Picea abies 'Maleček' / Maleček Norway spruce

Picea abies 'Maleček' is a diminutive, flattened-globose selection of Norway spruce with symmetrical, short fine branching, tiny, radially arranged, medium green needles and prominent, rich brown buds. After 10 years of growth, a mature specimen will measure 6 inches (15 cm) tall and 10 inches (25 cm) wide, an annual growth rate of less than 1 inch (2.5 cm).

This conifer is often confused with the very similar Czech witch's broom selection, P. abies 'Malíček.’ The branching on ‘Malíček’ is held a little more upright, in addition to being slightly faster growing. The branching on ‘Maleček’ tends to be a little more layered. See below for a side-by-side comparison, courtesy of Czech conifer master, František Borovec.