Trees

Picea alcoquiana 'Howell's Dwarf'

Howell's Dwarf tigertail spruce

Howell's Dwarf tigertail spruce. Photo: Photo by David J. Stang / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Howell's Dwarf offers an intricate mix of green needle surfaces, silvery-blue undersides and occasional yellowish highlights in exposed growth. Young plants form a broad, flattened mound, but upward shoots can eventually create a pyramidal tree. Retaining the low outline requires removing those stronger vertical shoots, making its habit partly a matter of maintenance.

At a glance

Sun: Full sun
Size: Height: 6 ft, supplier garden size, not ultimate size · Width: 12 ft, supplier garden size
Water: Keep soil evenly moist, especially while establishing; use deep, rich soil with good drainage.
Hardiness: USDA zone 5 minimum

Sizes & prices

#5$169.99

Catalog updated September 8, 2026. This is not a live stock count; please call to confirm availability and price.

Ask about this plant

Select a section to expand.

Landscape use & tree form

Form: Spreading and flat-topped when young; later pyramidal
Growth rate: 6–10 inches/year (grower estimate)
Use: Spreading evergreen accent; allow width for its low branches.

Resistance & tolerances

Deer: Spruces are generally less favored by deer; young plants can still need protection.
Drought: Maintain adequate moisture; one grower describes low water needs after establishment, but do not treat it as a dry-site spruce.
Wet soil: Provide drainage rather than prolonged standing water.

Resistance is not a guarantee; deer and rabbits may browse any plant.

Seasonal interest

Foliage: Evergreen; green above and silver-blue beneath
Cones: Showy reddish-purple young cones.

Growing & care

Pruning: Remove upward shoots if maintaining a flat, spreading outline. Preserve the leader and natural branching. If shortening is necessary, cut younger portions of branches in early spring; avoid bare old wood.
Soil: Deep, rich, moist, well-drained soil.
Site: Shelter from drying winter winds.

Sources & photo credits

Iseli Nursery

NVK Nurseries

www.udel.edu

Missouri Botanical Garden

dawesarb.arboretumexplorer.org

Wilson Bros Gardens

Photo: Photo by David J. Stang / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; resized for web. · CC BY-SA 4.0

Image notes: Howell's Dwarf tigertail spruce. Photo: Photo by David J. Stang / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; resized for web.

Reviewed September 22, 2026. Growing conditions vary by location.