January Shrub of the Month-Dwarf Alberta Spruce
I mentioned in this Month’s feature tree, the Himalayan pine January Tree of the Month-Himalayan Pine –, that evergreens can come in a range of sizes, so there is one for ANY size garden, patio, or balcony container. One might think that the adorable, little dwarf Alberta spruce, Picea glauca ‘Conica’, recently purchased at the garden center, would fall in the patio or balcony size group, and therefore it is perfectly safe to plant next to your walkway, foundation, or garage. After all, “DWARF” is in the name! It’s a mistake commonly made by DIY homeowners, who learn the hard way that “dwarf” is a relative term. The typical Picea glauca growing in the wild can top out at 60’, so the little Christmas tree-shaped cultivar commonly sold in the trade is indeed dwarf when compared to the straight species.
But back to that problem of the 8-foot-tall evergreen shrub eating your walkway…
No, you can NOT trim them back like you can boxwoods or yews. So, unfortunately, the biggest cause of death for a healthy, mature dwarf Alberta spruce is a lack of research, planning, and/or reading that little plant tag at the garden center.
If you have recently purchased a home with mature Albertas planted without any thought of the future, sadly, the best solution is removal. You can try to transplant, but the odds are not in your favor if it is a mature specimen. However, if your Alberta is still small, you have a decent chance. Early spring, fall, or even winter are great times to try transplanting before it’s too late. (Not summer!)
So, what is a suitable spot for a dwarf Alberta spruce? Full sun is a MUST. Albertas are known for being “one-sided,” where no foliage grows due to a lack of light, either by the shade of your home, or other plants. (Another reason not to plant next to your foundation.) An open area with plenty of air circulation and sun, with well-drained soil, is perfect. Rock gardens are ideal for Albertas. Next to your walkway is not, since the foliage is not “user-friendly” despite the huggable appearance.
As for containers and pots… In full sun, they can look great for years. Just remember, despite being slow growers, they will eventually outgrow a small pot, just as they will eventually outgrow that little space between your front porch and walkway.
The cultivar ‘Jean’s Dilly’ is an even smaller dwarf form than ‘Conica’, topping out around 5’ with the same conical shape. This might be your best bet if you want to keep your landscape plantings small or want an evergreen for smaller containers like those in Clayton pictured above.
What I love about this plant;
-Beautiful, evergreen texture for four-season interest.
-Super low-maintenance. No trimming or shearing is required unless trimmed into topiary spirals, etc.
-Deer resistant.
-Slow growing.
-Good container plant.
-Can be trimmed into spirals, pom-poms, etc.
What’s not so great;
–MUST have full sun or will become “one-sided” with no foliage on the shaded side. This not only means don’t grow them in a shade garden, but also don’t let other plants or shrubs grow too close, even in full sun.
-The common name “DWARF” is misleading. Give them space! The dwarf cultivar ‘Conica’ can grow up to 13’ high and 10’ wide! Use a smaller cultivar like ‘Jean’s Dilly’ if you seek something under 5’.
-Slow growth can be a pro or a con depending on your desires or situation. If you buy a tiny 1-gallon-sized plant and expect it to fill out a large bed, it’s gonna be a while…
-Any plant trimmed into topiary shapes is high-maintenance, requiring meticulous trimming 1-2x a year.
-Comments or questions? Email Garden-Lou at gardenloustl@gmail.com
Words and photos by Jo Batzer
© Jo Batzer, garden-lou.com-2026, All rights reserved.
