Hunnewell Colorado Blue Spruce

Hunnewell Colorado Blue Spruce (Picea pungens 'Hunnewelliana')

Hunnewell Colorado Blue Spruce brings the blue spruce look to smaller landscapes with a denser, more compact form that stays easier to place than standard trees. Its blue to blue-green needles add crisp, year-round contrast that keeps beds and property lines looking finished through winter. The naturally upright shape makes it useful when you want evergreen structure without a bulky footprint. With full sun and good drainage, it develops into a long-lived anchor that holds its presence with minimal shaping.

Distinctive Features

This selection of Colorado spruce is valued for its dense branching and compact pyramidal habit, often forming a sturdy shrub or small tree depending on age and training. Needles are stiff and sharp, with a blue-green to silvery blue cast that is typically strongest in full sun and cooler weather. Cones may appear on older plants, but the primary appeal is the consistent needle color and tight structure. Mature size is commonly in the range of about 6 to 12 feet tall and 4 to 8 feet wide, with a slow to moderate growth rate that helps it stay manageable.

Growing Conditions

• Sun: Full sun is best for strongest color and dense growth.
• Soil: Plant in well-drained soil, and avoid sites that stay wet.
• Water: Keep evenly moist during establishment, then water deeply during extended dry periods.
• USDA Zones: Generally reliable in zones 3 to 7.
• Mature Size: Commonly about 6 to 12 feet tall and 4 to 8 feet wide over time.
• Habit: Dense, upright, pyramidal evergreen conifer with a strong central framework.

Ideal Uses

• Focal Point: Use as a blue-toned evergreen focal point near an entry or prominent bed corner where its dense pyramid reads clean year-round.
• Screening: Plant in a staggered row for a compact privacy screen with strong winter cover.
• Foundation Planting: Place where you want evergreen structure that stays tighter to the house than full-size spruces.
• Windbreak: Group along exposed edges to add evergreen shelter without the scale of large conifers.
• Evergreen Contrast: Pair with deep green shrubs and broadleaf evergreens to highlight the blue needle color.

Low Maintenance Care

• Watering: Deep water through the first growing season to support strong rooting and reduce stress.
• Mulching: Apply mulch over the root zone to conserve moisture and moderate soil temperature, keeping mulch off the trunk.
• Pruning: Prune only to remove dead or damaged branches, and limit shaping to light touch-ups if needed.
• Fertilizing: Feed lightly in early spring only if growth is weak, using a slow-release fertilizer for evergreens.
• Monitoring: Watch for spider mites during hot, dry weather and address early if needles begin to dull or stipple.
• Site Selection: Provide airflow and reliable drainage to support better needle retention and long-term vigor.

Why Choose Hunnewell Colorado Blue Spruce?

• Compact Blue Spruce Look: Delivers blue spruce color and texture in a more landscape-friendly size.
• Dense Structure: Tight branching keeps the plant looking full and intentional year-round.
• Four-Season Presence: Evergreen form and color provide dependable winter interest and structure.
• Privacy Value: Works well for compact screening and shelter when planted in groups.
• Browse Tolerance: Often less preferred by deer than many broadleaf evergreens, though browsing can still occur.

If you want a blue-toned evergreen that stays denser and more manageable than many spruces, Hunnewell Colorado Blue Spruce is a strong choice. Plant it in full sun with good drainage, keep moisture consistent while it establishes, and give it room to mature. Over time it becomes a dependable, low-fuss anchor that strengthens the landscape in every season.