Picea abies 'The Limey' - The Limey Norway Spruce

An attractive form of this popular spruce featuring bright lemon yellow emerging foliage; in summer, the undersides and shaded interior foliage turns lime green; a fine color accent tree that creates a striking contrast in the landscape

Height: 20 feet. Spread: 12 feet. Sun: full sun. Hardiness zone: 3b.

Ornamental features

The Limey Norway Spruce is primarily valued in the landscape for its distinctively pyramidal habit of growth. It has attractive yellow foliage with lime green undersides which emerges lemon yellow in spring. The small needles are highly ornamental and remain yellow throughout the winter.

Landscape

The Limey Norway Spruce is a dense evergreen tree with a strong central leader and a distinctive and refined pyramidal form. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by a couple of finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.

This is a relatively low maintenance tree. When pruning is necessary, it is recommended to only trim back the new growth of the current season, other than to remove any dieback. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Recommended for: Accent, Vertical Accent, Hedges/Screening.

Planting and growing

The Limey Norway Spruce will grow to be about 20 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 12 feet. It has a low canopy, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 50 years or more.

This tree should only be grown in full sunlight. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It is not particular as to soil type or pH, and is able to handle environmental salt. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America.

Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder.