Other Names:  Blue Colorado Spruce;Colorado Blue Spruce

Description:

Here's the kind of tree that when you see it, you immediately want it; the lime green summer foliage turns a brilliant yellow gold in the fall and remains for the winter; may have irregular form when young; spectacular in the winter garden

Ornamental Features

Straw Colorado Spruce is a dwarf conifer which is primarily valued in the landscape or garden for its distinctively pyramidal habit of growth. It has attractive lime green evergreen foliage. The needles are highly ornamental and turn an outstanding gold in the fall, which persists throughout the winter. The rough gray bark adds an interesting dimension to the landscape.

Landscape Attributes

Straw Colorado Spruce is a multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with 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 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.

Straw Colorado Spruce is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Vertical Accent
• Hedges/Screening
• General Garden Use

Planting & Growing

Straw Colorado Spruce will grow to be about 12 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 8 feet. It has a low canopy, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 80 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 xeriscaping or the moisture-conserving landscape. 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.