Not as attractive as the Colorado spruce; less dense. 1/2" needles are green to slightly blue-green in color. Faster growing when young than the Colorado spruce; more drought tolerant but more susceptible to mites. Less disease problems; needs good drainage. Dwarf Alberta Spruce is very slow growing with an extremely compact conical growth habit. Its fine needles suffer from winter drying; burns badly. May be short lived. Very susceptible to spider mites.