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Fat Albert Spruce vs Dragon Spruce
Picea pungens Fat Albert
Picea asperata
NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON
The Fat Albert Spruce is a cold-hardy evergreen variety with silvery-blue needles, and a large, tear-drop shape. It is deer resistant, and considered a good choice for xeriscaping projects as it is quite drought tolerant.
The Fat Albert Spruce is a Blue Spruce cultivar that was introduced in the late 1970’s by the Iseli Nursery and is named after the fictional character of the same name.
Dragon spruce is a unique looking spruce, as it is more shaggy and irregular than most spruces. They have sharp, stiff needles that are directed forward on the branch and their colour ranges from grey/green to blue/green.
They will grow in nutrient poor soils and can tolerate stronger winds, making them a good choice for providing shelter.
This species has been declining due to deforestation and related human activity in western China, its native range. It has notable genetic diversity for a spruce with a number of unusual growth habit variants. Given the cultural significance of the dragon, this tree should not be underestimated for its beauty or usefulness.