Dwarf Norway Spruce

Picea abies 'Pumila'

Nature Hills Nursery

Compact Mound Shape Perfect for Rock Gardens and Small Spaces Without Overgrowth
Cold Hardy: Thrives in Zones 3-8
Grows 3-4 ft Tall, 3-5 ft Wide
Evergreen Year-Round Color and Privacy
Excellent Foundation Planting in Rock Gardens

$103²³

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Plant Size

#3 Container

Product variants

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

The Dwarf Norway Spruce is happiest when settled into a site that provides great light and excellent drainage. Picking the right spot now ensures this gorgeous evergreen maintains its dense, compact shape for years to come.

Sunlight: Aim for a minimum of six hours of direct sun daily; full sun ensures the best needle color and dense habit. While it can handle light afternoon shade, less sun will result in a slightly looser, more open growth pattern.
Soil: This plant needs well-drained, slightly acidic soil; think of soil that stays moist but never soggy. If you have heavy clay, amend the entire planting hole with plenty of compost and coarse sand to improve aeration and prevent root rot.

Watering Requirements

For the first year, water deeply and consistently—about once a week during dry periods—to help the root system establish itself. Once mature, your spruce will be impressively drought-tolerant, but watch for prolonged dry spells, especially through the winter when soil moisture can become depleted. Inconsistent watering can lead to needle drop and desiccation stress, significantly impacting the plant's overall health and appearance.

Pruning Tips

Unlike many flowering shrubs, pruning an evergreen is about shaping and density, not bloom timing. The best time to prune is in early spring or early summer, just as the new growth "candles" are expanding but before they fully harden. Simply pinch or snip off half of the new candle growth; this encourages back-budding and keeps the plant dense, which is the key to maintaining its tidy, compact form.

Fertilizer Needs

A well-established Dwarf Norway Spruce requires minimal feeding, but a boost in spring can be helpful. Apply a slow-release, balanced granular fertilizer formulated for evergreens (like a 10-10-10 ratio) around the plant's drip line as soon as new growth begins. A crucial thing to avoid is applying high-nitrogen fertilizer late in the season, after mid-July, because it encourages soft, tender growth that won't have time to harden off before winter frost.

Delivery and Shipping

Shipping Rates

Ships in 7-10 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected

Under $50	$9.99
$50 - $99.99	$14.99
$100 - $149.99	$16.99
$150 - $198.99	$24.99
$199+	FREE

✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee

Understanding Our Container Sizes

At Nature Hills, our plants are sold in industry-standard nursery containers. You will notice we use the word "container" rather than "gallon." Container numbers follow a nursery trade size standard, not liquid volume. The number tells you the plant's size category and general maturity level. A larger container means a more established plant with a stronger root system.

Container Sizes

Quart

Plant age: 6 months to 1 year
Best for: Ground covers, perennials, ornamental grasses
What to expect: Our smallest and most affordable size. Well-suited for planting in multiples across a large area. Allow 1 to 2 seasons for full establishment.

#1 Container

Plant age: 1 to 2 years
Best for: Shrubs, perennials, smaller trees
What to expect: About the size of a large coffee can. A well-developed root system in a manageable size. Good value choice when you have time to let the plant grow into the space over a season or two.

#2 Container

Plant age: 2 to 3 years
Best for: Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment
What to expect: A noticeable step up from a #1 in both plant size and root development. Good choice when you want visible presence without going to a larger size.

#3 Container

Plant age: 3 to 4 years
Best for: Most plants, most situations — flowering trees, shade trees, evergreen shrubs
What to expect: Our most popular size. Strong, developed root system. Plants in a #3 container make an immediate visual impact from day one. If you want a head start rather than waiting seasons for a plant to fill in, this is typically the right choice.

#5 Container and Larger

Plant age: 4 to 5+ years
Best for: Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact
What to expect: Large, mature plants ready to make an immediate statement in your landscape. We also carry #7 and larger sizes for select varieties.

Why "Container" and Not "Gallon"?

Nursery container sizes follow an industry trade standard established for the nursery and horticulture industry. The number is a size designation, not a measurement of liquid volume. Actual soil volume varies by plant type, root mass, and growing medium. Using "container" is the accurate industry term. When you see #1, #2, or #3, think of it as the plant's size tier, not a gallon measurement.

Root Pouch Containers

Some Nature Hills plants arrive in a Root Pouch, a breathable fabric container made from 100% recycled materials. Root Pouches encourage denser root development through air pruning, which discourages root circling and promotes a stronger, more fibrous root ball at the time of planting.

Plants growing in Root Pouch fabric containers, showing the breathable woven fabric construction

There are two types. Knowing which one you have changes how you plant:

Degradable (brown or tan fabric): Plant the entire pouch directly in the ground. The fabric breaks down naturally in the soil over time.
Non-degradable (black or gray fabric): Remove the pouch before planting. Cut the bottom open with scissors, then peel the sides away. The fibrous root ball will hold its shape.

Not sure which type you have? Check the tag on your plant or contact us and we will confirm.

Full Root Pouch planting guide

Choosing the Right Size

Size	Plant Age	Best For
Quart	6 mo to 1 yr	Ground covers, perennials, grasses. Budget-friendly for mass plantings.
#1 Container	1 to 2 yrs	Shrubs, perennials, small trees. Value choice for patient gardeners.
#2 Container	2 to 3 yrs	Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment.
#3 Container	3 to 4 yrs	Most plants. Immediate visual impact. Our most popular size.
#5 and larger	4+ yrs	Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact.

Still not sure which size is right for your project? Our plant specialists are happy to help. Contact us and we will point you in the right direction.

Plant specifications
Plant Characteristics	Cold hardy, Evergreen, Compact/Dwarf, Deer-resistant, Drought resistant, Container Friendly, Hedge/Screen
Hardiness Zone	4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a
Sunlight	Full sun
Height	3-4 ft
Width	3-5 ft
Watering Needs	Moderate
Preferred Soil	Sandy
Growth Rate	Slow
Growth Habit	Bushy, Upright
Blooms In	Spring
Flower Color	White
Foliage Color	Green
Suitable Space	Outdoors
Plant Name	Spruce
Botanical Name	Picea abies 'Pumila'
Species	abies
Cultivar	Pumila
Class	Pinopsida
Does Not Ship To	AK, HI, ID, MT, PR

Attractive Evergreen Accent - Dwarf Norway Spruce

Whether you are just getting started in new a home, or revamping mature landscaping with fresh, modern plantings - you'll want to include evergreen shrubs in your design! These beautiful workhorses pull the load all year long, with steadfast color and enduring structure.

Some evergreens grow to enormous proportions, and that won't work in small space gardens. Get a big impact with the small-scale Dwarf Norway Spruce (Picea abies 'Pumila')! Growing slowly into a broad mound. You'll have a delightful shape with charismatic, blue-green needles that look amazing all year long.

Create a showy, low-maintenance garden with this perfect choice to bring beauty without back-breaking effort. These tidy, yet cute and personable, evergreens add a perky green presence all growing season!

Sparrows and other small songbirds love them for shelter. However, deer tend to leave them alone. These miniature Norway Spruces handle USDA cold hardiness zones 3 to 8 with ease!

Landscape Application:

Leverage these unique, globe-shaped plants to accent your foundation where they stay low enough to use under windows! Or as backdrops and definition throughout mixed garden plantings. The compact size, mounding habit, and showy, uptilted dark green foliage create a strong focal point.

Our sales teams work with property owners across the country who are ripping out overgrown "ho-hum" plantings and starting over fresh and modern. Formal enough for the front yard, Dwarf Norway Spruce is too chipper to be boring! It won't outgrow its space and you will likely never have to prune it to maintain the uniform shape.

This low-growing, hardy evergreen is also a good choice for Rock gardens and can be planted along the top of retaining walls. You'll gain four seasons of interest by including one or several on a raised berm!

Plant several as a bright, low, easy-care hedge, spacing them three feet apart on center. You'll measure from the center of one to the center of the next. For the fastest results, buy the largest container size we have in stock. These are older plants that have been carefully grown for many years.

No need to miss out on design fundamentals if you are renting, or only have a tiny courtyard to furnish. Grow Dwarf Norway Spruce in containers for your balcony or patio. Can you imagine how fun a pair of hot pink pots will look flanking on either side of your front door?

On commercial properties, why not create a tableau of dwarf evergreens in colorful outdoor containers that match your logo? They'll grab attention for years and years, all for the minimal costs of water and fertilizer.

Develops A Uniform Globe-Shape
Marvelously Dense Blue-Green Needles
Provides Valuable Shelter for Birds
Specimen or Hedge & Great in Foundation Plantings
Stays Compact Without Pruning
Can Be Grown in Containers For Years!

#ProPlantTips for Care:

Dwarf Norway Spruce performs well in either full sun or partial shade (especially in hotter climates). You will need to plant them with good air circulate access in a site with well-drained soil. If your planting site remains soggy for prolonged periods, please elevate the planting in a raised bed.

Pay close attention to watering and protect your investment with a moderate amount of water applied in times without adequate rainfall. Ensure that your outdoor containers have plenty of drainage holes, and container-grown plants need supplemental water their whole life. Water your evergreens very well before winter to prevent winter burn.

Improve your soil with a light application of mulch over the root system. You can apply fertilizer for evergreens in early spring, but please follow the directions on the label.

If you ever need to correct a wayward branch, do any light pruning in spring before new growth begins. You'll appreciate the lighter green growth in spring!

Grow In Full Sun or Partial Shade
Any Kind Of Well-Drained Soil Types
Moderate Moisture Needs
Extremely Cold Hardy!
Slow Growing = Low-Maintenance
Deer-Resistant

Gain an elegant, polished, and high-end designer look with compact Dwarf Norway Spruce! Place your order from our plant experts at NatureHills.com!

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the mature size (height and width) of Dwarf Norway Spruce?

Dwarf Norway Spruce typically reaches 3-4 feet tall and 4-5 feet wide at maturity after 10-15 years of slow growth. This compact evergreen forms a broad, globe-shaped mound that stays low enough for foundation plantings under windows. Space plants 3 feet apart when creating hedges or groupings.

Will Dwarf Norway Spruce grow well in my zone 5 climate?

Dwarf Norway Spruce thrives in USDA zones 3-8, making it an excellent choice for your zone 5 garden. This hardy evergreen handles cold winters with ease while providing year-round structure and blue-green color. Shop at Nature Hills for this reliable, low-maintenance addition to your landscape.

How do I plant Dwarf Norway Spruce, including soil type and site preparation?

Plant Dwarf Norway Spruce in well-draining soil in full sun to partial shade across zones 3-8. Choose a location with adequate air circulation and dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball but no deeper. Space multiple plants 3 feet apart from center to center for hedging.

What sunlight exposure does Dwarf Norway Spruce prefer—full sun or partial shade?

Dwarf Norway Spruce thrives in full sun to partial shade conditions. Like most spruces, it performs best with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily but tolerates some afternoon shade. In zones 3-8, ensure it gets morning sun for optimal needle color and compact growth habit.

How do I prune Dwarf Norway Spruce to maintain its shape?

Dwarf Norway Spruce naturally maintains its uniform globe shape without pruning. This slow-growing evergreen rarely needs trimming in zones 3-8. If light shaping is desired, prune in late winter before new growth begins. Shop this low-maintenance beauty at naturehills.com.

Is Dwarf Norway Spruce deer resistant or prone to animal damage?

Deer tend to leave Dwarf Norway Spruce alone, making it a good choice for areas with deer pressure. Small songbirds like sparrows actually use these evergreens for shelter. Plant them confidently in zones 3-8 without worrying about deer damage to your landscape investment.

Can Dwarf Norway Spruce be grown in a container or pot?

Dwarf Norway Spruce grows excellently in containers due to its compact, slow-growing nature and mounding habit. This hardy evergreen thrives in zones 3-8 and stays naturally small without pruning. Choose a pot at least 18 inches wide with drainage holes and use quality potting mix for best results.

Does Dwarf Norway Spruce come with any warranty or guarantee from the seller?

Nature Hills stands behind their plants with a one-year warranty on trees and shrubs, including Dwarf Norway Spruce. This hardy evergreen thrives in zones 3-8 and grows slowly into its compact mounded form. Check their website for complete warranty details and proper planting guidelines to ensure your spruce gets the best start.

Dwarf Norway Spruce

Picea abies 'Pumila'