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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 GB / Ireland
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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