Home / Colorado Blue Spruce
Colorado Blue Spruce
Colorado Blue Spruce
Colorado Blue Spruce
Colorado Blue Spruce
Colorado Blue Spruce
Colorado Blue Spruce
1 / 6
Privacy Tree

Colorado Blue Spruce

3.9/5 7 reviews
Will it grow where you live?

Zones 2-7

Size: 5 gallon
$120 $150

Black Friday price 20% off, applied automatically at checkout

Black Friday Sale

20% off sitewide

Ends inSun, Nov 29

Take 20% off orders of $150+, applied automatically at checkout.

Unlocked. You save $30 on this at checkout.

Get it soonFree shipping over $249

Buy more, save more

Save up to $1,000 on your whole cart.

See all savings tiers
Free shipping$249+
Automatic
10% offAny 2 items
$50 off$350+
$125 off$750+
$300 off$1,500+
$500 off$2,500+
$750 off$3,250+
$1,000 off$4,000+

Your code will auto-apply at checkout.

1-year guaranteeShips in 1–5 daysReal plant experts

From our farm to your front door

  • Shipped in its nursery pot, so the roots stay undisturbed
  • Soil secured so it stays put in transit
  • Packed so the plant stays steady on the way to you

At a glance

Leaves
Evergreen: keeps its leaves all year
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
When the top 2" of soil is dry
Growth & size
Slow to moderate growth rate; reaches mature height of 30–60 ft and mature width 10–20 ft
Botanical name
Picea pungens
Hardiness
Zones 2-7
Tolerates
Cold hardyWind tolerantDrought tolerantHigh elevation tolerant
USDA zone map for Colorado Blue Spruce

Where it grows in the groundShaded areas are the zones where it can be planted outdoors.

Not sure it'll thrive where you live?Real people who answer questions before and after planting.
Chat now

What customers are saying

3.9
out of 5 · 7 verified reviews

Why customers love it

Healthy, well-rooted plants

Hand-selected and shipped in its nursery pot.

Delivered to your door

Skip the nursery trip. Very little car Tetris required.

Goodbye, noisy neighbors

A living screen that blocks the view, softens the sound and looks better than a fence.

1-year guarantee

If something goes wrong, we'll help make it right.

Care made simple

Plant it right once and it does the rest.

Sun
Full Sun

Pick the spot before you dig.

Water
When the top 2" of soil is dry

Water slowly and deeply. Check more often in its first summer.

Grows in
Zones 2-7

Enter your ZIP above to check your zone.

Your first year together

  1. 1Day 1

    Plant it, then water slowly until the whole root ball is soaked.

  2. 2First few weeks

    Keep the soil evenly moist while new roots settle in.

  3. 3First summer

    Water deeply during hot, dry spells.

  4. 4Next spring

    New growth starts. Feed as it wakes up.

Planting instructions
Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and just deep enough so the top of the root ball sits level with or slightly above surrounding soil. Gently loosen circling roots before planting. Backfill with native soil, water thoroughly, and apply mulch in a wide ring around the tree, keeping it several inches away from the trunk. Continue watering regularly during the first growing season to establish a strong root system.
Watering & sunlight
Watering needs are never one-size-fits-all. Weather, soil type, drainage, plant size, and planting time all affect how quickly a plant dries out.

Use a slow-running hose, soaker hose, or drip system to water the root ball and surrounding root zone thoroughly. Allow the water to penetrate deeply (not just wet the top few inches of soil), and avoid frequent, shallow watering.

Before watering again, check the soil 3–4 inches deep near the root ball. If it feels dry, repeat this deep-watering process. If it feels moist or soggy, wait and check again in 1–2 days. Check the soil of newly planted trees and shrubs several times per week, especially during hot, dry, or windy weather.

Irrigation run times will vary based on flow rate, soil, and system setup.

Need help? Contact our plant experts for watering guidance tailored to your plant and growing conditions.

Plant the Colorado Blue Spruce in full sun—at least 6 hours daily—to maintain its vivid blue needle color and dense shape. Too much shade results in thinner growth and duller foliage.
Care guide

PRUNING:
Minimal pruning is required. Prune only to remove dead or damaged branches. If shaping is needed, do so lightly in late winter or early spring before new growth begins.

FERTILIZING:
Feed once a year in early spring with a slow-release evergreen fertilizer, or skip fertilizer if planted in rich soil. A 2–3 inch mulch layer helps retain moisture and protect roots. Avoid fertilizing for the first 2–3 months after delivery to allow the plant to adjust and establish.

WINTER PROTECTION:
Naturally winter-hardy in its ideal zones and rarely needs protection. In newly planted trees, mulch the base (without touching the trunk) and water occasionally during dry, snow-free winter periods to prevent root dehydration.

Shipping & what's inside

Your plant ships in its nursery pot with the soil secured, packed so it stays steady on the way to you.

1-year guarantee

Every plant is covered by our 1-year guarantee. If something goes wrong, contact our team and we'll walk you through it.

Answered by Simply Trees plant experts
How big does the Colorado Blue Spruce get?
A Colorado Blue Spruce typically reaches 30–60 feet tall and 10–20 feet wide at maturity, forming a dense, pyramidal shape.
How fast does the Colorado Blue Spruce grow?
This evergreen grows at a slow to moderate rate, averaging 8–12 inches of new growth per year once established.
Where is the best place to plant the Colorado Blue Spruce?
Plant in full sun in well-draining soil. Choose a spot with plenty of open space for the tree to spread vertically and horizontally and avoid low-lying areas that stay wet.
How far should I plant a Colorado Blue Spruce from my house or structures?
Plant at least 15–20 feet away from homes, driveways, and buildings to allow for future height and root spread.
How far apart should multiple Colorado Blue Spruce trees be spaced?
Space trees 15–20 feet apart for individual growth, or plant slightly closer (10–12 feet apart) if using them for a dense privacy screen or windbreak.
Does the Colorado Blue Spruce tolerate drought?
Yes — once established, this spruce has good drought tolerance. It will still benefit from occasional deep watering during long dry periods or unusually hot weather.
Can the Colorado Blue Spruce grow in clay soil?
It can grow in clay if drainage is improved. Avoid planting where water sits or soil remains soggy, as standing moisture can stress the tree or cause root issues.
Is the Colorado Blue Spruce deer resistant?
Yes — the sharp, stiff needles generally make it naturally deer resistant, though no plant is completely deer-proof.
How long does it take for a Colorado Blue Spruce to reach maturity?
Expect several years of slow, steady growth. Full landscape impact often appears by year 8–10, with continued growth and structure developing over decades.
Why do Colorado Blue Spruce trees sometimes look more silvery-blue and other times more green-blue?
Needle color varies based on sunlight exposure and growing conditions. In full sun, the tree develops its brightest silvery-blue tones, thanks to a natural waxy coating on the needles. In partial shade or cloudy climates, that coating can be lighter, causing the foliage to appear more green-blue — both are completely normal for this species.
Still deciding? Our plant experts reply fast on live chat. Chat with us