Picea abies 'Swedona' / Swedona Norway spruce

Picea abies 'Swedona' is a dwarf, globose selection of Norway spruce with tight, symmetrical branching and attractive species-typical length, yellowish-gray green foliage. After 10 years of growth, a mature specimen will measure 24 inches (60 cm) tall and wide, an annual growth rate of 2 inches (5 cm).

This cultivar originated as a witch's broom found in the late 1980s by Justin "Chub" Harper of Moline, Illinois. The mother plant with broom was found growing at private residence in Swedona, Illinois. In his field notes, Chub described the broom as, "small size, medium height.' The original broom was reported to be dead in 1992.

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Picea abies 'Swedona' — a mature plant in an arboretum setting.
Photo by Bill Barger
Picea abies 'Swedona' — a closeup of foliage detail.
Photo by Bill Barger
Picea abies 'Swedona' — an historic photo of the mother tree with witch's broom.
Photo by Chub Harper
Picea abies 'Swedona' — a closeup of the original 'Swedona' witch's broom.
Photo by Chub Harper

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