{"product_id":"howells-dwarf-tigertail-spruce","title":"Howell's Dwarf Tigertail Spruce","description":"\u003ch1\u003eA Distinctive Dwarf with Two-Tone Tiger-Tail Needles\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHowell's Dwarf Tigertail Spruce (\u003cem\u003ePicea bicolor\u003c\/em\u003e 'Howell's Dwarf') is an unusual, eye-catching dwarf whose needles show green tops and silvery-white undersides, curving up around the stems for a striking tiger-tail look. Slow and irregular, it is offered as both a low spreading form and an upright standard, reaching roughly 3-5 feet. A real collector's specimen.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHowell's Dwarf Tigertail Spruce Plant Details\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eAttribute\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDetail\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cem\u003ePicea bicolor\u003c\/em\u003e 'Howell's Dwarf'\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Names\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHowell's Dwarf Tigertail Spruce\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature Height\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3-5 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature Width\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3-5 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGrowth Rate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSlow - 3-6 inches per year\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSun\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFull sun (6+ hours)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate; water deeply through the first two seasons.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUSDA Zones\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4-7 (Twin Cities is zone 4b-5a)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoil\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAdaptable; tolerates Minnesota clay-loam.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFoliage\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEvergreen - two-tone needles, green above and silvery-white beneath\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWinter Hardiness\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHardy through zone 4.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDeer Resistance\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGood - deer rarely browse spruce; the stiff needles deter them.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNative Status\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot native; a dwarf selection of Alcock (tigertail) spruce\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHowell's Dwarf Tigertail Spruce Uses in Minnesota Landscapes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSpecimen Dwarf\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts two-tone tiger-tail foliage makes a standout focal point in featured beds and rock gardens.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSpreading or Upright Accent\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChoose the spreading form for low texture or the standard for an upright accent.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBest Time to Plant Howell's Dwarf Tigertail Spruce in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSpring through early fall all work, but late August through mid-September is ideal, giving roots time to settle before the ground freezes. Water deeply once a week the first season and mulch to hold moisture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHowell's Dwarf Tigertail Spruce Uses in Minnesota Landscapes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDwarf specimen and conifer collections\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis slow, rounded dwarf tops out around 3–5 feet, making it a jewel for a mixed conifer bed or a special spot near a patio in Edina, Plymouth, or Minneapolis. The two-tone needles flash silvery-white underneath whenever a breeze stirs them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eRock gardens and small beds\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts compact size and tidy habit suit rock gardens, small foundation beds, and the front of a border, where it adds evergreen structure without crowding its neighbors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eLow-maintenance foundation accent\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlant Howell's Dwarf near an entry or along a walk for year-round interest at eye level. It needs no shearing — its naturally neat form holds on its own.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFour-season winter interest\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe distinctive two-tone foliage holds its show through five months of Minnesota winter, catching light and adding fine texture when the rest of the garden is dormant.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBest Time to Plant Howell's Dwarf Tigertail Spruce in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor evergreens, the ideal window is \u003cstrong\u003elate August through mid-September\u003c\/strong\u003e, giving roots time to establish before the ground freezes and before winter wind can dry the needles. \u003cstrong\u003eSpring (late April–May, after the ground thaws)\u003c\/strong\u003e is the second-best option. Avoid summer planting when possible. Never plant after mid-October or before late April, when frozen ground and frost-heaving kill new roots.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow to Plant Howell's Dwarf Tigertail Spruce\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDig wide, not deep — 2–3x the root ball width, the same depth as the ball. Heavy clay benefits from an even wider hole.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCheck for clay hardpan — if water pools in the hole, break through the clay layer or mound-plant to improve drainage.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBackfill with native soil mixed with 20–30% compost; don't create a pure-compost \"container\" the roots won't leave.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSpacing — 3–4 feet apart for a low grouping; single plants need little room.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWater basin — build a 3–4 inch ring around the planting to direct water to the roots. Flatten or remove it before winter to avoid ice damage.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMulch — 2–3 inches of shredded bark or wood-chip mulch, kept 2 inches away from the trunk. Do NOT use gravel mulch in Minnesota — it doesn't insulate.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWatering Howell's Dwarf Tigertail Spruce in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFirst Year Watering Schedule\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeeks 1–2: Every 1–2 days, deep and slow (15–25 minutes)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMonth 1–2: Every 3–4 days\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMonth 3–6: Every 5–7 days during active growth; less if rainfall is adequate (Minnesota averages ~3 inches\/month June–August)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStop watering 2–3 weeks before ground freeze (typically late October in the Twin Cities)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGive one deep watering in early December if fall was dry — evergreens lose moisture through their needles all winter\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAfter Year One\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEstablished plants only need supplemental water during droughts (2+ weeks with no rain and temps above 80°F). Water deeply and infrequently — every 7–14 days during dry spells, soaking to 6–8 inches depth. Let natural rainfall do most of the work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWill Howell's Dwarf Tigertail Spruce survive a Minnesota winter?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes — it's reliably hardy through zone 4, well-suited to the Twin Cities metro (zone 4b–5a). Water deeply in late fall and keep the root zone mulched, especially in the first winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat makes the foliage \"two-tone\"?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach needle is green on top and silvery-white underneath, so the whole plant shimmers as the branches move — the \"tigertail\" effect that makes this dwarf such a conversation piece.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs it deer-resistant?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStrongly. Deer almost always pass over spruce — the stiff needles are unpalatable — making it dependable even in high-pressure deer suburbs like Minnetonka, Wayzata, and Eden Prairie.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow big does it get?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt stays small — about 3–5 feet tall and wide — and grows slowly, so it holds its place in a small bed or rock garden for many years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eYou May Also Like\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDwarf Alberta Spruce\u003c\/strong\u003e — a classic dense, cone-shaped dwarf evergreen for pots and small beds.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEchiniformis Hedgehog Spruce\u003c\/strong\u003e — a tiny flat blue-green bun for rock gardens and troughs.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDwarf Black Spruce\u003c\/strong\u003e — a low blue-gray bun of a Minnesota-native spruce.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMr. Bowling Ball Arborvitae\u003c\/strong\u003e — a soft, ball-shaped dwarf arborvitae for low edging.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- tt-enriched --\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow Many Howell's Dwarf Tigertail Spruce Do I Need?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a collector's specimen, not a hedging plant — most yards need exactly one, given a 5-foot circle where its two-tone foliage can be seen up close (near a patio, entry, or path). For a low grouping in a larger conifer bed, plant 3 spaced 3–4 feet apart (the body's own grouping spacing) and let the irregular forms knit into a textured composition. Growth is slow (3–6 inches a year), so buy the largest size you can — it will hold its spot for decades.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHowell's Dwarf Tigertail Spruce Season-by-Season in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpring:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fresh needles emerge in May, brightening the two-tone effect — new growth shows the silvery undersides most vividly.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSummer:\u003c\/strong\u003e Every breeze flips the needles to flash silvery-white under green — the \"tigertail\" shimmer is at its best against summer-green neighbors.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFall:\u003c\/strong\u003e Holds its full two-tone color while deciduous plants drop; becomes the anchor of the emptying bed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWinter:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fully evergreen through zone 4 — the dense, irregular dome catches snow and keeps flashing silver in low winter light for five months when little else performs.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAt a Glance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e✔ Deer-Resistant   ✔ Evergreen   ✔ Four-Season Interest\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant It With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/echiniformis-hedgehog-spruce\"\u003eEchiniformis Hedgehog Spruce\u003c\/a\u003e — the body's own pairing: a tiny flat blue-green bun for the foreground of the same rock garden.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/dwarf-black-spruce-nana\"\u003eDwarf Black Spruce\u003c\/a\u003e — another body pick: a low blue-gray native spruce bun that contrasts with the tigertail's two-tone green.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/honey-bun-mugo-pine\"\u003eHoney Bun Mugo Pine\u003c\/a\u003e — a soft green cushion mugo that repeats the dwarf-conifer scale in plain green, letting Howell's foliage stand out.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/gregoryana-norway-spruce\"\u003eGregoryana Norway Spruce\u003c\/a\u003e — a fine-textured deep-green cushion for a three-texture dwarf spruce collection.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs Howell's Dwarf Tigertail Spruce Right for Your Yard?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt thrives in full sun (6+ hours) and adaptable, well-drained clay-loam, stays a tidy 3–5 feet with no shearing, and deer leave it alone — perfect for rock gardens, entry beds, and conifer collections where its unusual foliage gets noticed. It's not a fit if you want fast screening or shade planting: it grows just inches a year and thins out without full sun.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Three Timbers Minnesota","offers":[{"title":"#7 (Spreading)","offer_id":54295927456049,"sku":"GT-E1300","price":205.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"#10 (Upright Standard)","offer_id":54295927488817,"sku":"GT-E1305","price":178.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0986\/0694\/0465\/files\/howells-dwarf-tigertail-spruce.jpg?v=1779469308","url":"https:\/\/threetimbersmn.com\/products\/howells-dwarf-tigertail-spruce","provider":"Three Timbers Minnesota","version":"1.0","type":"link"}