Other Names:  Blue Colorado Spruce;Colorado Blue Spruce

Description:

Gray green needles with a blue cast on a miniature, rounded variety; an ideal accent plant for borders and edges; this perfect small form of the Colorado Blue Spruce requires little maintenance to maintain its tidy form

Ornamental Features

Orphan Colorado Spruce is a dwarf conifer which is primarily valued in the garden for its ornamental globe-shaped form. It has attractive silvery blue-tipped bluish-green foliage which emerges silver in spring. The needles are highly ornamental and remain bluish-green throughout the winter.

Landscape Attributes

Orphan Colorado Spruce is a dense multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with a more or less rounded form. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other landscape plants with less refined foliage.

This is a relatively low maintenance shrub. 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.

Orphan Colorado Spruce is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Mass Planting
• General Garden Use
• Groundcover

Planting & Growing

Orphan Colorado Spruce will grow to be about 18 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 18 inches. It tends to fill out right to the ground and therefore doesn't necessarily require facer plants in front. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 40 years or more.

This shrub 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 considered to be drought-tolerant, and thus makes an ideal choice for a low-water garden or xeriscape application. 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.