Picea jezoensis 'Howell's Dwarf' is a spreading, flat-topped, dense, bushy form of Jezo spruce with ascending branching holding attractive needles that are of typical color for the species - blue-green on upper surfaces with silver-blue undersides and a hint of yellow on the most-exposed surfaces. Another special feature is an absolute riot of rose-purple new seed cones in early spring.
Even though these plants remain bushy and flat-topped for a very long time, older plants will eventually develop apical dominance and assume a densely conical growth habit. After 10 years of growth, a mature specimen will measure 3 feet (1 m) high and 4.5 feet (1.5 m) broad, an annual growth rate of 4 to 6 inches (10 - 15 cm).
This cultivar originated as a seedling selected in the late 1960s by Skylands Nursery, Ringwood New Jersey, USA and introduced to the nursery trade by John Vermeulen and Son Nursery, Asbury, New Jersey.
This selection is resplendent with nomenclatural issues - it is quite often seen listed under the species, Picea alcoquiana, (or its former specific name, Picea bicolor). One can easily reconcile this conflict through analysis of spring bud break between the two species. Picea jezoensis consistently breaks bud a month earlier than alcoquiana. This is also the case with cultivars of the two very similar species.
In addition, persistent inconsistencies exist with the cultivar name - Vermeulen Nursery first described and listed it under the cultivar name, 'Howell's Tigertail,' but later changed the name to avoid confusion with Picea torano's common name, "Tigertail spruce." One final common cultivar error is to combine the provisional and current (correct) names into, 'Howell's Dwarf Tigertail.'
