Planted in spaced out groups picea abies 39tompa39 a dwarf norway spruce can give the illusion of a mini forest within a border it is a perfect conifer for a rockery or alpine garden alongside flowering plants such as azaleas once planted there is no maintenance required at all and they are very slow growing only 1 45 2 inches 403 45 5cm41 per year this dwarf conifer is also suitable for containers as well and makes a great focal point in them surrounded by flowering ann