Crystal Blue Spruce

Once established, Crystal Blue Spruce is highly drought-tolerant and stands as an exceptional choice for xeriscaping or moisture-conserving prairie landscapes. During its first 2 growing seasons in Steinbach, water deeply at the base once a week to encourage a heavy, comprehensive root infrastructure. It will not tolerate waterlogged soil or standing water. In late October, before the ground completely freezes solid, provide one last exceptionally thorough root-drenching soak to protect the needles from dehydrating under harsh winter winds.

This premium conifer requires a prime, full-sun position receiving at least 6 hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight daily. Ample solar energy is vital for forcing its signature perfectly uniform pyramidal structure and tight branching. While older blue spruce strains can suffer from needle scorch during sudden hot prairie heatwaves, the advanced genetics of Crystal Blue give it outstanding sunburn resistance while maintaining its intense steel-blue luster year-round.

Virtually care-free. Crystal Blue Spruce naturally grows into a tight, stately, holiday-tree silhouette, meaning routine pruning is completely unnecessary. If you desire to control its final size or increase its density even further, you can lightly pinch or shear back the softer, light-blue new growth "candles" in late spring (around late May to mid-June). Avoid cutting back into old gray wood where no green needles are growing. Always remove any dead or storm-damaged limbs immediately. For the first two winters after planting in Manitoba, it benefits from a temporary burlap windbreak fence to ease establishment.