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Picea pungens

Colorado spruce

A conical to columnar evergreen tree to about 15m with scaly, grey bark and orange-brown shoots. Needles are stiff, pointed, bluish grey-green, curving upwards and covered in wax. Cylindrical cones are green at first, ripening to pale brown, and up to 12cm long

Other common names
blue spruce
Rocky Mountain spruce
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Size
Ultimate height
Higher than 12 metres
Time to ultimate height
20–50 years
Ultimate spread
4–8 metres
Growing conditions
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green Grey Silver
Summer Green Grey Silver Green
Autumn Green Grey Silver Brown
Winter Green Grey Silver Brown
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H7
Botanical details
Family
Pinaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Columnar upright
Genus

Picea are evergreen trees with rigid, needle-like leaves arranged singly all round the shoots, and narrow, leathery-scaled cones borne near the ends of the shoots

Name status

Correct

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in moist but well-drained, neutral to acid soil. See conifer cultivation for more advice

Propagation

Propagate by seed

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Architectural
  • Low Maintenance
Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to adelgids, aphids and conifer red spider mite

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus

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