Little Gem Norway Spruce
Picea abies 'Little Gem'
- Stay Protected with Plant Sentry ™
Little Gem Norway Spruce - #1 Container is backordered and will ship as soon as it is back in stock.
Plant Sentry™
Plant Sentry™
Plant Sentry is designed to protect both consumers and the nursery trade from invasive plant pests and diseases. Sites that display the Plant Sentry protection badge are protected from consumers buying and nurseries shipping material carrying invasive pests and diseases.
This proprietary eCommerce software prevents the shipment of a restricted plant to each state. The Plant Sentry system includes a shipment certification program. The Plant Sentry Compliance Officer works closely with NatureHills.com and each nursery or fulfillment center to ensure only compliant plants are sold to customers.
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Delivery and Shipping
Delivery and Shipping
Shipping
To obtain a more accurate shipment time-frame, simply enter your zip code in the “Find Your Growing Zone” box to the right. Our plants are grown all over the country and lead time on items may be different because of this. Once your order is placed, you will also receive the specific shipment time-frame information as part of your order confirmation. Once an item ships, you will receive shipment notification and tracking numbers, so you can follow along while your plant travels to your doorstep. We use FedEx, UPS, or USPS at our discretion.
Due to winter weather we have put a hold on shipping to the areas shown below in grey. You can still order now and we will ship the plant to you during an appropriate time for your zone.
Standard Shipping Rates
At Nature Hills we handle, package and ship the products you order with the utmost care to ensure healthy delivery. Shipping and handling charges are calculated based on the tables below. Please note that some items include an additional handling surcharge, these will be noted on the item's product page.
From | To | S&H |
---|---|---|
$0 | $19.99 | $24.99 |
$20 | $49.99 | $29.99 |
$50 | $69.99 | $34.99 |
$70 | $99.99 | $39.99 |
$100 | $129.99 | $44.99 |
$130 | $149.99 | $48.99 |
$150 | $150+ | Approx 28% |
Click here to see our full rates
Understanding Plant Options
Nature Hills offers plants in two main formats:
- Container Plants: Grown in pots with soil, sized by container volume and plant age
- Bare Root Plants: Dormant plants without soil, sized by height measurements
Container Plant Sizes
Container sizes indicate plant age and growing capacity rather than liquid volume equivalents. Our containers follow industry-standard nursery "trade gallon" specifications, which differ from standard liquid gallon measurements.
Young Plants (6 months to 18 months old)
Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
---|---|---|
2" x 2" x 3" | 0.18 - 0.21 dry quarts | 0.20 - 0.23 dry liters |
4" Container | 0.31 - 0.87 dry quarts | 0.35 - 0.96 dry liters |
4.5" Container | 0.65 dry quarts | 0.72 dry liters |
6" Container | 1.4 dry quarts | 1.59 dry liters |
1 Quart | 1 dry quart | 1.1 dry liters |
5.5" Container | 1.89 dry quarts | 2.08 dry liters |
Established Plants (18 months to 2.5 years old)
Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
---|---|---|
2 Quart | 2 dry quarts | 2.2 dry liters |
#1 Container | 2.26 - 3.73 dry quarts | 2.49 - 4.11 dry liters |
5" x 5" x 12" | 3.5 - 4.3 dry quarts | 3.85 - 4.74 dry liters |
Mature Plants (2-4 years old)
Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
---|---|---|
#2 Container | 1.19 - 1.76 dry gallons | 5.24 - 7.75 dry liters |
#3 Container | 2.15 - 2.76 dry gallons | 8.14 - 12.16 dry liters |
Large Plants (3-5 years old)
Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
---|---|---|
#5 Container | 2.92 - 4.62 dry gallons | 12.86 - 20.35 dry liters |
#6 Container | 5.25 - 6.01 dry gallons | 23.12 - 26.42 dry liters |
#7 Container | 5.98 - 6.53 dry gallons | 26.34 - 28.76 dry liters |
Bare Root Plants
Bare root plants are sold by height from the root system to the top of the plant. Plants may exceed minimum height requirements.
Common Sizes:
- Trees: 1 foot, 2 feet, 3 feet, 4 feet, 5 feet, 6 feet
- Shrubs & Perennials: 1 foot, 18 inches, 2 feet
Important Notes
Container Volume Specifications
- Trade Gallon Standard: Our containers follow industry-standard "trade gallon" specifications established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI Z60.1) for nursery stock
- Volume Variations: Actual soil volume may vary due to plant root systems and growing medium settlement
- Age Indicators: Container size primarily indicates plant age and maturity rather than liquid volume equivalents
Growing Conditions
- Plant size can vary based on variety and growing conditions
- Container size helps indicate plant maturity and establishment level
- Larger containers generally mean more established root systems and faster landscape establishment
Seasonal Availability
- Bare root plants are available seasonally when dormant
- Container plants are available throughout the growing season
- Specific varieties may have limited availability in certain sizes
Questions?
For questions about specific plant sizes or availability, please contact our plant experts who can help you choose the right size for your landscape needs.
Plant Highlights
Little Gem Norway Spruce highlights at a glance!
Specifications
Specifications
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Brand
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Botanical Name
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Growing Zones
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Mature Height
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Mature Spread
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Sun ExposureFull Sun
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Moisture
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Soil
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Growth RateSlow
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Fall Color
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Pruning Time

Growing Zones 2-8
Perfect Low Growing Little Gem Norway Spruce
- Dwarf Evergreen Conifer
- Compact, Flat Topped Globe Form Looks Neat and Tidy
- Easy Care
- Year-Round Interest
- Wonderful Foundation Plant
- Great in Containers
- Rich Green Needles Form a Dense, Bird Friendly Shelter Plant
- Slow Growing Shrubs Never Need Pruning
You'll love this hard-working, pretty, small evergreen. The no-drama Little Gem Norway Spruce (Picea abies 'Little Gem') simply performs beautifully for you, no matter where you choose to use it. Every landscape design needs evergreen shrubs to act as evergreen structure and definition. You might consider them the 'bones', or even the framing or scaffolding of your design.
Nature Hills expert growers love these workhorse plants and take special pride in growing them. We actually baby them a bit, to be honest with you. It's hard not to fall in love with them.
And we're happy to report that you'll never have to prune it. It develops slowly over time to achieve a flat-topped, rounded, compact globe. It looks wonderful, whether planted in the ground, or in outdoor containers.
The short, deep green needles are held densely. Your local songbirds love making their shelter in this small shrub. Keep some bird feeders nearby to further encourage them.
Use one as a specimen or try them in every planting bed to bring a uniform appeal throughout your landscape. We understand when you make a choice about an important structure plant, you want to go with high quality.
Our experts take enormous pride in these compact, charming Little Gems. Why not take full advantage of our lavish care and scrupulous attention to detail?
Size up to the biggest container size we have in stock. You'll be thrilled with the health and quality of these plants. Order yours today.
How to Use Little Gem Norway Spruce in the Landscape
Little Gem is a popular plant for conifer collectors and can be grown in containers with great success. Include several in small patio, balconies, and urban landscapes. Its slow growth guarantees years of enjoyment with minimal care. Give exterior containers a location with morning sun and afternoon shade, and water them more frequently.
After all, we know how important each plant will be over the life of your landscape. From foundation plantings to the forefront of a long mixed garden border, Little Gem Norway Spruce adds a tremendous amount of year-long interest.
This small shrub grows into a lovely mound of evergreen foliage that makes other plants shine. Little Gem looks really good in naturalized settings. Accent a Rock Garden with this small stunner. Use as a visual bridge in those often-forgotten spaces between larger conifers and evergreens.
It also fits beautifully in modern formal gardens and Asian landscape designs. Try flanking a pair on either side of your front entrance. Tuck it in the front of your foundation planting, or along the length of your mixed shrub border.
You really can't go wrong with this low-maintenance beauty. Enjoy the accolades!
#ProPlantTips for Care
While virtually maintenance-free, our Horticulture Team does have some good advice about the Little Gem Norway Spruce.
Plant the Little Gem in well-drained soil. They prefer slightly acidic soil with a pH of 5.8 to 6. Amend higher pH soils with 40% peat moss to help to adjust the pH. Use the Dr. Earth Acid Lovers Acid Fertilizer regularly to help keep your pH at a favorable level.
In most areas, the plant does well in a full-sun location. However, in hotter climates, we recommend giving them a location with morning sun and afternoon shade.
Little Gem plants benefit greatly from a mulch of 3 to 4 inches deep spread out 3 feet from the outside of the canopy. This keeps the root system cool and keeps surface moisture levels, even in the hottest part of the year.
Good drainage is key. While the plant is young, water regularly in the first few seasons. Then, back off and increase the time between watering. It's best to keep the soil on the dry side of moist, although in periods of extended drought, be sure to water deeply on occasion.
You'll be forgiven if you take Little Gem Norway Spruce for granted in your landscape. Its rugged good looks, compact size, and durability will still shine for you.
But really, it's cute enough to make it a showpiece specimen. Baby it a bit if you'd like and you'll be rewarded for many, many years. Order Little Gem Norway Spruce from Nature Hills today!