Alcock's Spruce is a compact, slow-growing evergreen conifer native to the subalpine forests of central Japan, where it was discovered by botanist John Gould Veitch during an 1860 expedition up Mt. Fuji. The 'Howell's Tigertail' cultivar reaches a modest 4 to 6 feet tall and 2 to 5 feet wide, making it far more manageable than its wild ancestor, which can tower to 80 feet. Hardy from zones 3 to 7, this low-maintenance shrub thrives in full sun with moderate watering and asks little beyond well-drained soil and protection from wind exposure. Its dense, pyramidal form and fine-textured foliage bring year-round architectural interest to landscapes, while its remarkable tolerance of deer browsing makes it an asset in gardens where wildlife pressure is high.
Full Sun
Moderate
3-7
72in H x 60in W
—
Moderate
Hover over chart points for details
Named in honor of Sir Rutherford Alcock, this Japanese native carries the legacy of one of the 19th century's most ambitious plant expeditions. The 'Howell's Tigertail' form stays compact enough for residential gardens while retaining the distinctive coniferous character of its wild progenitor. It asks virtually nothing once established: no serious insect or disease problems plague healthy specimens, and its deer resistance means you can count on its survival even in heavily browsed landscapes.
Alcock's Spruce functions as an ornamental evergreen conifer, valued for its architectural form and fine foliage texture. It serves well as a specimen shrub in perennial borders, a focal point in rock gardens, or a structural element in mixed evergreen plantings. Its compact size and year-round presence make it useful for adding winter interest and vertical accent to residential landscapes.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Pruning is rarely necessary for Alcock's Spruce. Its naturally dense, pyramidal growth habit develops without intervention. Remove any dead, damaged, or diseased branches as needed, and light shaping can be done in spring if you want to maintain a particular form, though the cultivar's compact nature typically requires little intervention.
Enter your ZIP code to see a personalized growing calendar for this plant.
“Alcock's Spruce emerges from one of horticulture's great botanical journeys. In September 1860, John Gould Veitch, plant collector for the legendary Veitch nurseries, ascended Mt. Fuji-yama and discovered Picea alcoquiana growing in the subalpine forests of central Japan. The species was named alcoquiana and given the common name Alcock Spruce in honor of Sir Rutherford Alcock, the British diplomat and botanist whose work opened Japan to Western botanical exploration. From that single expedition more than 160 years ago, this conifer entered cultivation and eventually gave rise to compact selections like 'Howell's Tigertail', which brings the elegance of Japanese mountain forests into gardens where the species form would become unmanageable.”