Picea omorika Nana - Serbian Spruce

Picea omorika 'Nana' is a Serbian spruce of medium size and very slow growth, ideal for small gardens. It has an attractive conical and compact habit, reaching on average 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in) in height and 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in) in width at maturity. Its short and dense branches bear shiny soft green needles with silver undersides. Its silhouette brings life to large rockeries and it is suitable for cultivation in large pots on a terrace. It is a small, vigorous and very hardy conifer, with low maintenance requirements and no need for pruning. It thrives in well-drained, not overly dry soil, and in a sunny exposure.

Picea omorika, also known as Serbian Spruce, is a plant of the pine family native to Bosnia and Serbia. It is a rare species, endemic to the Drina Valley (in Western and Eastern Serbia). In its harsh natural environment, this tree can exceed 30 m (98 ft) in height and has a narrow pyramidal habit with pendulous branches. This conifer shows tolerance towards soil conditions and perfectly withstands pollution.

The 'Nana' variety has highly ramified branches, initially forming an upright cone and becoming looser with age. Its growth is very slow, around 10 cm (3.9 in) in height and 5 cm (2 in) in width per year. A 10-year-old specimen will not exceed 3 m (9 ft 10 in) in height and 2 m (6 ft 7 in) in diameter at the base. It produces thin and short branches that are very close together and slightly pointed towards the sky. They are covered with relatively long, flat and shiny needles, arranged radially around the branches, and an aromatic (resin) smell. They are bright blue-green on the top and have 2 shiny white bands underneath, giving the foliage a silvery sheen.

The Dwarf Serbian Spruce 'Nana' deserves to be better known and planted in gardens. With its easy cultivation, personality, and reduced development, it is a perfect plant for small gardens, rockeries, and terraces. It thrives in many situations and adapts to various climates, as long as the soil is well drained. This plant goes well with large stones, geometric lines, and masonry works. It can be combined with dwarf conifers with prostrate (Juniperus horizontalis Blue Chip), globose, or columnar habit. 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 over the dance of blooms. These plants, with their reassuring permanence, structurally define a bed, mark pathways and border terraces, easily replacing the strong presence of trimmed boxwood or holly. They go well with heathers, shrubby salvias, or ground-cover plants such as aubrietas and cerastiums, as well as light-flowering shrubs like gauras. The key is to play with volumes and colours.