Picea pungens seed

LATIN NAME: PICEA PUNGENS

COMMON NAME: Colorado Blue Spruce

The Colorado blue spruce silvers the neat, conical crown with the stiff, sharp needles in the blue-grey tone, the pale, smooth bark on the young trees, and the whole tree carrying the crisp, alpine look of the western conifers. The needles hold the cool, silvered blue through the year, the cones are pale and papery, and the tree grows into the dense, formal specimen of the garden. It stands the cold, the wind, and the dry air well, and it keeps the even, symmetrical habit. It likes the sun, and the deep, moist, well-drained soil.

Scientific Research & Plant Biotechnology

The blue spruce has a recognised place in the conifer research, and the wax coating on the needles has kept the plant scientists interested for the silvered colour. The studies cover the needle surface chemistry, the seed biology and the growth of the tree in the gardens and the plantations, while the foresters grow it for the timber and the shelter. The horticulturists value the cool blue that holds through the year, and the collectors of the blue conifers keep the species in their catalogues.

Ecological & Economic Value & Wide Applications

In the open garden, the Colorado blue spruce anchors the planting with the steady blue. The silvered needles hold the cool, formal shape through the year, the tree stands the cold and the wind well, and it makes the fine windbreak and the shelter belt. The timber serves the construction and the paper. Crisp, alpine and dependable.

The Colorado blue spruce seeds germinate in a fine, gritty mix kept cool and moist. The seedlings rise with the stiff, blue needles, and they grow on steadily. Keep them in the cool, bright spot with the sharp drainage, and give them the deep, moist, well-drained ground in the full sun. They resent the wet feet, so keep the mix on the dry side between the waterings. The silvered blue comes with the years.

To grow the Colorado blue spruce from seed, sow the small, winged seeds sparingly over the surface of the flat of fine, gritty mix, keep the flat in the bright, cool spot and mist gently. The seedlings emerge within a few weeks, and they grow on steadily. Stand the young trees in the sunny, moist ground, and the blue needles will silver the crown over the years.

Picea pungens glauca
Colorado Blue Spruce
This beautiful tree has nice short stiff blue needles. It is a pyramidal upright grower, and this is evergreen.
Evergreen, Adaptable, Hardy, Bonsai, Christmas Tree, Hedge Plant, Screen/Windbreak, Specimen Tree, Cold, Drought and Wind Tolerant
Uses: Specimen for landscape, Windbreak, Bonsai, Christmas tree, mass plantings.