Northwest Blooms · Shrubs
Picea abies 'Pusch'
Pusch Norway Spruce
- Family
- Pinaceae
- Height
- 1 to 2 ft
- Width
- 2 to 3 ft
- Flower color
- None; forms small cones
- Foliage color
- Medium-dark green evergreen needles
- Light
- Full sun to partial shade
- Water
- Average
- Maintenance
- Low; virtually no pruning required
- Growing zone
- USDA zones 3 to 7
- Wildlife
- Dense foliage provides year-round cover and shelter for small birds and wildlife; seed cones may provide occasional food for birds or small mammals
About this plant
Picea abies 'Pusch' is a dwarf evergreen conifer forming a dense, irregular mound of bright to dark green needles on many short shoots. In spring, its new growth is decorated with numerous small, upright cones that emerge vivid red to purple-red at the tips of the branches. These cones gradually turn rich brown and remain on the plant, so the shrub carries decorative cones against the foliage for much of the year.
'Pusch' originated in Germany in the 1970s and was later selected for gardens worldwide. Named American Conifer Society Collector's Conifer of the Year in 2008, it is valued for its slow growth, year-round texture, and colorful spring cone display in rock gardens, small conifer groupings, and mixed borders.
Works well in
Sun Gardens · Borders · Rock Gardens · Bird Gardens
Companion plants
Oleaster · Mexican orange blossom · Sneezeweed · Black-eyed Susan · Sea thrift · Common sage
Design tip
Make the spring cone display the visual focus of ‘Pusch,’ when vivid red to purple-red cones punctuate the dense green foliage. As the cones mature to brown and persist, they continue to add texture and detail well beyond the initial spring display.
Where to see it
This plant can be seen at Vista Gardens.
