Free Shipping When You Spend $50 or More

How to Grow Picea

'Pine' is a broad name given to some plants from the Pinaceae family. Known colloquially as conifers, or just Pines in Australia, they are known as Spruce trees in their native Northern Hemisphere. In Australia, varieties are grown mainly for ornamental uses and timber production. One exception is the Pinus pinea, or Stone Pine, grown for its delicious and valuable cones that contain edible nuts. Not a commercially viable crop in Australia (you will have to fend off the cockatoos!). China produces vast portions of the world's supply. Other pine varieties are a valued source of timber. This is an industry that Australia has embraced. Most varieties turn into large and long lived trees used more as specimen plantings in large parks or gardens. They will tolerate very cold winters and warm summers.

Prefer full sun, in cold to temperate climates. Tolerant of frost and snow.

Water weekly to establish. Relatively dry tolerant, once established in ground.

Tolerant of most soil types, as long as well drained.

Plant usually during spring, but available most of the year as potted specimens in Australia. Actively growing during the warmer months.

How to grow picea in a garden

Step 1

Choose a sunny spot with well-drained soil. Enrich the soil with Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser. If the soil is heavy or clay based, add gypsum and fork in well. Remember, most pines will become quite large and are ideal as specimen trees in large gardens or parklands.

Step 2

Dig the planting hole twice as wide and to the same depth as the root-ball. Remove the shrub from the container, gently tease the roots and cut away any circled or tangled roots.

Step 3

Position in hole and backfill with soil, gently firming down.

Step 4

Form a raised or doughnut shaped ring of soil around the outer edge of the plant's root zone. This helps keep water where it's needed. Always water in well after planting to settle the soil around the roots and keep the soil moist for several weeks while the new plant establishes.