Blue Spruce - Picea pungens Glauca Globosa

The  Picea pungens 'Glauca Globosa' is a remarkable dwarf form of the Colorado blue spruce. It develops into a wide and irregular rounded cone, and over time forms a fluffy mass that is both extravagant and delightful. In spring,  its young shoots are of an extraordinary blue colour, then its foliage takes on a more silvery hue. It is composed of very small needles densely arranged around its short and rigid branches. Its very slow growth and small size, make it suitable for rock gardens, as well as flower beds, or even pots on the terrace. It thrives anywhere, as long as it is in the sun, in well-drained soil, even dry or chalky.

Originally from the west coast of the United States and the Rocky Mountains of North America, up to Canada, the Picea pungens, also known as Colorado blue spruce or blue spruce, is a very hardy evergreen conifer belonging to the pinaceae family. In its natural environment, it grows slowly, presenting an elegant and regular conical habit with horizontally layered branches. This tree can reach a height of 25 to 40m (131.2ft) and tolerates chalky soils and some drought.

The 'Glauca Globosa' variety, derived from this species, is a proven selection from 1937. It is a whimsical and endearing small conifer, with an open and globular habit at first, growing to form a slightly compact pyramid or a rounded cone crowned by a short spike. Its growth is very slow, about 6 to 7cm (2.8in) per year. At 15 years old, it reaches about 1m (3.3ft) in height and 80cm (31.5in) in width at the base. It produces short and thick branches, layered and covered with very short and prickly needles, densely arranged around the branches. Its young spring shoots are of a very intense light blue colour, glazed with silver. The rest of the year, its colour is intermediate between water-green and silver-blue. Its scaly, grey-purple bark is quite decorative. This variety tolerates drought and chalky soils better than others.

The 'Glauca Globosa' blue spruce, with its exceptional foliage, very compact growth, low maintenance, and ease of cultivation, is a perfect plant for rock gardens, terraces, or borders. It thrives in many situations, under various climates, as long as the soil is well-drained and the exposure is sunny. This plant goes well with stone walls, geometric lines of pools, and masonry. It can be paired with spring or summer annuals that enhance its foliage. The true architectural qualities of conifers naturally fit in the design of a contemporary garden, which prefers the aesthetics of shapes, silhouettes, and textures to flowers. These plants, with their reassuring permanence, provide lasting structure to flower beds, mark pathways, and border terraces, replacing the strong presence of trimmed boxwood or holly. They go well with heathers or shrubby salvias, as well as ground cover plants such as aubrietas and flowering shrubs like gauras. The key is to play with volumes and colours.