Picea pungens

Blue Spruce
Picea pungens
Type: Coniferous Evergreen Tree
Exposure: Sun
Water: Regular

Let’s do another spruce, shall we?

This handsome, easy-to-grow evergreen is native to the central Rocky Mountains, giving rise to its other common name, Colorado Spruce. In optimal conditions, it can reach 60ft (18m) tall by a third as wide in maturity. Pointy, stiff, green to bluish-green or grey needles protrude in all directions, each reaching about 1.5in (3.8cm) in length.  Light brown, 4in (10cm) cones have flexible scales. Blue spruce do well in mild-to cold winter areas; they are not suited to southern heat and humidity. Use this as a focal point plant in large scale landscapes. However, if you’re like most of us and have a more limited space at your disposal, there are some dwarf varieties available such as “Fat Albert,” a very popular selection.

Cheers,

John