The Fragrant Evergreen You Can Grow In A Container For Fresh Winter Scent

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Step aside, pumpkin spice — it's time for a fresh winter scent. As fall foliage fades away and bare deciduous trees stand silent and skeletal, evergreen trees step into the spotlight in the garden. From fragrant Christmas-like trees with a clean, woodsy aroma to sculptural conifer shrubs, evergreens of all kinds fill the air with a delightful fragrance. This scent comes from naturally occurring compounds called terpenes. At this time of year, they take center stage in our gardens and inside our homes as festive décor. One easy way to enjoy this scent throughout the winter is to grow a spruce tree in a container on your porch or patio.

Spruce trees (Picea spp.) are fragrant trees that will make your yard smell better than ever. They can be grown in containers much like other evergreens, such as junipers (Juniperus spp.) and arborvitae (Thuja spp.). There are 33 species of spruce, and many are cool-climate trees (Zones 2 to 8). However, some species grow very tall and are not suitable for long-term container gardening. For example, the large Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis) can reach heights of 230 feet, while a Norway spruce (Picea abies) can grow to about 60 feet. To meet the demand for container-grown trees, growers have bred small-statured cultivars — typically featuring dwarf in their common name — that grow only a few inches a year and max out at a dozen or so feet tall. These spruces are far more suitable for patio planters.

While their piney fragrance is reason enough to grow one on your deck in winter, spruce trees appeal to more than just our sense of smell. Thoughtfully arranged evergreens add visual interest and a classic elegance to landscaping throughout the year. Planter spruces are a joy to decorate for the festive season — think pumpkins, fairy lights, and star tree toppers. You can get even more mileage from them when you pair them with annuals or perennials that have vibrant flowers or contrasting foliage. The spruce becomes the tall, structural thriller to your spillers and fillers. With a large pot and proper care, you can enjoy your container evergreen for years to come.

Now that you know there is such a thing as container gardening for trees, you might be tempted to pot up a spruce right away. The key is choosing the right species or cultivar. Look for trees that grow just a few feet tall, then narrow your preferences from there based on looks. You might want to grow a spruce for its distinct feathery needles or a conical growth habit. Try dwarf Alberta spruce (Picea laxa 'Conica'), which is sold at big box retailers year-round and in December as a live Christmas tree. Online, a fully rooted live Green Promise Farms Store Dwarf Alberta Spruce in a #2 size container costs about $60. A slow-growing dwarf spruce (Picea pungens 'Compacta') would be a good choice, too. They max out at heights of 10 and 5 feet, respectively. Other small cultivars have attractive blue-green foliage, like the dwarf blue Norway spruce (Picea abies 'Pumila Glauca').

Before you plant a new spruce tree in a container, check the size of the root ball. You need to choose a container that can accommodate it comfortably, and also has lots of drainage holes. Check, too, for problems that could cause long-term issues, like circling and girdling. If present, use a saw or gardening knife to shave 1 to 1½ inches from all the roots, creating a box shape. This ensures a healthy root system — encircled roots won't fix themselves — and helps control the plant's size, especially for dwarf trees. Over the years, your spruce tree will require minimal pruning but may need a bigger pot from time to time. Each time you give it a container upgrade, prune the roots.

Choosing the right soil for your container-grown spruce is also critical. Standard garden soil can get compacted or too wet in a planter, so it's best avoided. If the container is heavy, you can fill it entirely with a soil-less potting mix, like Esbenshade's Professional Lightweight Potting Mix. Otherwise, fill part of the container with heavy stones before planting your tree and filling the container with the mix. Feed your potted dwarf spruce in early spring and late summer with a high-magnesium granular fertilizer. As long as you are careful to keep your container spruce well watered and protected from the elements as needed, it can become one of the best winter plants to decorate your patio with.