Plant Encyclopedia

Other Names:  Blue Colorado Spruce;Colorado Blue Spruce

Description:

A compact rounded evergreen with striking steel blue foliage; grafted onto a single stem to form a blue lollipop, tends to become wider with age; a great patio tree, particularly effective accent among lower growing perennials and ornamental grasses

Ornamental Features

Globe Blue Spruce (tree form) is primarily valued in the landscape or garden for its highly ornamental lollipop-like shape. It has attractive blue evergreen foliage which emerges silvery blue in spring. The needles are highly ornamental and remain blue throughout the winter.

Landscape Attributes

Globe Blue Spruce (tree form) is a dense evergreen tree, selected and trained to grow in a small tree-like form with the primary plant grafted high atop a standard. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other landscape plants with less refined foliage.

This is a relatively low maintenance tree. When pruning is necessary, it is recommended to only trim back the new growth of the current season, other than to remove any dieback. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Globe Blue Spruce (tree form) is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• General Garden Use

Planting & Growing

Globe Blue Spruce (tree form) will grow to be about 6 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 5 feet. It tends to be a little leggy, with a typical clearance of 3 feet from the ground, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 60 years or more.

This tree should only be grown in full sunlight. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist growing conditions, but will not tolerate any standing water. It is considered to be drought-tolerant, and thus makes an ideal choice for xeriscaping or the moisture-conserving landscape. It is not particular as to soil type or pH, and is able to handle environmental salt. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This is a selection of a native North American species.