Native to a small relict population along the Drina River on the Serbia-Bosnia border, Picea omorika survived the last ice age in a narrow canyon and was only formally described to science in 1875. In gardens it grows 50 to 60 feet tall but occupies surprisingly little horizontal space, with branches that sweep upward at their tips after arching away from the trunk. The needles are two-toned: dark green above, silver-white below, giving the whole tree a shimmering quality in any breeze.

Unlike most spruces, it tolerates a wider range of soils and adapts better than most to less-than-ideal conditions, including urban settings. Songbirds seek its dense canopy for shelter, and deer largely leave it alone. A cool atmosphere and some protection from the harshest winter winds will help it perform at its best through zones 4 to 7.