This coniferous tree has a dark grey trunk with scaly bark and spreading branches that form a compact pyramidal crown. It has glossy mid-green needle-like leaves and produces flowers during mid-spring followed by purplish brown cones.

Hardiness zones 5 to 9 

Picea purpurea is naturally found in north-west China growing in mountain forests on north-facing slopes at an altitude of 2600 m to 3800 m (11,500 ft). 

It prefers an open sunny position and grows in well-drained moderately fertile deep sandy soils with a pH 5.6-7.5 and is frost tolerant but drought tender. 

The Purple-cone Spruce is grown for its habit and colourful cones. It is planted in parks and large gardens as a lawn specimen tree or used in woodland settings.  It is suitable for cool mountain regions and establishes in 4-6 years and attains a height of 1.5 m (5 ft) in 10 years. In its native region it is harvested for its high-quality timber that is used in furniture manufacturing or construction. ID 3589

Picea (pi-SEE-ah) purpurea (per-POO-ree-ah)

Pinaceae (py-NAY-see-ee)
Larches, spruces, pines, firs, hemlocks and cedars