Botanical profile

Picea pungens

Latin name
Picea pungens
Common name
Colorado Blue Spruce
Type
Coniferous
Family
Pinaceae

Picea pungens is a majestic ornamental conifer widely known as the Colorado blue spruce, prized for its unique blue-silver evergreen foliage that brings a colorful and structured presence year-round to beds, hedges, and large gardens. Its elegant pyramidal shape provides harmonious verticality, ideal for structuring residential or public landscapes without encroaching on space. In addition to its distinctive color, this tree offers a dense and refined vegetal backdrop, perfect as a shade tree, isolated specimen, or structural element. Very hardy and tolerant of a variety of well-drained soils, it prefers a sunny to semi-shady exposure, where it thrives without particular demands, even in colder climates.

Care guide

Growing conditions

Light, soil, water and hardiness

Hardiness zone
Zone 2–7
Exposure
Sun
Watering
Low to medium
Fertilization
Not specified
Soil type
Well-drained, tolerant
Minimum temperature
-40°C
Plant appearance

Blooming, foliage and shape

Blooming period
May
Flower color
Not significant
Fruiting
Hanging cones (not major ornamentals)
Foliage color
Silvery-blue to bluish-green
Foliage type
Persistent
Shape
Conical
Garden structure

Size and growth

Height
12-18 m (40-60 ft)
Width
20-25 ft (6-7.5 m)
Growth rate
Average
Pet friendly
Safe for pets

Pets

The availability of our plants varies depending on arrivals, seasons, nursery production and supplier availability. Some varieties may be offered for a limited time only, depending on their natural cycle or current stock. These plant profiles are designed to guide and inspire you when choosing plants for the garden, landscaping projects, containers or long-lasting outdoor arrangements.