There appear to be two different cultivars.
Humphrey Welch and Gordon Haddow in 'The World Checklist of Conifers' show two introductions. One is from Czechoslovakia and the other from Canada. The Czechosl. cultivar is the one mainly found in the trade. Welch and Haddow describe that it is a mutation from Conica from before 1960.
Porter Howse Farms catalogue states - "This mutation of Alberta Spruce has very dense foliage. It is a conical dwarf shrub that originated in Czechoslovakia.
I will add that this plant grows nicely in Zone 3a provided that it is covered for the winter and very early spring until the ground has began to thaw. I cover mine with an old plant pot. Because of its extreme slow growth this cultivar can easily be protected for years in such harsh winter environments.
There is also a very good picture of a large Gnome than what is shown in this record in 'Conifers The Illustrated Encyclopedia'
