heights of 30 to 50 m (98 ft 5 in to 164 ft) and its trunk can reach 2 m (6 ft 7 in) in diameter, but rarely more than 20 m (65 ft 7 in) in cultivation. This species is traditionally used for its wood and paper production in its country of origin.

It produces rigid branches that are slightly upright, layered and decreasing in length from the lower part of the crown to the top. They are covered with rounded clusters of short and flattened needles showing a white stomatal band on their undersides. Its pale fawn to orange spring buds, open into distinctly silver young shoots, which turn a bright green before darkening slightly. The cylindrical, pendulous cones are 4 to 7 cm (1.6 to 2.8 in) long and 2 cm (0.8 in) wide when closed, 3 cm (1.2 in) when the scales open to release the black, winged seeds. Its thin bark flakes off in fine scales.

Resembling the Norway spruce in its significant growth and "Christmas tree" habit, the Picea jezoensis subsp. hondoensis is best planted as a specimen to be highlighted in a large garden. It does not tolerate heat or drought. It thrives in a mountain climate, with significant summer rainfall. It is very suitable for bonsai art. The architectural qualities of conifers naturally come to the fore in the design of a contemporary garden, which prefers the aesthetics of forms, silhouettes, and textures to flowers. These plants structurally define a bed, mark pathways and border the terrace, easily replacing the strong presence of pruned boxwood or holly. For example, in a "Zen" inspired garden, Hondo spruce can be associated with deciduous or evergreen species native to Japan (Japanese maples, Japanese cherry trees, bamboo, nandinas, aucuba...)