Picea pungens'Sester Dwarf' is compact, dwarf pyramidal selection of Colorado spruce with stunning blue-gray needles, slow growth rate, and classical conical form, making it an ideal choice for the modern landscape. With a quarter the growth rate of its large-sized parent, this selection is the perfect diminutive form of a Colorado spruce. After 10 years of growth, a mature specimen will measure 3 feet (1 m) tall and 2 feet (60 cm) wide, an annual growth rate of 3 to 4 inches (7.5 - 10 cm). 'Sester Dwarf' is low maintenance, not requiring pruning to keep its tidy shape. It will look its best if grown in full sun.
This cultivar originated as a seedling selected by Gordon Sester of Sester Farms Nursery, Gresham, Oregon; and introduced to the nursery trade by Iseli Nursery, Boring, OR.
Attribution from: Iseli Nursery, Inc. online catalog
Picea pungens 'Sester Dwarf' in a private garden in Kansas.
Photo by David Stegmaier
Picea pungens 'Sester Dwarf' — a young specimen in spring, in a private garden, in Chesapeake Beach Maryland.
Photo by Alan Twohig
Picea pungens 'Sester Dwarf' at Bickelhaupt Arboretum, Clinton, Iowa, in their 'Heartland Collection of Garden Conifers.'
Photo by Dax Herbst
Comments
Frank Chiachiere
Can Sester tolerate full sun?
[Deleted User]
Absolutely! Like most Colorado spruce, 'Sester Dwarf' will always look best and be happiest in full sun.
Frank Chiachiere
Thank you, David Olszyk. Planted today and it is wonderful.
Sara Malone
I have two in terra cotta pots on stone terrace in full sun. They get ample water and have never burned, always look good!
Teresa
Is Picea pungens 'Sester Dwarf' deer resistant? Thank you
Maxwell Cohn
that depends on the tastes of the deer in your specific area. If they're starving, deer will eat all plants. Picea pungens is not toxic, so it's potentially free game.
Erin Stieber
Will it do ok in shaded areas?
Maxwell Cohn
no, not really. It'll probably survive, but will be sparse in terms of foliage and branching. It'll also be even more prone to fungal diseases.
Janine Bitner
I planted a #10 specimen last summer. This year it is now green and I see no new candles. Is it dying?
Maxwell Cohn
that doesn't sound too encouraging. You'll know for certain by August.
Ariel
What happens to it if not in full sun? I am looking for a dwarf evergreen tree that does ok in full sun and partial sun.
Comments
Can Sester tolerate full sun?
Absolutely! Like most Colorado spruce, 'Sester Dwarf' will always look best and be happiest in full sun.
Thank you, David Olszyk. Planted today and it is wonderful.
I have two in terra cotta pots on stone terrace in full sun. They get ample water and have never burned, always look good!
Is Picea pungens 'Sester Dwarf' deer resistant? Thank you
that depends on the tastes of the deer in your specific area. If they're starving, deer will eat all plants. Picea pungens is not toxic, so it's potentially free game.
Will it do ok in shaded areas?
no, not really. It'll probably survive, but will be sparse in terms of foliage and branching. It'll also be even more prone to fungal diseases.
I planted a #10 specimen last summer. This year it is now green and I see no new candles. Is it dying?
that doesn't sound too encouraging. You'll know for certain by August.
What happens to it if not in full sun? I am looking for a dwarf evergreen tree that does ok in full sun and partial sun.