Colorado blue spruce Picea pungens
Colorado blue spruce (Picea pungens) is an evergreen perennial tree in the Pinaceae family. It grows 10–18 m (33–59 ft) tall and 3–5 m (10–16 ft) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -40 °C (-40 °F). Space plants about 4 m (13 ft) apart.
Plan Colorado blue spruce in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Colorado blue spruce at a glance
| Type | Perennial tree, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Pinaceae |
| Mature height | 10–18 m (33–59 ft) |
| Mature spread | 3–5 m (10–16 ft) |
| Spacing | 4 m (13 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Cold hardiness | About -40 °C (-40 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 3) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 30 °C (86 °F) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | None |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇳🇴 Norway, 🇷🇺 Russia |
Is Colorado blue spruce toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Spruce needles are not known to be toxic, but sharp needles can injure pets.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Colorado blue spruce
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
See Colorado blue spruce in a botanical garden
It grows in this sample garden, which you can walk through in 3D:
- New York Botanical Garden (2 plants)
Questions about Colorado blue spruce
- How far apart should I plant Colorado blue spruce?
- About 4 m (13 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 3–5 m (10–16 ft).
- Does Colorado blue spruce need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Colorado blue spruce need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Colorado blue spruce?
- It tolerates about -40 °C (-40 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 3.
- Is Colorado blue spruce poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Spruce needles are not known to be toxic, but sharp needles can injure pets.
- What grows well with Colorado blue spruce?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Colorado blue spruce. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
- FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper 56 — Crop Evapotranspiration, FAO
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- University extension gardening guides (general), Various land-grant university extensions
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-cultivar values; varieties differ.
- Resinous foliage is highly flammable.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Dwarf mountain pine Pinus mugo
- Japanese black pine Pinus thunbergii
- Eastern white pine Pinus strobus
- Scots pine Pinus sylvestris
- Norway spruce Picea abies
- Siberian larch Larix sibirica
- Two-needle piñon Pinus edulis
- Lacebark pine Pinus bungeana