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PICEA pungens (Glauca Group)

Image of Picea pungens (Glauca Group)

Gerald L. Klingaman

Family

Pinaceae

Botanical Name

PICEA pungens( Glauca Group)

Plant Common Name

Blue Spruce, Colorado Blue Spruce

General Description

Colorado blue spruce is a medium to large pyramidal evergreen conifer native to the southern Rocky Mountains. The Glauca Group comprises all cultivars whose foliage has a bluish cast, ranging from bluish green to intense silver-blue. Their stiff needles are prickly when grasped and are pungently aromatic when crushed. Many dwarf cultivars are among this group that are always called blue spruces.

Colorado blue spruce prefers full sun and well-drained soil. Very content in cool, moist and fertile soils, it's proven quite adaptable. It can withstand many stresses, including drought, pollution, salt and wind. Use it as a specimen or screen.

Characteristics

  • AHS Heat Zone

    7 - 1

  • USDA Hardiness Zone

    2 - 8

  • Sunset Zone

    A2, A3, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17

  • Plant Type

    Needled or Scaled Evergreen

  • Sun Exposure

    Full Sun, Partial Sun

  • Height

    3'-80' / 0.9m - 24.4m

  • Width

    3'-30' / 0.9m - 9.1m

  • Native To

    Western United States

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Acidic, Neutral

  • Soil Drainage

    Well Drained

  • Soil type

    Loam

  • Tolerances

    Pollution, Salt

  • Growth Rate

    Slow

  • Water Requirements

    Drought Tolerant

  • Habit

    Pyramidal

  • Seasonal Interest

    Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    None

  • Fruit Color

    Brown

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    Blue Green, Gray Green, Steel Blue, Silver

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    Blue Green, Gray Green, Steel Blue, Silver

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Blue Green, Gray Green, Steel Blue, Silver

  • Foliage Color (Winter)

    Blue Green, Gray Green, Steel Blue, Silver

  • Bark Color

    Brown

  • Fragrant Flowers

    No

  • Fragrant Fruit

    No

  • Fragrant Foliage

    Yes

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    Yes

  • Repeat Bloomer

    No

  • Showy Fruit

    Yes

  • Edible Fruit

    No

  • Showy Foliage

    Yes

  • Foliage Texture

    Medium

  • Foliage Sheen

    Matte

  • Evergreen

    Yes

  • Showy Bark

    No

Special Characteristics

  • Bark Texture

    Fissured

  • Usage

    Container, Feature Plant, Hedges, Mixed Border, Rock Garden / Wall, Screening / Wind Break, Topiary / Bonsai / Espalier

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    Yes

  • Invasive

    No

  • Self-Sowing

    Yes