Colorado Blue Spruce,  Tree Seeds

 

 Adaptable, Hardy, Bonsai, Christmas Tree, Hedge Plant, Screen/Windbreak, Specimen Tree, Cold, Drought and Wind Tolerant

 

Colorado Blue Spruce is a medium to large, narrow, pyramidal conifer with horizontal branching to the ground. It typically grows 30 to 60 feet tall in cultivation, but may reach 100 feet or more where it grows naturally. It is native to the central Rocky Mountains from southern Montana and eastern Idaho south to New Mexico where it is typically found growing in moist locations from 6000 to 11,000 feet in elevation. Stiff, bristly, four-angled, green to blue-green to silver-blue needles (to 1 1/2 inches long) point outward from the branches in all directions. Cylindrical light brown cones, to 4 inches long, have flexible scales. Dark gray bark furrows on mature trees.

 

Other Names: Colorado Spruce

Growth Rate: Slow

Family: Pinaceae

Native Range: Southern Rocky Mountains, United States

Height: 30 to 60 feet

Spread: 10 to 20 feet

Shape: Pyramidal

Sun: Full Sun

Drought Tolerance: Moderate to High

Water: Medium

Maintenance: Low

Site Requirements/ Soil Tolerances: Easily grown in average, acidic, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun. Tolerates some light shade. Prefers rich, moist soils. Although established plants have some drought tolerance, soils should be kept consistently moist and not allowed to dry out in the early years. Generally prefers cool climates and will struggle in the heat and humidity of the deep South.

Culture:

Uses: Specimen for landscape, Windbreak, Bonsai, Christmas tree, mass plantings.

 

 

Sowing Picea pungens glauca Seeds:

Scarification, Cold Stratification and moisture enhance germination.

Scarify: Soak in water, let stand in water for 24 hours

Stratify: Cold 0-30 days, 40 Degrees F in a Moist Medium.

Germination: Sow 1/8"

 

Characteristics

Christmas Tree

Evergreen

Specimen Tree

Drought Tolerant

Bonsai

Winter Interest

Urban Tolerant

Growing Info:

Scarification: Soak in water, let stand in water for 24 hours

Stratification: none required

Germination: sow seed 1/4" deep, tamp the soil, mulch the seed bed