A Dense, Compact Green Spruce for Small Spaces

Sherwood Compact Norway Spruce (Picea abies 'Sherwood Compact') is a slow, dense dwarf that builds a broadly conical to mounded form of deep green needles. Reaching around 3-5 feet over many years, it offers full, rich evergreen structure for foundations, entries, and compact gardens without outgrowing its space.

Sherwood Compact Norway Spruce Plant Details

Sherwood Compact Norway Spruce Uses in Minnesota Landscapes

Foundations & Entries

A full, compact green form that anchors foundation beds and entry plantings.

Small-Yard Structure

Provides dependable evergreen mass in tighter landscapes.

Best Time to Plant Sherwood Compact Norway Spruce in Minnesota

Spring 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.

Sherwood Compact Norway Spruce Uses in Minnesota Landscapes

Compact specimen and accent

Sherwood Compact forms a dense, rounded mound of deep green just 3–5 feet tall and wide — a substantial evergreen accent that won't overwhelm a small yard. Use it as a focal point in a bed or beside an entry in Edina, Plymouth, or Maple Grove.

Foundation and low massing

Its tidy size and slow growth make it ideal for foundation plantings or low evergreen massing. Plant 3–4 feet apart for a continuous low green mound along a walk or bed edge.

Containers and mixed beds

The compact form holds well in a large container for years, and its rich green sets off blue spruces, gold junipers, and perennials beautifully in a mixed planting.

Four-season interest

The dense, deep-green needles hold their color and form through five months of Minnesota winter, providing reliable evergreen structure year-round.

Best Time to Plant Sherwood Compact Norway Spruce in Minnesota

For evergreens, the ideal window is late August through mid-September, giving roots time to establish before the ground freezes and before winter wind can dry the needles. Spring (late April–May, after the ground thaws) 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.

How to Plant Sherwood Compact Norway Spruce

1. Dig wide, not deep — 2–3x the root ball width, the same depth as the ball. Heavy clay benefits from an even wider hole.
2. Check for clay hardpan — if water pools in the hole, break through the clay layer or mound-plant to improve drainage.
3. Backfill with native soil mixed with 20–30% compost; don't create a pure-compost "container" the roots won't leave.
4. Spacing — 3–4 feet apart for low massing; 5+ feet for individual specimens.
5. Water 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.
6. Mulch — 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.

Watering Sherwood Compact Norway Spruce in Minnesota

First Year Watering Schedule

• Weeks 1–2: Every 1–2 days, deep and slow (15–25 minutes)
• Month 1–2: Every 3–4 days
• Month 3–6: Every 5–7 days during active growth; less if rainfall is adequate (Minnesota averages ~3 inches/month June–August)
• Stop watering 2–3 weeks before ground freeze (typically late October in the Twin Cities)
• Give one deep watering in early December if fall was dry — evergreens lose moisture through their needles all winter

After Year One

Established 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.

Will Sherwood Compact Norway Spruce survive a Minnesota winter?

Easily. Norway spruce is hardy to roughly -40°F (zone 3), so a Twin Cities winter is no challenge. Water deeply in late fall and keep the root zone mulched the first year.

How big does it get?

It stays compact — about 3–5 feet tall and wide — and grows slowly, holding its dense rounded shape for many years without crowding its neighbors.

Is it deer-resistant?

Strongly. 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.

Does it need full sun?

Yes — give it full sun (6+ hours) for the densest growth. It tolerates light shade but grows looser with less light.

You May Also Like

• Wells Emerald Creeper Norway Spruce — a prostrate, groundcovering Norway spruce for slopes and walls.
• Dwarf Alberta Spruce — a classic dense, cone-shaped dwarf evergreen for formal accents.
• Howell's Dwarf Tigertail Spruce — a small two-tone dwarf with silver-flashing needles.
• Mr. Bowling Ball Arborvitae — a soft, ball-shaped dwarf arborvitae for low edging.