White Spruce Varieties: Alberta, Black Hills & Canadian Spruce

• 
• 
• 
• 

• Family:	Pinaceae (py-NAY-see-ee) (Info)
  Genus:	Picea (PY-see-uh) (Info)
  Species:	glauca (GLAW-kuh) (Info)
  Synonym:	Picea glauca var. densata
  Synonym:	Picea glauca var. albertiana
  Synonym:	Picea glauca var. porsildii
  Synonym:	Pinus glauca
  Synonym:	Picea canadensis

Overview

The White Spruce (Picea glauca) is a supremely cold-hardy, transcontinental conifer native across the boreal forests of Canada and the northern U.S. The entry encompasses several distinct geographic varieties/cultivars: **'Alberta Spruce' (var. albertiana / 'Conica' - Dwarf Alberta Spruce)**, **'Black Hills Spruce' (var. densata)**, and the typical **'Canadian Spruce' / 'White Spruce'**. All share the species' hallmark: dense, pyramidal habit, short blue-green needles, and extreme cold tolerance (USDA Zones 2–6).

Key Varieties

Dwarf Alberta Spruce ('Conica')

The most famous: a **dense, perfect, slow-growing cone** (2–4 inches/year), 6–10 feet tall, with tiny, soft, bright green needles. Ideal for formal gardens, containers, topiary, and holiday decor. Prone to spider mites in hot, dry sites.

Black Hills Spruce (var. densata)

A **compact, dense, slow-growing pyramidal tree** (20–40 ft), with shorter, bluer needles and better drought/heat tolerance than the species. Excellent for windbreaks, screens, and specimen in the Plains and Midwest. The state tree of South Dakota.

White Spruce / Canadian Spruce (typical)

The forest form: **fast-growing (12–24 in/yr), narrow pyramid**, 40–60+ ft, with bluish-green needles. Major pulpwood and lumber species. Pioneer on disturbed sites.

Culture & Uses

All prefer **full sun, moist, well-drained, acidic soil** but tolerate a range. **Intolerant of heat, humidity, drought, and pollution** (except Black Hills var.). Major pests: spruce budworm, spider mites, gall adelgids. The varieties offer a spruce for every northern need: dwarf accent, tough Plains windbreak, or boreal forest restoration.