Colorado Blue Spruce Data Sheet

Common name: Colorado blue spruce
Latin name: Picea pungens
Genus: Picea
Height: 45 m (146 ft)
Type: Evergreen
Hardiness: Zone 2–8
Conservation status: Least concern

Colorado Blue Spruce Info

Colorado blue spruce is a medium/large evergreen tree native to the Rocky Mountains in the US.

It can grow up to 23 m (75 ft) tall. Trunk diameter in excess of 1.3 m.

The grey-blue-green leaves, up to 3 cm (1 in) long, are arranged radially on the shoots and stems.

This is a prized ornamental tree worldwide, widely cultivated for the Christmas tree industry.

This species can live for 200 years.

Growth Habit

Shoot growth usually starts in February and continues until September. Yearly height increases of 0.6–0.9 ft are common beyond season 3.

These were sown this year. Plants are 1–2" tall.

Saplings are in pots. I recommend they are separated into their own 4" pots when you receive them. Growth rate is medium. Plants can be kept in a cool conservatory, windowsill or outside over the winter months.

Fully hardy off to minus 38°C or colder come autumn.

Care Instructions

Keep free from competing weeds and never allow to completely dry out. Water logging should also be avoided. Trees will perform best raised outdoors in full sunny position. The growth rate is medium and will soon need re-potting to beyond a 10" pot. Once the trees reach around 1 ft high they can be set in their final planting position.

Back to Pines, Spruce, Firs

Back to store front