A few years back I mentioned my Christmas list for that year, on it were three exciting conifers. All three were forms of the Serbian Spruce, a tree once quite widespread throughout Europe. Now native stands of Picea omorika are limited to a mountainous region in western Serbia and eastern Bosnia. One of the cultivars I was hoping for, I found in my local independent garden center, one I was able to obtain some scion wood to graft my own new trees, and one remains on my wish list.
I grafted four specimens of Picea omorika ‘Kamenz’ back in 2011. I am growing one of those grafted plants in a container, two I planted in my garden and one I gave to a good friend. When young, ‘Kamenz’ is a low growing bun-shaped plant that begins to spread wider than tall, but in time, it looks like it may want to send a shoot or two in a more upward growing fashion. I suppose one might choose to allow their specimen to grow taller, but it is easy enough to prune out any upward growing shoots to encourage the low, spreading form.
Along with its great form, I love the silvery effect of the waxy coating which covers the undersides of the needles. Common to the species, ‘Kamenz’ has bi-colored needles with a glossy green top and the silvery-white underside. The natural angle of branching and the way the needles are held on each branch allow for a great view of the silvery color which make this stunning specimen literally shine in the garden.
As I mentioned, I am growing one of my own grafted plants in a container on my patio. For some reason, this particular graft is showing a tendency to grow with a single leader. I may give it a little encouragement with a plant stake and some pruning to see if I might be able to influence its form into more of a compact Christmas tree shape. If successful, I think it will make a delightful little holiday decoration for the front walkway someday.
Keep an eye out at your favorite independent garden center, I have a feeling this one is becoming more popular and it should become easier to find. Of course you could always ask your favorite IGC to make a special order for you!
Ed-
Conifer Lover
The Amazing World of Conifers 
this was very interesting…and it is a beautiful conifer….i was wondering if this is a mini and what its largest would be?…and the growth rate?…i have several of the mini’s and love them all…thank you….
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Hi M.C. – ‘Kamanz’ is a very beautiful dwarf conifer, although not a mini at all, the largest one I have seen is approaching five feet in diameter and maybe a little over one foot in height and I would guess it is around 15 to 17 years old. I would say it puts out about 2 to 4 inches of new growth per year over most of the plant, but some more vigorous shoots do appear and I have seen these up to about 6 inches long. As I mentioned, those shoots are easily removed to encourage the low form. All that being said, definitely not a mini, but for many people, I think it is worthy of consideration where space allows. I look forward to mine filling in space with its year-round color that was occupied by messy high maintenance perennials in the past.
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