How much sun does Colorado blue spruce need?

Colorado blue spruce grows best in full sun conditions.

When does Colorado blue spruce bloom?

Colorado blue spruce blooms in May and June.

Where is Colorado blue spruce native?

Colorado blue spruce (Picea pungens) is native to AZ, CO, ID, MT and 3 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.

Colorado blue spruce

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Picea pungens

Last reviewed: October 2026

Colorado blue spruce (Picea pungens) is a perennial tree native to AZ, CO, ID, MT and 3 more states. It blooms in May and June.

Toxicity unknown

Colorado blue spruce (Picea pungens) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

full sun

Water

medium

Size

480"–900" H × 180"–300" W

Bloom

May, Jun

Native to

AZ, CO, ID, MT and 3 more states

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 459 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

North American Deserts Central Basin and Range Northwestern Forested Mountains Southern Rockies Arizona/New Mexico Mountains High Plains

A large pyramidal evergreen conifer with stiff, sharply pointed needles ranging from blue-green to silvery blue. Papery cones form in early summer, and the tree keeps a formal, symmetrical shape as it matures.

Growing Colorado blue spruce

Grow Colorado blue spruce in full sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 480 to 900 inches tall and spread 180 to 300 inches wide.

Wildlife value

Dense evergreen branches provide year-round shelter and nesting cover for birds; cones are eaten by squirrels.

Common questions

How much sun does Colorado blue spruce need?: Colorado blue spruce grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Colorado blue spruce bloom?: Colorado blue spruce blooms in May and June.
Where is Colorado blue spruce native?: Colorado blue spruce (Picea pungens) is native to AZ, CO, ID, MT and 3 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

See all plant problem guides

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