Paul's Select Norway Spruce

Paul's Select Norway Spruce (Picea abies 'Paul's Select')

Paul's Select Norway Spruce (Picea abies 'Paul's Select') is a dense, upright evergreen conifer valued for its consistent form, blue-green foliage, and formal presence in the landscape. Selected for its symmetrical branching and improved color over the species, this cultivar brings refined structure and lasting interest to foundation plantings, mixed borders, and focal point displays.

Distinctive Features

'Paul's Select' develops a uniform pyramidal shape with slightly ascending branches covered in stiff, blue-green needles. Its clean lines and balanced habit make it an excellent alternative to other formal evergreens, offering a cooler-toned foliage that stands out in both sun and partial shade. The needles hold their color well throughout the year, even in colder climates, and the plant maintains a dense, well-branched profile with minimal intervention.

Growing Conditions

• Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil: Well-drained soils with slightly acidic to neutral pH; tolerates sandy, loamy, and rocky textures
• Water: Moderate; regular moisture recommended during establishment
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 7

Ideal Uses

• Focal Point: Strong symmetry and evergreen color create a commanding presence
• Foundation Planting: Structured form complements architecture and entryways
• Mixed Evergreen Borders: Blends well with other conifers and broadleaf evergreens
• Privacy Screening: Tightly branched habit offers year-round coverage
• Formal Gardens: Clean lines support traditional or symmetrical designs

Low Maintenance Care

• Watering: Keep evenly moist while establishing; becomes more drought tolerant with age
• Pruning: Rarely needed; naturally forms a tidy, pyramidal shape
• Fertilizing: Apply a balanced slow-release fertilizer in spring
• Mulching: Helps conserve moisture and protect roots in extreme temperatures
• Disease Resistance: Hardy and resilient when grown in well-drained soils

Why Choose Paul's Select Norway Spruce?

• Refined Shape: Uniform pyramidal form provides architectural balance
• Blue-Green Foliage: Cooler-toned needles add seasonal contrast
• Cold Hardy: Reliable performance in northern climates
• Low Maintenance: Naturally tidy with minimal pruning required
• Focal Point: Strong form and color make it a standout feature in structured landscapes

Picea abies 'Paul's Select' offers a clean, formal aesthetic and durable evergreen performance, making it a reliable choice for gardeners seeking year-round structure, color, and symmetry in a manageable conifer form.