Picea omorika Karel - Serbian Spruce

Picea omorika 'Karel' is a dwarf form of Serbian Spruce, with very slow growth, which forms an attractive and very compact flattened ball, with a slightly curly appearance. Its short and very dense branches resemble little brushes, of a beautiful sea-green colour with blue reflections. Its rounded shape is accompanied by very short, prickly needle foliage. Because of its unusual habit and ease of cultivation, it is an interesting addition to small gardens or large rockeries, and adapts very well to container gardening. Original and endearing, it is a very hardy, undemanding shrub, which does not require pruning. It is content with ordinary, well-drained, not overly dry soil, even limestone, and a sunny exposure.

Picea omorika, also known as Serbian Spruce, is a plant of the Pinaceae family native to Bosnia and Serbia. It is a rare species, endemic to the Drina Valley (in Western and Eastern Serbia), although it can also be found in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In its natural environment, which is often very harsh, this tree can reach heights of over 30 m (98 ft), and has a narrow pyramidal habit and pendulous branches. This conifer is very tolerant of soil conditions and pollution.

The 'Karel' variety is a dwarf conifer, with a very compact habit, which forms a very regular dome or globe, slightly wider than it is tall after many years. Its growth is very slow, around 5 to 8 cm (2 to 3.1 in) per year. At maturity, it will reach 80 cm (31.5 in) in height and about 1 m (3 ft 4 in) in width, depending on the growing conditions. The shape and colour of this conifer may remind those who are familiar with them of a "Valda lozenge". It produces thin and short branches, arranged in a dense and bushy tuft. They are covered with flat needles, arranged in dense brushes, and an aromatic (resin) smell. They are dark blue-green on top and have 2 white bands on the underside, which gives the foliage a silvery sheen.

The dwarf Serbian Spruce 'Karel' deserves to be planted more often in gardens. Because of its ease of cultivation, its personality, and its reduced growth, it is a perfect plant for small gardens, rockeries, and terraces. It thrives in many situations, tolerates urban pollution, and adapts to various climates, as long as the soil is well drained. This plant goes well with large stones, geometric lines, and masonry work. It can be combined with prostrate dwarf conifers (Juniperus horizontalis Blue Chip) with columnar or pyramidal habits. The true graphic qualities of conifers naturally impose themselves in the design of a contemporary garden, which prefers the aesthetics of shapes, silhouettes, and textures to the dance of blooms. These plants, with their reassuring permanence, structurally enhance flower beds, mark pathways and border terraces, easily replacing the strong presence of trimmed boxwood or holly. They go well with heathers or ground-cover plants such as aubrieta, cerastium and shrubby salvias, as well as flowering shrubs. The key is to play with volumes and colours.