Picea abies ‘Nidiformis’

Bird’s Nest Spruce :

Many dwarf evergreens begin as mutations of some larger tree, and that is true of this popular foundation plant. Forming from an aberration called a “witches broom“, superstitious souls once thought that trees were “bewitched” and brought forth these mutations, now we know that other scientific sources are the cause. However they come about, the bird’s nest spruce once started as the tall growing Norway spruce, of which I have a number on my property- they grow very well in the conditions here.

[The look]

The color ranges from a dull medium to a dark green with bright spring green tips for new growth. When young they have a dish like depression in the middle, and don’t grow quickly at first; over time they mound a bit and can suffer damage in the center from breakage dur to snow weight or from attack by spider mites. Preventative care consists of brushing off the heavy snow with a broom in winter, or spraying the plants down with water in summer to discourage spider mites.

[The needs]

Full sun- everybody says so, but I will let you in on my little secret: I grow it in half sun. I have three areas where I have planted the Picea abies ‘Nidiformis’, a north facing foundation planting, under a crabapple tree, and tucked in between some taxus bushes. This shrub is doing well in all places, although it is growing very slowly under the crabapple tree. Average moisture, although it likes regular watering and an occasional showering off in the hot summertime.

[Growing notes]

This shrub grows slower than most taxus varieties so pay attention to “spread” measurements in order to prevesnt overcrowding.

[Fun Facts]

Learn a little Latin: Picea comes from the Latin word pix, meaning pitch, and abies is the Latin name for fir. Nidiformis means nest-shaped.

A “Witch’s Broom” is an abnormal, twiggy and unusually dense growth in an otherwise normal tree arising from overstimulated growing points.

Good to know:
The Conifer Society has created a growth rate chart.
Miniature: less than 1” of growth annually or less than 1’ in 10 years
Dwarf: 2”-6” growth annually or 3’-6’ in 10 years
Intermediate: 6”-12” growth annually or 6’-15’ in 10 years
Large: more than 12” annually or more than 15’ in 10 years

Hardiness Zones: 3 to 6
Form: Densely branched, rounded with a horizontal to flat-topped visual impression, spreading shrub; depression in center
Height 3 Feet
Spread 7-8 Feet

Other varieties:
Blue Birds Nest Spruce (Picea m. ‘Nana’)

Another dwarf evergreen that might interest you: Hinoki cypress

More Links:

Picea abies ‘Nidiformis’ [ACS]
Check the Photos at the end of perfunctory fact sheet.
Grown as a Bonsai
Bird’s Nest Spruce

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