Hudson White Spruce

Picea glauca ‘Hudsonii‘

Other Names: Hudson Alberta Spruce

Plant Details

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 2a-7b Find Your Zone

Plant Type: Coniferous Evergreen Tree

Height at Maturity: 12-18′; 8-9′ at 10 years of age

Width at Maturity: 6-8′; 3-4′ in 10 years

Spacing: Best as a specimen

Growth Habit / Form: Upright Pyramid

Growth Rate: Slow to Moderate; 18-12 inches per year

Foliage Color: Greyish Blue-Green

Fragrant Foliage: Yes

Sun Needs: Full Sun or Part Shade

Water Needs: Average, low when established

Soil Type: Clay (amend heavy clay to ensure good drainage, Loam, Sand, Silt

Soil Drainage: Moist But Well Drained – does not tolerate standing water or constantly wet soil

Soil pH: 6.0 – 7.5

Maintenance / Care: Very Low

Attracts: Visual Attention

Resistances: Cold (-50F), Deer, Disease, Drought (when established), Insect

Description

An extremely rare selection of the White Spruce, Picea glauca ‘Hudsonii’ is a stunning selection sporting highly attractive, greyish blue-green foliage. In spring, abundant and very showy pinkish-red cones stand out beautifully against the short blue needles. Forming a somewhat loose pyramid to a height of 15 feet or so and width at the base of 6 to 8 feet when all grown up, this architectural beauty makes for a distinctive and outstanding specimen that provides unique color and texture in small to mid-size spaces, rock gardens and home foundation plantings.

Landscape & Garden Uses

Growing to around 15 feet tall and maybe half as wide, the Hudson White Spruce is ideal for use as a focal point specimen. A fine evergreen accent tree in home foundation plantings, conifer gardens and rock gardens.

NOTE: Some sources say this species will handle the heat. It has performed well at our nursery farm in Zone 7 of North Carolina, but we’ve yet to try it in our Georgia gardens Zone 8a. Therefore, we cannot confidently suggest it to folks in Zone 8. If you’re in Zone 8a and want to try it, provide some shade or filtered sun during the hot midafternoon hours.

Suggested Spacing: Use as a focal point specimen

Growing Preferences

The Hudson White Spruce is easy to grow in a moist but well-drained soil of average fertility. As with so many other conifers, constantly soggy or wet soils can be problematic; leading to root rot or other harmful plant diseases. So make sure to plant this one in well-drained soil, whether in the ground or in pots. In pots, soil moisture will need to be monitored more closely, especially during summer. When the top two inches of soil is dry, provide water.

Note: Find helpful advice from our experts under the Planting & Care tab above on desktop monitors or below on mobile devices.

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My latest purchase was a white spruce. Everything I have bought from these guys has been great. The thing that I have noticed and what I find a real value is that none of the trees I’ve purchased were root bound in the pot which means they are taking extra care of these trees. I did not need to soak the root ball for hours and try to break it up or have to cut roots. The tree will not have as much transplant shock. You can’t say that for many other online or local vendors. I will be buying as much as I can from these guys.———————————————–Awesome! Thanks for the kind words and wonderful review! We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG