Though your Dwarf Alberta Spruce arrives ready to grow in a holiday container, it can be ground planted. It’s cold hardy down to growing zone 2 and features no-nonsense care that makes it a season-to-season star.

Plus, since it grows just 2 to 4 inches each year, it’s easy to acclimate to your garden, patio and beyond. And unlike its larger cousins, the Dwarf Alberta Spruce rarely produces pine cones, featuring a tight, densely-packed silhouette that fits nicely in compact spaces.

Planting
First, select a site with well-drained soil – the Dwarf Alberta Spruce tolerates a wide range of soil types, as long as they have good drainage. Also, ensure you plant your tree a few feet away from any nearby structures to ensure good air circulation.

Next, dig each hole shallower than the root ball and at least twice its width, loosening the soil throughout so that the Dwarf Alberta Spruce’s roots can break through easily.

Before placing the plant, separate the roots of your Dwarf Alberta Spruce gently with your fingers and position them downward in the hole – the top of the root flare (where the roots end and the trunk begins) should be approximately 1 inch above the surrounding soil.

After ensuring that the plant is exactly vertical in the hole, using a level if needed, backfill the hole while applying water to remove any air pockets. Finally, remove any debris in the area and break up all dirt clumps completely. Once transplanted, your Dwarf Alberta Spruce should be watered.

Watering and Fertilizer
Water regularly and deeply, weekly or more often in extreme heat, during the Spruce’s first full growing season – this will ensure that it establishes a thorough, extensive root system. The watering schedule will be the same for both container planting and ground planting.

And for faster, fuller growth, you may also fertilize your tree before new growth begins during spring.

Pruning
Because the Dwarf Alberta Spruce is slow-growing, it can often grow into its natural, columnar shape without pruning. However, if you’re looking for a neater, more precise silhouette, you should prune your tree lightly during winter.