Picea abies 'Little Gem' (Norway spruce 'Little Gem')

Botanical name

Picea abies 'Little Gem'

Other names

Norway spruce 'Little Gem'

Genus

Picea Picea

Variety or Cultivar

'Little Gem' _ 'Little Gem' is a low-growing, spreading, evergreen conifer of slow growth. Foliage is needle-like and when new in spring is a fresh-green becoming dark green later.

Foliage

Evergreen

Habit

Irregular

Awards

RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)

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Colour

Foliage

Dark-green in All seasons

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How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Aphids , Pineapple gall adelgid on spruce trees , Red spider mite (box and other)

Diseases

Generally disease free.

General care

Propagation methods

Grafting, Semi-hardwood cuttings

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Picea abies 'Little Gem' (Norway spruce 'Little Gem') will reach a height of 1m and a spread of 4m after 20-50 years.

Suggested uses

Architectural, City, Cottage/Informal, Low Maintenance, Rock

Cultivation

Grow in moist, free-draining, acidic soil in full sun. Shelter from cold, drying winds.

Soil type

Clay, Loamy, Sandy

Soil drainage

Moist but well-drained, Well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Neutral

Light

Full Sun

Aspect

North, South, East, West

Exposure

Exposed, Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Hardy (H4)

USDA zones

Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4, Zone 3

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Picea abies 'Little Gem' (Norway spruce 'Little Gem')

Common pest name

Scientific pest name

Ips subelongatus

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

5

General biosecurity comments

Pest of conifers with EU regulation helping to mitigate against the entry on conifer wood from non-European sources. Also present in European Russia with a similar range to Ips typographus; for which the UK has a protected zone with requirements on conifer wood.

Defra's Risk register #2

Plant name

Picea abies 'Little Gem' (Norway spruce 'Little Gem')

Common pest name

Dothistroma needle blight; Red band needle blight

Scientific pest name

Dothistroma septosporum

Type

Fungus

Current status in UK

Present (Limited)

Likelihood to spread in UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

5

General biosecurity comments

Fungal pest of pine; already present in UK of particular concern in Scotland

Defra's Risk register #3

Plant name

Picea abies 'Little Gem' (Norway spruce 'Little Gem')

Common pest name

Alaska spruce beetle; Eastern spruce beetle; Engelmann spruce beetle; Red-winged pine beetle; Sitka-spruce beetle; Spruce beetle

Scientific pest name

Dendroctonus rufipennis

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

1

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

5

General biosecurity comments

Damaging pest of spruce in North America; EU mitigations in place through regulation of pest and prohibition of spruce imports.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/