I moved from BC to northern Alberta (definitely zone 2 climate) and into a brand new home. I am in the process of finishing the landscaping. The home came with a professionally designed landscaping plan. On the SE corning of the house (full sun all day), the landscape architect called for the use of a Picea pungens "Koster" to occupy a 10ft diameter area surrounded by a variety of shrubs. That corner is one of the lowest spots on the lots so much of the rain water from my house and my neighbour's house will drain into the area. Picea pungens "Glauca" is abundant in the area but I am afraid that it will outgrow the corner in no time. I have tried pretty much every local nurseries and cannot find a Koster anywhere. Pretty much the only way I can get a Koster here in Alberta is to pay an enormous shipping fee and get one shipped from Ontario or BC. I have been doing some research on finding an alternative to the Koster. I have a couple of ideas in mind but is wondering if others have any suggestions?
Hi TYW: < On the SE corning of the house (full sun all day), the landscape architect called for the use of a Picea pungens "Koster" to occupy a 10ft diameter area surrounded by a variety of shrubs. That corner is one of the lowest spots on the lots so much of the rain water from my house and my neighbour's house will drain into the area. > Aside from my being painfully honest in these forms, no one respects the fact that I may know some of these trees better than they do. I have a real problem with your landscape architect. Putting that Spruce in a low wet spot in my mind is a guaranteed way to ensure you will kill it. Blue Spruce have to be somewhat mounded high as root rot is a major problem for these trees. Colorado Blue Spruce do not like their roots being wet for any real length of time. A moist, fast draining soil is one thing but a sustained during Winter, wet soil is quite another. Unless you can mound up the site for a Spruce at that particular spot, I cannot in good conscience recommend you planting one there. I have done some checking a few days ago and yes, you are indeed up against it trying to find a 'Koster' near you. I suppose I could have asked one of my very best and oldest online friends whom lives in Ohaton, near Camrose, what his wife thinks may be a good nursery to buy from but I did not find many sources at all near you. There are some sources in British Columbia you may want to check out but you risk buying the tree sight unseen which is another thing I cannot recommend either. I would do some checking around Calgary, even if it means the possibility of a 4 hour, one way drive for you just to look at possible trees for that location. Aside from Koster, look for a Bakeri, the true from of Glauca, Fat Albert, Hoopsi, Iseli Fastigiata or Iseli Foxtail as alternatives. The 10' spread to me is not an issue as it will take your Spruce several years to get that wide, depending on how large the tree is when you plant it. Here is a URL that can give you some ideas as far as Spruce to grow instead of Koster. Notice none of them are planted in a low wet spot. http://www.coenosium.com/text399/arnoldar.htm Jim
For a potential; source of trees and shrubs somewhat nearer than BC try here: http://www.albertatreemovers.com/ I have met some of the staff at certification meetings and other fun industry events, they seem competent and reliable.
Thanks for the reponses. The SE corner, despite being the lowest point on my property, is well above the surrounding areas because I do live near the top of a hill. Water from my property and a neighbouring property should drain into that corner then onto the street and down the hill. I hope it is okay to put a spruce there. I have looked at the various variety available locally (not wanting to pay an outrageous amount to ship one from BC). The Hoopsii looks good. Nice colour, good shape for that corner with surrounding shrubs and smaller trees. Given that I live in a suburb of Edmonton, definitely zone 2 climate, I am assuming that the Hoopsii won't reach its potential size of 60ft. tall /20 ft. wide. I am thinking that it will max out at about 10-15ft. wide and 30ft. tall. Am I right to think that?
Hi TYW: < Given that I live in a suburb of Edmonton, definitely zone 2 climate, I am assuming that the Hoopsi won't reach its potential size of 60ft. tall /20 ft. wide. I am thinking that it will max out at about 10-15ft. wide and 30ft. tall. Am I right to think that? > Grown in full sun Hoopsi will grow more angular (taller and narrower) as opposed to shorter and wider grown in lots of shade. As long as you make sure to make a mound for this Spruce and you have no standing water for any length of time then you should be okay with a Spruce in that location. What a few homeowners do here is after the Spruce gets to about 8' in height they will start to trim the lowest branches to let in some light and then plant some shade loving annuals for color underneath the tree. We can get away with doing that easier than you can as you have to be more concerned about your care of the pruning than we have to. You may want to talk to Paul about pruning or perhaps shearing your Spruce but for a number of years you should not have to do any real pruning to your tree. The spread should not be a problem for you grown in lots of sun. As far as you seeing this tree at 60' that will take about 30-40 or more years in optimal growing areas but in your location with your growing season I do not expect this tree to get too much over 40' tall and 15' wide in the next 25-30 years or so. Hoopsi has a slightly thicker needle than Koster but is a little brighter colored blue than Koster is. Both Spruce have about the same growing habit. Jim
Colorado spruce grows on flats near rivers in the wild, maybe that's why the designer thought it would be suitable for a damp spot. Whether a plant will take a specific site always boils down to the specifics involved, such as just how damp it is, probably what water molds may be present, and so on.
