Bruns Weeping Serbian Spruce

Bruns Weeping Serbian Spruce (Picea omorika 'Pendula Bruns')

Bruns Weeping Serbian Spruce is a dramatic, narrow evergreen that adds vertical structure without taking up valuable width. Its cascading branches create a sculptural look that reads as intentional in every season, especially in winter. The two-toned needles bring cool, refined color that pairs well with stone, brick, and deep green shrubs. Plant it where you want an architectural accent that stays space-smart and low-fuss once established.

Distinctive Features

This Serbian spruce selection forms a very narrow, columnar silhouette with strictly weeping branches that drape downward and hug the trunk. Needles are dark green on top with silvery undersides, giving the plant a subtle two-tone effect that becomes more noticeable with movement and light. The leader often grows upright on its own, but staking can be used to set a straighter line and a taller final profile. In about 10 years it commonly reaches about 6 to 8 feet tall and about 2 feet wide, with mature plants often reaching about 15 to 20 feet tall and 2 to 4 feet wide over time.

Growing Conditions

• Sun: Full sun is best for density and the cleanest, narrow outline.
• Soil: Moist, well-drained soil is ideal, and slightly acidic to neutral conditions are a good fit.
• Water: Keep evenly moist during establishment, then water deeply during extended dry periods.
• USDA Zones: Zones 4 to 7.
• Mature Size: Commonly about 15 to 20 feet tall and 2 to 4 feet wide over time.
• Habit: Very narrow, upright evergreen with strictly weeping branches that cling close to the trunk.

Ideal Uses

• Focal Point: Use as a spire-like focal point near an entry, patio, or prominent bed corner where its cascading form can be appreciated year-round.
• Vertical Accent: Add height and definition in tight beds without the bulk of a broad evergreen.
• Specimen Tree: Plant as a living sculpture in a lawn island, courtyard bed, or conifer collection.
• Narrow Spaces: Fit between walks, drives, and foundation corners where width is limited but structure is needed.
• Evergreen Contrast: Pair with mounding shrubs and ornamental grasses to highlight the narrow, weeping silhouette.

Low Maintenance Care

• Watering: Water deeply through the first growing season and continue supplemental watering during prolonged drought.
• Mulching: Apply mulch over the root zone to conserve moisture and moderate soil temperature, keeping mulch off the trunk.
• Training: Stake the leader when young if you want a straighter, taller form, and adjust supports as the tree grows.
• Pruning: Prune only to remove dead or damaged branches, and avoid heavy shaping that disrupts the natural drape.
• Fertilizing: Feed lightly in early spring only if needed, using a slow-release fertilizer for evergreens.
• Monitoring: Watch for spider mites during hot, dry weather and address early if needles begin to dull or stipple.

Why Choose Bruns Weeping Serbian Spruce?

• Narrow Footprint: A tight silhouette delivers height and presence without crowding smaller landscapes.
• Weeping Character: Cascading branches create movement and an architectural form that stands out in every season.
• Two-Tone Needles: Dark green tops and silvery undersides add depth and refined contrast.
• Trainable Outline: Simple staking lets you guide the leader and set the final look to match your design.
• Four-Season Structure: Evergreen form keeps beds and sightlines looking intentional through winter.

If you want a distinctive evergreen that acts like a vertical design element, Bruns Weeping Serbian Spruce is an excellent choice. Give it full sun, reliable drainage, and steady moisture while it establishes, then let the natural drape define the space. Over time it becomes a long-lived accent that delivers structure, texture, and winter presence in one narrow package.