Picea omorika 'Pendula Bruns' / Bruns' weeping Serbian spruce

Picea omorika 'Pendula Bruns' is a large-growing, upright, strictly weeping selection of Serbian spruce with typical lush silvery, blue-green needles. Most nurseries produce this plant as straight upright creating a very narrow effect in the garden. However, over time, unless continuously staked, the terminal leader will begin to twist and meander, resulting in no two mature specimens looking alike. Annual rate of growth of the terminal leader is 12 to 18 inches (30 - 45 cm) in whichever direction is chosen. The strict weeping laterals grow at a rate of 6 to 8 inches (15 - 20 cm) per year. As you can imagine, a mature specimen is a sight to behold; it is one of the "must have" conifers for any substantial conifer collection.

This cultivar originated as a seedling selected in 1955 at the Bruns nursery in Bad Zwischenahn, Germany. Occasionally one will see this cultivar incorrectly listed as 'Bruns Pendula.' It is one of two plants selected in 2007 for the ACS Collectors Conifer of the Year Program.

[Stanley & Sons Nursery] The narrowest... Leader straight with no staking. Leaves green Blue but all branches pendulous.

[Dax Herbst] My own observations of this cultivar go to that it will with time head off at an angle while still growing upright on its own. This is a fantastic cultivar, no doubt.

Picea omorika 'Pendula Bruns' This photo was taken at Bickelhaupt Arboretum located in Clinton, IA in their 'Heartland Collection of Garden Conifers' during May of 2004.
Photo by Dax Herbst
Picea omorika 'Pendula Bruns' Photographed by David in his Kansas garden, USA during October of 2006. You'll notice David has staked his plant (and recently) due to this tree's nature to take off at an upward angle.
Photo by David Stegmaier
Picea omorika 'Pendula Bruns' — a closeup of a fantastic display of a spring "bloom" of new seed cones.
Photo by Dennis Groh

Comments

Steve Karr

We have 2 Weeping Dwarf Serbian Spruce in good sized containers. They were fine last year but now quite a few of the top third of the tree the needles are turning reddish and am considering trimming them off. The soil (non fertilized) is moist but not wet or dry. Disease? Insects? I was considering spraying with a mild mix of soapy water. Yes/No? Help!!!

Reply

Maxwell Cohn

reddish brown needles that soon fall is indicative of one of the needlecast diseases. Soapy water won't do anything. It's a fungal issue. Could also be sun scorch (similar symptoms). A picture would definitely help. It would also be helpful to know where in the country your plant is.

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