The Morton Arb

Selection guide

Use the pulldowns below to find information about trees or shrubs

or

or

or

plant_clinic_hours

Container gardens & Spring bedding at The Morton Arboretum

Spring Creations
Download a list of plants that can be found in our Container Gardens and Display Beds.

Use our Interactive Collections Map and our Plant Collections Map to identify where plants are located on our grounds.

Register now for Summer 2012 education programs at The Morton Arboretum

Search tree & plant advice

Bird's Nest Spruce

Tagged as: Low Growing Evergreens

Botanical Name: Picea abies 'Nidiformis'
Common Name: Bird's Nest Spruce


Picea abies 'Nidiformis' at The Morton Arboretum



Height: 3-5' Spread: 3-6' Habit/Form: Broad, dense Growth Rate: Slow Zone: 2-8
Cultural Requirements: Best in well-drained soil in full sun. Prefers slightly-acidic pH soil containing some organic matter, but will tolerate a wide range of soils, if well-drained. Established plants can tolerate short periods of drought. Little, if any, pruning required. Not salt tolerant. Deer resistant.
Ornamental Characteristics: A dwarf, shrub form of the evergreen Norway spruce tree with stiff, prickly, gray-green, ½" needles and a neat, dense, compact shape. Outward-spreading branches create a slight depression in the center of this flat-topped plant, giving rise to the name "bird's nest." Seldom produces cones.
Uses in the Landscape: Use in foundation plantings, shrub borders, and rock gardens, or as a specimen or accent plant.

Print

Related Articles

  • Dwarf Globe Blue Spruce 100%

    Published in ArrayLow Growing Evergreens
    Botanical Name: Picea pungens 'Glauca Globosa'Common Name: Dwarf Globe Blue Spruce Height: 3-5' Spread: 3-6' Habit/Form: Rounded Growth Rate: Slow Zone: 2-8Cultural Requirements: Best in well-drained soil in full sun. Prefers slightly-acidic pH...

  • Siberian or Russian Cypress 100%

    Published in Low Growing Evergreens
    Botanical Name: Microbiota decussataCommon Name: Siberian or Russian Cypress   Height: 1-1½'  Spread: 6-8'  Habit/Form: Low, spreading  Growth Rate: Slow  Zone: 2-7Cultural Requirements: Requires moist, loose, well-drained...

  • Jeddeloh Dwarf Hemlock 99%

    Published in Hemlock, Low Growing Evergreens
    Botanical Name: Tsuga canadensis 'Jeddeloh' Common Name: Jeddeloh Dwarf Hemlock Height: 3-4'  Spread: 3-4'  Habit/Form: Rounded  Growth Rate: Very slow  Zone: 4-8 Cultural Requirements: Best in moist, well-drained soil in...

  • Enci Dwarf Mugo Pine 98%

    Published in Low Growing Evergreens, dwarf, pine
    Botanical Name: Pinus mugo 'Enci'Common Name: Enci Dwarf Mugo or Swiss Mountain Pine Height: 3-4' Spread: 3-5' Habit/Form: Rounded Growth Rate: Slow Zone: 2-7Cultural Requirements: Best in moist, well-drained soil in full sun. Prefers...

  • Dwarf Norway Spruce 98%

    Published in Spruce, Low Growing Evergreens, dwarf
    Botanical Name: Picea abies 'Pumila'Common Name: Dwarf Norway Spruce   Height: 3-4' Spread: 4-5' Habit/Form: Broad, dense; more rounded than Bird's Nest Spruce Growth Rate: Slow Zone: 2-8Cultural Requirements: Best in well-drained soil in...

  • Low Growing Evergreens (generally less than 6 feet) 97%

    Published in shrubs, Low Growing Evergreens, Evergreens, tree selection
    Generally growing less than 6 feet, these shrubs screen unwanted objects and views all year, can be used to stabilize slopes or embankments, and add color to winter landscapes. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, from mounded to upright to...