Globe Blue Spruce Care, Seeds Planting And Benefits

The Globe Blue Spruce has become a favorite among gardeners and landscape designers for its stunning blue silver needles and compact, rounded growth habit whether planted as a specimen, in rock garden settings or as an element of well thought out foundation planting, Globe Blue Spruce offers year round interest and architecture to the landscape. 

This Post explores everything about Globe Blue Spruce Care from ideal growing conditions to seasonal maintenance rituals that will have your specimen thriving and kicking for decades while tolerably low maintenance compared to a great many other ornamental flora it needs good care if it is to maintain its noted blue color dense globular shape and general well being.

What Is A Globe Blue Spruce?

It is the dwarf Colorado Blue Spruce with globe habit and showy blue-silver foliage. It is an evergreen shrub that grows 3 to 5 feet tall with about the same width, perfect for small landscapes where not much space can be spared.

Which grows 50-75 feet tall Globe Blue Spruce is not a shrub that needs to be sheared frequently to maintain its globe shape and offer structure and winter interest in landscapes all year. Its compact branch habit and vibrant color also recommend it as an excellent accent plant for rock gardens, container gardens, or as a specimen in foundation plantings.

Globe Blue Spruce History

It appeared as a horticultural find during the mid 20th century as a natural sport or mutation of the native Rocky Mountain United States Colorado Blue Spruce. First officially listed in the 1950s, this dwarf cultivar was soon popular in the nursery industry for its unique compact growth pattern and deep blue coloration. Whereas the parent species has been prized in American landscapes since the late 1800s. 

The Globe variant made it possible to have the same striking blue silver leaves in a dwarf form that made it easier to cultivate. Its popularity swept through the 1970s and 1980s as the suburban landscaping fashion turned to lower maintenance, architecturally appealing evergreens that would bring year round visual appeal without overpowering smaller contemporary yards.

Globe Blue Spruce Seeds

Seeding is not a good way to propagate for home gardeners as this variety is a grafted cultivar that will not seed true to form. Seeds taken from Globe Blue Spruce cones will generally go back to the parent Colorado Blue Spruce species and not retain the unique dwarf, globular form. 

Because of that, gardeners wishing to include these unique evergreens in their landscape should acquire established plants from quality nurseries instead of trying seed cultivation. Those who wish to cultivate Blue Spruce from seeds should expect the full sized trees to take 7-10 years before their characteristic blue tint.

Globe Blue Spruce Planting and growing

It is a striking evergreen shrub with silvery blue needles that provides color and form year round to your landscape. Plant in spring or early fall in well draining full to partial sun exposure soil. Select a location with lots of room since these trees can grow 30-60 feet tall and 10-20 feet wide upon maturity. 

Water deeply but not frequently after establishment, allowing the soil to partially dry between watering. Blue spruces are drought tolerant once established but appreciate regular watering in their first two years. They need very little pruning and are otherwise generally pest- and disease-resistant, making them an ideal low-maintenance option for home landscapes in USDA zones 2-7.

Globe Blue Spruce Care

The Globe Blue Spruce is a small, dwarf evergreen that requires little to keep it the rounded shape it is famous for Plant in good draining ground and full to partial sunlight but make sure it gets at least 6 hours a day of direct sun. Water heavily when the surface inch of soil is dry to the touch usually once a week during the growing season and every so often in the winter. 

These resilient specimens are tolerant of drought after establishment but enjoy regular moisture in their first two years. they are not often needed to be pruned to keep them spherical but may be lightly trimmed in early spring if necessary.

Globe Blue Spruce Benefits and Uses

• Creates year-round visual interest with distinctive blue-silver foliage.
  
• Maintains a compact, rounded shape without extensive pruning.
  
• Serves as an excellent foundation planting or accent specimen.
  
• Works well in rock gardens and small landscape areas due to its dwarf size.
  
• Provides shelter and nesting sites for birds and small wildlife.
  
• Offers winter interest when other plants are dormant.
  
• Functions as a natural windbreak or privacy screen when planted in groups.
  
• Requires minimal maintenance once established.
  
• Tolerates urban conditions including pollution and salt exposure.
  
• Resists deer browsing due to prickly needles and aromatic oils.
  
• Adds texture and color contrast to mixed evergreen plantings.
  
• Performs well in containers for patios or entryways.
  
• Helps stabilize soil on slopes to prevent erosion.
  
• Thrives in colder climates where other ornamental plants struggle.

Globe Blue Spruce Tip And Fun Facts

• Maximum sun exposure intensifies the distinctive blue silver needle color.
  
• The blue color comes from a natural waxy coating that helps protect the tree from pests and drought.
  
• Grows extremely slowly, typically only 1-3 inches per year.
  
• Can live for 80-100+ years with proper care.
  
• Each needle has four sides and remains on the tree for 8-10 years before dropping.
  
• Descended from the Colorado Blue Spruce which was discovered in 1862.
  
• The parent species Picea pungens is Colorado state tree.
  
• Needles contain aromatic oils that create a pleasant forest scent when brushed.
  
• The compact, globe shape occurs naturally without pruning.
  
• Christmas tree farms sometimes spray regular green spruces blue to mimic this desirable color.

Read More Post: Ruby Slippers Hydrangea Care, Seeds Planting And Benefits

Conclusion

The Globe Blue Spruce Care is a remarkable combination of striking beauty and utilitarian versatility for gardens today. By adhering to the care practices discussed providing well drained soil sufficient sunlight, correct watering and occasional but thoughtful pruning.

can benefit from a healthy lively specimen that adds to your landscape during all seasons Although this dwarf evergreen does need some care especially during establishment and harsh weather, its low maintenance requirements make it a great option for both new and seasoned gardeners.

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