PICEA OMORIKA 'ELISABETH' AND 'GUNTER'

These two cultivars of Serbian spruce are named for two very special people.

Gunter Horstmann and his wife, Elisabeth, developed a conifer nursery in Schneverdingen, Germany and introduced many popular conifers into the nursery trade.

Gunter was very successful at locating and propagating witches' brooms and unique seedlings from many parts of the world. These two are the only ones named for him and his wife. Gunter passed away a number of years ago but their son, Uwe, and his wife, Sonja, continue operating the nursery and making many more new discoveries available to their customers and friends.

Picea omorika 'Gunter' was originally just called 'Hexenbesen'. Its uniqueness required more than just an indication that it was developed from a witches' broom. Picea omorika 'Gunter' develops a globose shape with some apicality, but not enough to make it conical. It grows about 50% faster than the similar 'Pimoko'. The needles are more evenly spread around each shoot, whereas on 'Pimoko' they appear more two dimensional.

Picea omorika 'Gunter' (15 years old) and its foliage.

Picea omorika 'Pimoko' (15 years old) and its foliage.

Picea omorika 'Elisabeth' was formerly known as 'Hexenbesen #3', an evaluative name. It is very distinctive and a perfect alternative to Picea omorika 'Nana' for those with limited space desiring a more upright Serbian spruce. Picea omorika 'Elisabeth' develops into a dwarf, narrowly conical bush that after many years becomes a small tree. It grows about 1/4 the rate of Picea omorika 'Nana' and about 25% faster than 'Gunter'.

 Picea omorika 'Elisabeth' (15 years old) and its foliage.