Picea abies 'Calvary Upright' is an upright conical selection of Norway spruce with dense, somewhat fastigiate branches, dark, shiny needles and distinctive, uniform, golden buds. After 10 years of growth, a mature specimen will measure 12 to 18 inches (20 - 40 cm) tall and wide, an annual growth rate of 1 to 1.5 inches (2 - 4 cm).
This cultivar originated as a witch's broom found in 1978 by Randy Dykstra of Fulton, Iowa, USA. He found the original broom in Calvary Cemetery, Rock Island, Illinois. The parent broom was very upright in growth habit but the first grafts turned out to be more bun shaped, only becoming upright and conical after 10-15 years. The excellent thick dark green foliage makes this an exceptional plant.The foliage almost appears to like a Colorado spruce since the ends of the needles are sharp.
