Picea mariana

Common Names

Black Spruce, Bog Spruce, Swamp Spruce, Épinette Noire

Summary

Black Spruce is a boreal North American evergreen conifer with a narrow conical to spire-like crown and a slow-growing, upright habit. It bears four-sided, stiff bluish-green needles and small purple cones that mature to brown and persist on the tree for years, contributing to a dense winter silhouette; shallow roots and preference for moist, acidic soils reflect its boggy, muskeg habitat across northern regions.

For cultivation, it tolerates full sun to partial shade and moist, acidic soils with good drainage; hardy in USDA zones 2–6; wind-tolerant yet susceptible to windthrow due to shallow roots; maintenance is low with minimal pruning; landscape uses include specimen, screen, or naturalized plantings in cold northern climates; cultivars such as Nana and Aureovariegata provide ornamental interest, and seeds are wind-dispersed with cones persisting on the tree.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

30-50 ft

Spread

20-30 ft

Hardiness Zones

Zones 2-6

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full sun to partial shade.

Soil Type

Moist, acidic peat soils.

Soil Drainage

Wet, poorly drained soils

Soil pH

4.0-6.0, Acidic soils (low pH)

Bloom Color

Purple

Bloom Time

Spring

Foliage Color

Blue-green

Fall Foliage Color

Green

Leaf Lifecycle

Evergreen needle

Growth Rate

Slow

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Layering, Cuttings

Attracts Wildlife

Birds: Yes, Bees: Yes, Butterflies: Yes, Other pollinators: Yes