Picea pungens (Colorado Spruce)
Michael's Opinion
A coarse leaved conifer but with a distinct pyramidal form. A dull green to pale blue grey in colour.
Botanical Information
Family | Pinaceae |
Genus | Picea |
Species | pungens |
Category | Woody |
Type | Tree (evergreen) |
Origin | Discovered in Colorado in 1862. |
Pronunciation |
Details
USDA Hardiness Zone | 2 - 7 |
USDA Hardiness Ref. | |
Canadian Hardiness Zone | 0a - 7a |
Canada Hardiness Ref. | |
RHS Hardiness Zone | H5 - H7 |
RHS Hardiness Ref. | |
Temperature (°C) | -46 -(-12) |
Temperature (°F) | -50 - 10 |
Height | 40 m |
Spread | 12 m |
Growth | Fast |
Description and Growing Information
ID Characteristic | Pyramidal with branches horizontal to the ground and new growth that is blue. |
Shape | Pyramidal and dense. |
Landscape | Typically used as a wind break or mass planting. Very tolerant of saline soils. |
Cultivation | Does best on moist well-drained soils. |
Pests | Spruce canker and sometimes gypsy moth are problematic. |
Habitat | The side of mountains where it is hot and dry. |
Bark/Stem Description | Course, flaky, purplish brown. |
Flower/Leaf Bud Description | 1 cm with slender scales at the base. |
Leaf Description | Stiff, sharp, and four sided needles that are 3 cm long. |
Flower Description | Male strobili are orange where the female strobili are green. |
Fruit Description | Cylindrical cones 12 cm in length. |
Colour Description | Blue foliage with brownish purple bark. |
Texture Description | Medium. |
Photographs
![](photos/Picea-pungens-alberta-form3.jpg)
![](photos/Picea-pungens-alberta-leaf.jpg)
![](photos/Picea-pungens-alberta-bark.jpg)
![Picea pungens var. glauca. Picea pungens var. glauca.](photos/ppGlauca.jpg)
Picea pungens var. glauca.
![Picea pungens 'Glauca Globosa'. Picea pungens 'Glauca Globosa'.](photos/ppGlaucaGlobosa.jpg)
Picea pungens 'Glauca Globosa'.
![Picea pungens 'Hoopsii'. Picea pungens 'Hoopsii'.](photos/ppHoopsii.jpg)
Picea pungens 'Hoopsii'.
![Picea pungens 'Koster'. Picea pungens 'Koster'.](photos/ppKoster.jpg)
Picea pungens 'Koster'.
![Picea pungens 'Montgomery'. Picea pungens 'Montgomery'.](photos/ppMontgomery.jpg)
Picea pungens 'Montgomery'.
![Picea pungens 'Thume'. Picea pungens 'Thume'.](photos/ppThume.jpg)
Picea pungens 'Thume'.
![Picea pungens 'Gebelles Golden Spring'. Picea pungens 'Gebelles Golden Spring'.](photos/ppGebellesGoldenSpring.jpg)
Picea pungens 'Gebelles Golden Spring'.
![Picea pungens 'Iseli Fastigiate'. Picea pungens 'Iseli Fastigiate'.](photos/ppIseliFastigiate.jpg)
Picea pungens 'Iseli Fastigiate'.
![Picea pungens 'Iseli Foxtail'. Picea pungens 'Iseli Foxtail'.](photos/ppIseliFoxtail.jpg)
Picea pungens 'Iseli Foxtail'.
![Picea pungens 'Glauca Pendula' Cone. Picea pungens 'Glauca Pendula' Cone.](photos/ppGlaucaPendulaCone.jpg)
Picea pungens 'Glauca Pendula' Cone.
![Picea pungens 'Stanley Dwarf'. Picea pungens 'Stanley Dwarf'.](photos/Picea-pungens-Stanley-Dwarf-form.jpg)
Picea pungens 'Stanley Dwarf'.
![Picea pungens 'Baby Blue Eyes'. Picea pungens 'Baby Blue Eyes'.](photos/Picea-pungens-Baby-blue-eyes-form.jpg)
Picea pungens 'Baby Blue Eyes'.