The Blue Spruce – Picea pungens
Slow growing and developing an attractive conical shape, Picea pungens makes an excellent potted Christmas tree. It is also a good landscaping tree with dwarf varieties being particularly useful.
Also known as the Colorado blue spruce, the appeal is in the beautiful blue green starry foliage as well as the natural growth habit.
All varieties are slow to very slow growing at first. After 10 years or so growth rate tends to speed up, especially when grown in the garden. Growth rate can be improved in good soil with some additional fertiliser. A little moisture during dry periods will aslo assist.
They tend to reach around 2 metres in height over the first 10 years, and when grown in a container this growth rate can be even slower.
Perhaps one of the best living Christmas trees of all, Picea pungens will last for years with little care.
Varieties and Growth Rate
Depending on the variety, the Blue Spruce can range in size from dwarf forms, perfect for smaller gardens or container planting, to tall trees reaching heights of up to 20–25 meters in ideal conditions.
The Blue Spruce is a slow-growing tree, with young specimens reaching about 2 meters in height within the first 10 years.
Growth will accelerate slightly after the initial period, particularly when planted in nutrient-rich soil with adequate moisture. In containers, growth will be even slower, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a manageable tree for a potted Christmas tree.
In optimal conditions, Picea pungens can reach its mature height of 10 to 15 meters in cultivation, with a spread of around 5 meters. While this conifer is slow to start, its resilience and beauty make it a long-term investment in your landscape.
- P. pungens Glauca – A good pyramidical habit.
- P. pungens Fat Albert – Still pyramidical however a broader growth habit.
- P. pungens Hoopsii (Hoops Blue Spruce) – Wonderful metallic blue foliage. The tree forms a natural layered structure, very decorative.
- P. pungens ‘Thomsen’ – Good blue foliage
- P. pungens ‘Kosterii’ – Very slow growing at first.
Picea pungens Care
If you are growing Picea pungens in a container, every 3 – 4 years you will need to repot into a slightly larger pot with some added high quality potting mix.
A little slow release fertiliser in early spring will have the plant looking great by Christmas.
After this wonderful little tree has completed its duties indoors, it should be moved outdoors into a position in dappled shade over summer.
In late summer to autumn it can be moved into full sun until the next season.
In the garden, choose a humus rich well drained soil in a sunny to part shaded position.
Uses of Picea pungens in Landscaping
The Blue Spruce is an excellent choice for a wide range of landscaping applications. Its conical shape and stunning blue-green needles make it a standout in any garden or landscape design. It can be planted as a specimen tree, used in hedging, or even planted in groups to create a natural screen.
When planted in the garden, Picea pungens provides year-round interest, from its bright blue foliage in winter to its stunning cones in spring and fall. The tree’s natural ability to withstand cold temperatures and its relatively low maintenance needs make it a popular choice for homeowners and landscape designers alike.
Other Conifer species to consider
Advantages of Blue Spruce as a Christmas Tree:
• Aesthetic Appeal: Striking blue-gray foliage adds a unique color.
• Strong Branches: Ideal for holding heavier ornaments.
• Long-lasting: Can be used for a number of years.
• Fragrance: Fresh, pleasant, citrus-like scent.
• Shape: Naturally symmetrical, making it visually appealing.
Disadvantages of Blue Spruce as a Christmas Tree
• Needle Drop: Prone to shedding needles if not properly cared for.
• Sharp Needles: Can be irritating to handle.
• Fragility: Branches can break.
• Price: Often more expensive than other types of Christmas trees, so initial outlay is more.
• Water Needs: Requires frequent watering to maintain freshness.
Summary Information
- Botanical Name – Picea pungens
- Common Names – Blue Spruce, Colorado Spruce
- Position – Full sun with protection from hot drying winds.
- Soil – Humus rich well drained.
- Height – Will reach 20 – 25 metres in ideal conditions. In cultivation around 10 – 15 metres.
- Spread – To around 5 metres
- Growth rate – Medium to slow.
- Foliage – Dense blue/green, sharply pointed needles.
- Flowers – Cones.
- Frost tolerant – Yes
- Drought tolerant – Medium once established.
Picea pungens are available for sale from the following nurseries
125 Palmer Rd Jindivick 3818
Open Thursday - Sunday 10am - 4pm
Specialising in growing and selling Rare and Unusual Trees, shrubs Perennials Bulbs and Climbers, a unique nursery with amazing stock.
www.muskersbroughtonhall.com.au
Carey Gully, Adelaide Hills.
Family business selling a large range of deciduous trees in pots 1-4m high. Crepe myrtle specialist. Includes Ornamental pears & plums, Red maples, Japanese maples, Gingko, Cercis, Ash, Birch, Crab apples, Weeping cherries, Gleditsia, Liquidambar and more. Hedging plants, evergreen trees & fruit trees.
www.adelaidetreefarm.com.au