Picea pungens

Common Names

Blue Spruce, Colorado Spruce, Colorado Blue Spruce, Épinette Bleue

Summary

Colorado blue spruce is a tall evergreen conifer native to the central and southern Rocky Mountains (Colorado, Wyoming, New Mexico, Utah) with a dense, pyramidal to conical crown and stiff horizontal branches. It features blue-green to silvery-blue needles with a waxy coating that gives a characteristic blue hue, and cylindrical cones 2–4 in long maturing green to brown; mature height 30–60 ft and width 10–20 ft, with slow to moderate growth and hardiness in zones 2–7.

Cultivation notes: prefers full sun and well-drained soil, tolerates a range of soils from slightly acidic to neutral, and is drought-tolerant once established; avoid waterlogged sites. Space about 12–24 ft apart for screening or specimen plantings; pruning is minimal. Common pests and diseases include spruce adelgid, spider mites, Cytospora canker, and needle cast. Uses include ornamental focal point, privacy screen, windbreak, and Christmas tree; propagation by seed or grafting.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

30-60 feet

Spread

10-20 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 2-7

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full sun; tolerates partial sun or partial shade.

Soil Type

Moist, well-drained loamy soil with neutral to slightly acidic pH

Soil Drainage

Well-drained soil

Soil pH

6.0-7.5, slightly acidic to neutral

Bloom Color

Insignificant

Bloom Time

Spring

Foliage Color

Blue-green to silvery blue

Fall Foliage Color

No fall color change; evergreen; needles blue-green to silvery-blue.

Leaf Lifecycle

Evergreen needle

Growth Rate

Slow-growing

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Cuttings, Layering, Grafting, Root cuttings

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts birds