Serbian spruce (Picea omorika)

Discovered in 1875 by Pancie in the Drina valley in Serbia, it is a rustic spruce in France. Interesting for its white leaves underneath, and its young hanging branches, which make it very ornamental. It has been shown to be superior to Picea abies in a semi-continental or pre-Alpine climate, in trials of exotic species for high altitude reforestation, conducted by the CEMAGREF of Saint-Martin-d'Hères. Narrow pyramidal habit, with short branches. Needles: dark green, shiny above, blue white below. Grows on any prepared soil that does not retain water.