Picea engelmannii'Compacta' is a dwarf, upright, compact, pyramidal selection of Engelmann spruce with short, thin, blue-gray needles. According to Bob Fincham, this cultivar is a dwarf, conical, blue form that grows up to 4 inches (10 cm) per year and is similar in form to Picea pungens 'Montgomery' but with the foliage of engelmannii. After 10 years, a mature specimen will stand 5 feet (1.6 m) tall and 3 feet (90 cm) wide.
The origin of this cultivar is unknown. It is a very old cultivar, likely originating in Europe in the 1920s.
Picea engelmannii 'Compacta' — Green Industry Images; copyrighted photograph; permission granted (January 2008).
Photo by Ernie Wiegand
Picea engelmannii 'Compacta' — a 12-year-old specimen in a private collection in Iowa. At the time, this specimen measured 4 feet tall and 3.5 feet wide.
Photo by Dennis Hermsen
Picea engelmannii 'Compacta' — a spectacular mature specimen.
Photo by Bill Barger
Picea engelmannii 'Compacta' — even very attractive as a relatively young plant.
Photo by Bill Barger
Picea engelmannii 'Compacta' in Rock Island, Illinois, late May, 2007.
Photo by Dax Herbst
Picea engelmannii 'Compacta' — a closeup of foliage detail.
Photo by Bill Barger
Picea engelmannii 'Compacta' — a closeup of foliage detail.
Photo by Bill Barger
Comments