Procumbens Colorado Spruce

Procumbens Colorado Spruce (Picea pungens 'Procumbens')

Procumbens Colorado Spruce (Picea pungens 'Procumbens') is a vigorous, ground-hugging selection of blue spruce with striking silver-blue needles and a spreading, prostrate habit. Unlike upright forms, this cultivar grows horizontally across the ground, creating a dense mat of evergreen foliage that adds bold color and texture to rock gardens, slopes, and retaining walls.

Distinctive Features

'Procumbens' is known for its long, trailing branches and intensely blue needles. Over time, it forms a broad, layered carpet that hugs the soil or cascades over ledges and stonework. While it naturally grows low, it can also be trained vertically in its early years to develop a leader for a semi-upright form. Its spreading habit and vibrant color make it a standout groundcover in any conifer planting.

Growing Conditions

• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Soil Type: Well-drained sandy, loamy, or rocky soils
• Soil pH: Slightly acidic to neutral
• Water Needs: Moderate; prefers even moisture while establishing
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 2 to 7

Ideal Uses

• Groundcover on slopes, banks, or rocky outcrops
• Cascading plant for walls or raised beds
• Evergreen texture in rock gardens or alpine plantings
• Low filler in conifer borders or dwarf collections
• Foundation plant in informal, naturalistic designs

Low Maintenance Care

• No pruning needed unless shaping is desired
• Water regularly during establishment, then reduce as needed
• Mulch to suppress weeds and conserve soil moisture
• Fertilize sparingly to maintain compact growth
• Cold-hardy and tolerant of wind and urban conditions

Why Choose Procumbens Colorado Spruce

• Striking silver-blue needles in a spreading groundcover form
• Ideal for erosion control and softening hardscape edges
• Low-growing and space-efficient
• Highly durable and cold-hardy
• Provides bold evergreen color as a horizontal focal point

Procumbens Colorado Spruce offers an eye-catching solution for slopes, stonework, or low-maintenance plantings, combining vibrant color with a prostrate habit that transforms hard-to-use spaces into evergreen focal points.