Spruce, (Colorado Blue) Bacher's (Baker's) Picea pungens 'Bacheri' Height: 20 feet Spread: 10 feet
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Hardiness Zone: 3a Other Names: Blue Colorado Spruce;Colorado Blue Spruce Description: A stately upright conical shaped evergreen accent tree featuring dense sturdy branches and long, very pointy silvery-blue needles, very showy and unique, an ideal interest plant for home landscapes; very hardy and adaptable Ornamental Features Spruce, (Colorado Blue) Bacher's (Baker's) is a dwarf conifer which is primarily valued in the landscape for its distinctively pyramidal habit of growth. It has attractive blue evergreen foliage which emerges silvery blue in spring. The needles are highly ornamental and remain blue throughout the winter. The rough gray bark adds an interesting dimension to the landscape. Landscape Attributes Spruce, (Colorado Blue) Bacher's (Baker's) is a dense 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. Spruce, (Colorado Blue) Bacher's (Baker's) is recommended for the following landscape applications; Planting & Growing Spruce, (Colorado Blue) Bacher's (Baker's) will grow to be about 20 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 10 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 60 years or more. This shrub should only be grown in full sunlight. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. This plant should be periodically fertilized throughout the active growing season with a specially-formulated acidic fertilizer. 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. Special Attributes Cones are oval shaped 3 1/2 to 6 1/2 inches long, young cones are purple changing to brown as they mature. In some areas of the world spruce are considered drought tolerant, that depends on when does it rain. In the Pacific Northwest Desert evergreens need to be watered during the winter as well as the growing season. Our desert climate especially in late winter to early spring evergreens can suffer during next growing season. An easy way to remember check for dryness is on the holidays Halloween, Thanksgiving, New Year's Day, Valentines Day & Easter.
