Picea pungens 'Glauca'  Colorado Blue Spruce

Pinaceae

Picea pungens means "sharp leaves". From North America. Slow to moderate growth evergreen tree, pyramidal and dense. Design height is 30', design spread is 20'. Mature height can be 100', with mature spread at 30'. 1 1/4" long grey-green needles, linear. Inconspicuous flowers in catkins. Brown cones. Prefers full sun, high to moderate water. Like acid, neutral, sandy and rocky soils; tolerates poor soil and wind. Subject to aphids, lepidopterous larvae, and mites. Needs little pruning. This tree has a central leader; do not cut it off or a double leader will develop. Use as a container plant, as a specimen or lawn tree. 'Glauca' (shown) has blue-gray foliage; 'Koster' has blue foliage. NOTE: One way of telling Picea from Pinea is that Picea needles go all the way around (they're whorled). Photos taken at Strybing.