Picea, Colorado Spruce 'Thomsen Blue'

Thomsen Colorado Blue Spruce | Picea pungens 'Thompsen Blue'

Height:  40 feet

Spread:  15 feet

Sunlight: full sun

Hardiness Zone:  2b

Other Names:  Blue Colorado Spruce; Colorado Blue Spruce; Thompsen

Brand:  Gertens

Description:

An absolutely spectacular evergreen with metallic silver needles and a uniformly pyramidal habit of growth, very refined and distinctive; best used as a solitary color accent or for color articulation where it can stand out

Ornamental Features

Thomsen Colorado Blue Spruce is primarily valued in the landscape for its distinctively pyramidal habit of growth. It has attractive powder blue foliage with hints of silver. The needles are highly ornamental and remain powder blue throughout the winter. The rough gray bark adds an interesting dimension to the landscape.

Landscape Attributes

Thomsen Colorado Blue Spruce is a dense evergreen tree with a strong central leader and a distinctive and refined pyramidal form. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.

This is a high maintenance tree that will require regular care and upkeep. When pruning is necessary, it is recommended to only trim back the new growth of the current season, other than to remove any dieback. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Thomsen Colorado Blue Spruce is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Vertical Accent
• Windbreaks and Shelterbelts
• Planting & Growing

Thomsen Colorado Blue Spruce will grow to be about 40 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 15 feet. It has a low canopy, and should not be planted underneath power lines. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 80 years or more.

This tree should only be grown in full sunlight. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist growing conditions, but will not tolerate any standing water. It is not particular as to soil type or pH, and is able to handle environmental salt. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This is a selection of a native North American species.