Description

Picea glauca 'Pugens', often called Colorado white spruce, is a species of coniferous tree in the Pinaceae family. It is a hardy, adaptable tree that tolerates well-drained soils and temperate to cold climates. It requires little maintenance once established. It has evergreen foliage made up of fine, short needles arranged in spirals around the branches. The needles are silvery-blue or bluish-green. It is a medium to large tree - 15 to 30 metres tall - with a narrow conical shape when young, becoming more rounded with age. Its bark is thin, smooth and silver-grey to pale brown. The cones are 2 to 4 cm long and light brown when ripe.

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Origin

Picea glauca 'Pugens' is a horticultural variety obtained from the Western White Spruce (Picea glauca), native to North America. The 'Pugens' variety was first discovered in Colorado, hence its common name "Colorado white spruce". Because of its dense growth and conical habit, it is also used to form hedges and privacy screens in gardens and residential properties. Although less commonly used than other spruce species, the wood of Colorado White Spruce can be used for light construction, furniture making or as firewood.