Blue Spruce
Picea pungens
Also listed as Abies menziesii, Abies parlatorei
Also known as Colorado Blue Spruce, Colorado Spruce, Silver Spruce
Climate Match for your location
See how well Blue Spruce grows in your area.
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A striking evergreen conifer prized for its silvery-blue needle foliage and dense pyramidal form. Highly ornamental and cold-hardy, it serves as an excellent specimen or windbreak tree in landscapes.
Why grow it
Blue spruce is notably more cold-hardy and drought-tolerant than many ornamental conifers once established, making it suitable for challenging upland or prairie sites where other specimen trees struggle. Its distinctive blue-toned needles offer visual contrast that many alternative spruces lack, though this coloration is typically strongest in full sun and may fade somewhat in shade. Compared to other windbreak conifers, its dense branching and pyramidal habit provide effective shelter while occupying relatively narrow ground footprint.
Watch out for
Blue spruce performs best with good air circulation and is susceptible to spider mites and cytospora canker in humid or poorly ventilated settings. The tree develops a deep taproot and resents transplanting once established, so site selection at planting is important. Needle drop and browning can occur from road salt spray or compacted soils, and the species prefers well-draining sites rather than wet clay conditions.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Pinaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Rocky Mountains (Colorado, Wyoming, Utah)
Native to: Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming
Seasonality
Season of Interest
Notable Cultivars
'Hoopsii' and 'Fat Albert' are among the bluest selections, while 'Montgomery' is a dwarf form reaching 15–20 feet, offering options for smaller landscapes.
Canopy
The tallest trees that form the overstory.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A striking evergreen conifer prized for its silvery-blue needle foliage and dense pyramidal form. Highly ornamental and cold-hardy, it serves as an excellent specimen or windbreak tree in landscapes.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Blue Spruce grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Blue spruce is notably more cold-hardy and drought-tolerant than many ornamental conifers once established, making it suitable for challenging upland or prairie sites where other specimen trees struggle. Its distinctive blue-toned needles offer visual contrast that many alternative spruces lack, though this coloration is typically strongest in full sun and may fade somewhat in shade. Compared to other windbreak conifers, its dense branching and pyramidal habit provide effective shelter while occupying relatively narrow ground footprint.
Watch out for
Blue spruce performs best with good air circulation and is susceptible to spider mites and cytospora canker in humid or poorly ventilated settings. The tree develops a deep taproot and resents transplanting once established, so site selection at planting is important. Needle drop and browning can occur from road salt spray or compacted soils, and the species prefers well-draining sites rather than wet clay conditions.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Pinaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Rocky Mountains (Colorado, Wyoming, Utah)
Native to: Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming
Seasonality
Season of Interest
Canopy
The tallest trees that form the overstory.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
Similar canopy trees you might consider:
Enter your ZIP code to see top native species and strong climate fits for you.
Companion Planting
Plants well with
Notable Cultivars
'Hoopsii' and 'Fat Albert' are among the bluest selections, while 'Montgomery' is a dwarf form reaching 15–20 feet, offering options for smaller landscapes.