A dwarf spruce with ultra-dark needles and a dense, compact form that brings bold evergreen depth year-round
FEATURES:
- Dwarf, compact habit with a tight, naturally tidy evergreen shape
- Very dark green needles for a bold, saturated look that reads almost black-green
- Dense branching that creates a thick, plush evergreen presence
- Fine-textured foliage typical of oriental spruce for a refined look up close
- Naturally rounded to low-pyramidal form depending on age and growth
- Strong winter interest with deep color and compact conifer structure
- Hand Selected; Fresh from the Grower
- Ships on our trucks because the size of the tree - does not fit in a box.
Bower & Branch Landscape Design Tip:
Deep evergreen color is a shortcut to contrast. If you want a planting bed to look more layered without adding more plants, add one very dark evergreen. Everything nearby instantly looks brighter and more intentional.
Growth Facts
- Hardiness Zone: 4-7
- Mature Height: 3-5' tall
- Mature Width: 4-6' wide
- Exposure: Full Sun/Part Shade
- Spacing: 4-6' apart
Dwarf Oriental Spruce
Bower & Branch Trees and Plants
Picea orientalis 'Nigra'
Regular price| Quantity | Automatic Savings |
|---|---|
| Buy 2 | Save $200 |
| Buy 3 | Save $500 |
| Buy 4 | Save $800 |
| Buy 6 | Save $1800 |
| Buy 10 or more | Save $4000 |
Plant with Confidence when choosing Big & Tall Trees and Hedges!
A dwarf spruce with ultra-dark needles and a dense, compact form that brings bold evergreen depth year-round
FEATURES:
- Dwarf, compact habit with a tight, naturally tidy evergreen shape
- Very dark green needles for a bold, saturated look that reads almost black-green
- Dense branching that creates a thick, plush evergreen presence
- Fine-textured foliage typical of oriental spruce for a refined look up close
- Naturally rounded to low-pyramidal form depending on age and growth
- Strong winter interest with deep color and compact conifer structure
- Hand Selected; Fresh from the Grower
- Ships on our trucks because the size of the tree - does not fit in a box.
Bower & Branch Landscape Design Tip:
Deep evergreen color is a shortcut to contrast. If you want a planting bed to look more layered without adding more plants, add one very dark evergreen. Everything nearby instantly looks brighter and more intentional.
Growth Facts
- Hardiness Zone: 4-7
- Mature Height: 3-5' tall
- Mature Width: 4-6' wide
- Exposure: Full Sun/Part Shade
- Spacing: 4-6' apart
Why plant Dwarf Oriental Spruce?
Dwarf Oriental Spruce is all about rich, dark evergreen depth in a smaller footprint. The needles are notably deep green, giving it a saturated, almost black-green tone that makes lighter foliage and flowering plants look brighter by contrast. And because oriental spruce has finer needles and dense branching, the texture feels plush and refined, not coarse or poky.
It’s the kind of evergreen that keeps a landscape looking grounded and intentional year-round, and in winter, that dark color becomes the anchor when everything else fades into browns and grays.
How to use Dwarf Oriental Spruce in the landscape?
Use it as an evergreen anchor in mixed beds where you want deep color and dense texture, or incorporate it into a grouping of conifers to add contrast against lighter greens and blue-toned evergreens. It pairs especially well with plants that have chartreuse, gold, or variegated foliage, because the dark needles make those colors pop. Keep surrounding plantings simple so the compact form reads clean, and give it room to mature into its naturally dense shape.
Frequently Asked Questions
This spruce does not produce showy blooms. It may form small cones as it matures, but it’s grown for its dense evergreen needles and compact, dark-foliaged form.
Yes. ‘Nigra’ is selected for very deep green needles that can read almost black-green in the landscape, especially when planted near lighter foliage for contrast.
Pruning is usually minimal. Remove dead or damaged branches as needed, and avoid heavy shearing so the natural dense branching and compact form remain healthy and attractive.
