Picea abies 'Formánek' / Formánek Norway spruce

Picea abies 'Formánek' is a prostrate selection of Norway spruce that is quite dwarf and develops into a broad mound. After 10 years, the mound might be 3 feet (1 m) across and less than 6 inches (15 cm) high. The height can be easily increased by staking. Another distinguishing trait of this plant is that the tops of the branches are bare of needles, giving the plant a bare-shouldered appearance.

This cultivar originated as a seedling selected in the early 1900s by V. Formánek, at Průhonice, Czech Republic. In 1970, Wansdyke Nursery of Devizes, United Kingdom introduced it into western Europe and later into the U.S. and beyond.