Picea abies ‘Rydal’ (Norway Spruce)

Small, upright and bushy. So far, pretty standard. But just you wait...flaming pinky crimson puffs of needles will fire from every tip of this little Christmas tree in spring. For a few weeks each year, this tree is a proper show stopper, almost riotously enthusiastic and pinkly generous in a most unconiferous way.

Once this new growth has matured to a competently spruce like green, what remains is a conical shape that is small, upright and bushy but still very charming. ‘Rydal’ may grow to 2metres in 20 years so it’s not going to run off and cause bother, either.

There’s a kind of marine worm (go with us) which inhabits sun flooded parts of tropical parts and from burrows in coral extends colourful, gracefully foppish and feathery limbs to dangle in the sway of the sea. They’re even called ‘Christmas tree worms’ (stay with us) The appearance of the newest shoots on this tree remind us of the delightful explosion of all their beautifully blushing little arms when the currents change: the new shoots of ‘Rydal’ will tremble and sway as if caught in a tropic swell and their emergence each year will surprise you, we guarantee it.

No plankton required, but does enjoy full sun to light shade, and is happy in most soils that are well drained and acidic. Can be pruned lightly to maintain shape but do wait until after new shoots have faded. Ultimate height 5metres after many more years than 20.

N.B. When clipping several plants with the same tool, have a bucket containing a 5% bleach solution and swish your blades around for 30 seconds between plants to sterilise them. This will help avoid the chance of cross contamination of disease.

As with all woody plants, plant high, exposing as much of the taper at the base of the trunk as possible. Allowing soil to accumulate round the base of a tree can be fatal. Keep very well-watered when first planted.