Picea abies 'Stoner' is a irregularly shaped, very slow growing, conical selection of Norway spruce with fine, clumpy branching and densely arranged, medium green needles. Buds are simply "all over the map," spaced randomly and facing in odd directions. This is definitely a strange-growing plant, a welcome addition to an eclectic conifer garden.
After 10 years of growth, a a mature specimen will measure 2 feet (60 cm) tall and 1 foot (30 cm) wide, an annual growth rate of around 2 inches (5 cm) or less.
Despite being such a desirable and interesting conifer, 'Stoner' is of unknown origin. Buchholz nursery of Gaston Oregon has been occasionally producing it for many years and has some of the finest living examples in their Flora Wonder arboretum. Talon Buchholz claims to have received his first plants from Vermont's Greg Williams at Kate Brook Nursery. He listed his early plants as 'Stoner no. 2,' admitting that he'd never seen anything listed as 'Stoner no. 1.' Over time the plant simply became known in the nursery trade simply as 'Stoner.'
