- Botanical name: Picea pungens
- Common name: Christmas tree
- Family: Pinaceae
- Plant Type: Tree, Evergreen
Blue/Green
- Key features:
- Attractive seedheads
- Colourful new growth
- Cones
Originating from the Rocky Mountains of Wyoming and Colorado, USA, Picea pungens forms a tall stately upright growing conifer that is ideal for adding structure to the garden during the winter months. It will thrive on any fertile, moisture-retentive but free draining soil with a neutral to acidic pH. The stiff needles curve upwards and are covered in a silvery glaucous wax that gives the tree its characteristic blue colour. The cylindrical cones start off green, turning pale brown as they ripen.
Picea pungens is a slow-growing tree. For best results grow in moist but well-drained soil in full fun. It looks particularly good when planted with other contrasting conifers and heathers.
How to grow Picea pungens
-
Plant size
5m height
15m spread
-
Aspect
South facing, west facing
-
Position in border
Middle, back
- Sun exposure: Full sun
- Hardiness: Hardy
- Soil type: Well drained / light / sandy / clay / heavy / moist
Plant calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow | ||||||||||||
| Sow |
J
Do not Sow in January |
F
Do not Sow in February |
M
Do Sow in March |
A
Do Sow in April |
M
Do Sow in May |
J
Do not Sow in June |
J
Do not Sow in July |
A
Do not Sow in August |
S
Do not Sow in September |
O
Do not Sow in October |
N
Do not Sow in November |
D
Do not Sow in December |
| Plant | ||||||||||||
| Plant |
J
Do not Plant in January |
F
Do not Plant in February |
M
Do not Plant in March |
A
Do not Plant in April |
M
Do not Plant in May |
J
Do not Plant in June |
J
Do not Plant in July |
A
Do not Plant in August |
S
Do Plant in September |
O
Do Plant in October |
N
Do Plant in November |
D
Do not Plant in December |
| Take cuttings | ||||||||||||
| Take cuttings |
J
Do not Take cuttings in January |
F
Do not Take cuttings in February |
M
Do not Take cuttings in March |
A
Do not Take cuttings in April |
M
Do not Take cuttings in May |
J
Do not Take cuttings in June |
J
Do not Take cuttings in July |
A
Do Take cuttings in August |
S
Do Take cuttings in September |
O
Do not Take cuttings in October |
N
Do not Take cuttings in November |
D
Do not Take cuttings in December |
Picea pungens and wildlife
Picea pungens has no particular known value to wildlife in the UK.
Is Picea pungens poisonous?
Picea pungens has no toxic effects reported.
No reported toxicity to Birds
No reported toxicity to Cats
No reported toxicity to Dogs
No reported toxicity to Horses
No reported toxicity to Livestock
No reported toxicity to People
