Thanks to its decorative features, spruce is widely used in landscape design. Traditionally, on the plots you can see varieties of European, prickly, gray spruce. Distinguish also tall and undersized their species. Recently, dwarf species and forms have become increasingly popular. One of them is the charming Picea abies Pusch.
History and description of the variety
Spruce Push - Picea abies Pusch - one of the varieties of decorative mini-firs. It was brought out by Push Werder - an employee of the University of Berlin, Witch's broom - this name was given to this pretty plant. It was bred as a result of the Acrocon spruce mutation in 1975. As a separate culture, the plant was described in 1987.
This variety can be called dwarf. The standard size of an adult twenty-year tree is up to 1 m in height and the same in width. At the age of ten, it is not higher than half a meter in height and has approximately the same width. It grows rather slowly (its annual growth reaches no more than 7 cm). The tree is developing quite asymmetrically, which does not spoil it at all, but on the contrary gives it an unusual appearance. The asymmetric arrangement of spruce branches makes it a pretty attractive plant for landscape design.
Truly amazing and unique this plant is made by unique cones. During flowering (spruce blooms from around the age of six), their cones acquire exotic shades of pink, raspberry or red. Ripening, they turn purple, and by mid-summer - brown. Unusual cones look especially good against the background of bright green needles. During flowering, the tree looks very impressive and attractive.
Use in landscape design
The red cones of this coniferous tree resemble small red spindles. Pusch spruce fits perfectly into any landscape. It can be planted as a single plant, or in group plantings.
This tree is suitable for planting in rock gardens and rockeries. It looks great in undersized coniferous compositions, looks spectacular against the backdrop of a heather garden, and is successfully used to decorate Japanese mini-gardens. It can be found in the gardens located on the roofs. Pusch spruce is great for a single landing. The ability of this tree to grow in tubs has made it a favorite plant of landscape designers and amateur gardeners.
Features of planting and care
To achieve maximum decorativeness of the planted Picea abies Pusch, it is necessary to adhere to the rules of agricultural technology for its cultivation.
Selection and preparation of a landing site
First of all, you need to know that this coniferous loves acidic soil (does not tolerate salty soils). Landing with slightly acidic or neutral pH is acceptable. The area reserved for their landing should be well moistened and illuminated. At the same time, you need to understand that from an overabundance (stagnation) of water, the tree can die (if there is a risk of flooding or when planting in a container, at least 20 cm of drainage is laid on the bottom of the landing pit). A young tree feels most favorable in light partial shade, as constant direct sunlight negatively affects the quality of the needles.
Spruce Push - moderately demanding on the fertility of the earth. She prefers sandy or light loamy soil. In order to plant it, the site (container) must be well seasoned with organics. This can be rotted manure, compost, vermicompost and peat (any of these components is mixed with soil) or good garden soil. The use of mineral fertilizers is not recommended, since organic matter gives the earth the necessary loose structure. They are best used for feeding trees during the growing season.
Important! Picea abies Pusch is rightly called frost-resistant (-40 ° C). For this reason, its landing is allowed even in winter.
Watering
Spruce Push is sensitive to drought and does not tolerate prolonged temperature increases. Therefore, after planting, it is necessary to mulch the plant well with any suitable material. In the heat, it requires frequent watering. The plant must be watered once every 2-3 days, pouring about 10 liters of water under the root.
Pruning and preparing for winter
Growing Picea abies Pusch, it is necessary to periodically carry out shaping and sanitary trimming. Forming trimming is done at the beginning of the season (in spring) to give the crown the desired shape. Sanitary pruning can be done as needed at any time of the year.
Important! Feeding Picea abies Pusch is necessary twice a year.
In this case, dead branches and cones are removed from the plant. It should be noted that Picea abies Pusch does not require special preparation for the winter, if all the previous agricultural conditions were met.
Due to its unpretentiousness in cultivation, small size, and spectacular coloring of fruits, the Push variety has rightly become the favorite of many gardeners. And thanks to the ability to grow in a container, it can become a worthy decoration not only of your garden, but also of a terrace, and even a porch.
