Picea abies 'Knaptonensis' / Knapton Norway spruce

Picea abies 'Knaptonensis' is dwarf, flattened-globose selection of Norway spruce with short, yellowish green needles, radially arranged on crowded, fan like, dense branching. After 10 years of growth, a mature specimen will measure 6 inches (15 cm) tall and 12 inches (30 cm) wide, an annual growth rate of less than 1 inch (2.5 cm).

This cultivar originated as a witch's broom found in the early 1920s by Murray Hornibrook in Country Laois, Ireland. It's noteworthy that this cultivar name is also used for a selection of Picea orientalis. Only the first named cultivar within the Picea species is legitimate.

knaptonensis.png
Picea abies 'Knaptonensis' — a very large, very old specimen in an arboretum setting.
Photo by Bill Barger
Picea abies 'Knaptonensis' — a closeup of foliage detail.
Photo by Bill Barger

Comments