{"product_id":"blue-teardrop-spruce","title":"Blue Teardrop Spruce","description":"\u003ch1\u003eA Blue, Teardrop-Shaped Dwarf Alberta Spruce\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBlue Teardrop Spruce (\u003cem\u003ePicea glauca\u003c\/em\u003e 'Blue Teardrop') is a compact, blue-needled cousin of the dwarf Alberta spruce, forming a neat, slightly teardrop-shaped cone of fine powder-blue needles. Slow and tidy to about 3-5 feet, it needs no shearing and brings cool blue color and formal texture to foundations, entries, and containers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBlue Teardrop Spruce Plant Details\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eAttribute\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDetail\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cem\u003ePicea glauca\u003c\/em\u003e 'Blue Teardrop'\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Names\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBlue Teardrop Dwarf Alberta Spruce\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature Height\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3-5 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature Width\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2-3 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGrowth Rate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSlow - 2-4 inches per year\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSun\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFull sun (6+ hours)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate; water deeply through the first two seasons.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUSDA Zones\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3-7 (Twin Cities is zone 4b-5a)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoil\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAdaptable; tolerates Minnesota clay-loam.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFoliage\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEvergreen - fine, dense powder-blue needles\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWinter Hardiness\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReliable to -40F.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDeer Resistance\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGood - deer rarely browse spruce; the stiff needles deter them.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNative Status\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot native; a dwarf white spruce selection\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBlue Teardrop Spruce Uses in Minnesota Landscapes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFoundations \u0026amp; Entries\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts neat blue cone adds formal color to foundations, entries, and mixed beds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eContainers \u0026amp; Pairs\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePerfect in matched pairs flanking a doorway or in large patio containers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBest Time to Plant Blue Teardrop Spruce in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSpring through early fall all work, but late August through mid-September is ideal, giving roots time to settle before the ground freezes. Water deeply once a week the first season and mulch to hold moisture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBlue Teardrop Spruce Uses in Minnesota Landscapes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDwarf blue accent and matched pairs\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBlue Teardrop offers the tidy, dense cone of a dwarf Alberta spruce but in powder-blue — perfect as a matched pair flanking an entry or as a standout accent in a small bed in Edina, Plymouth, or Wayzata. No shearing needed to hold its neat teardrop shape.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eContainers and porch pots\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts slow growth and compact 3–5 foot size make it an excellent blue container evergreen. Container roots are less protected in winter, so move pots against the house or heel them into a bed once the ground freezes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSmall foundation and rock-garden accent\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUse it to add blue color and fine texture to a small foundation planting or large rock garden, where its slow growth means it stays in scale for years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFour-season interest\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe powder-blue cone holds its color and crisp form through five months of Minnesota winter, providing reliable evergreen structure and a pop of blue year-round.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBest Time to Plant Blue Teardrop Spruce in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlant in \u003cstrong\u003elate August through mid-September\u003c\/strong\u003e or \u003cstrong\u003espring (late April–May, after the ground thaws)\u003c\/strong\u003e. Avoid summer planting. Like other dwarf Alberta-type spruces, \u003cstrong\u003esiting matters\u003c\/strong\u003e: choose a spot sheltered from harsh winter wind and hot, reflected afternoon sun — an east or north exposure or protected nook — to prevent winter needle burn. Never plant after mid-October or before late April.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow to Plant Blue Teardrop Spruce\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDig wide, not deep — 2–3x the root ball width, the same depth as the ball. Heavy clay benefits from an even wider hole.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCheck for clay hardpan — if water pools in the hole, break through the clay layer or mound-plant to improve drainage.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBackfill with native soil mixed with 20–30% compost; don't create a pure-compost \"container\" the roots won't leave.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSpacing — 2–3 feet apart for a row; pick a wind-sheltered spot out of baking afternoon sun to limit winter burn.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWater basin — build a 3–4 inch ring around the planting to direct water to the roots. Flatten or remove it before winter to avoid ice damage.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMulch — 2–3 inches of shredded bark or wood-chip mulch, kept 2 inches away from the trunk. Do NOT use gravel mulch in Minnesota — it doesn't insulate.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWatering Blue Teardrop Spruce in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFirst Year Watering Schedule\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeeks 1–2: Every 1–2 days, deep and slow (15–25 minutes)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMonth 1–2: Every 3–4 days\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMonth 3–6: Every 5–7 days during active growth; less if rainfall is adequate (Minnesota averages ~3 inches\/month June–August)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStop routine watering 2–3 weeks before ground freeze, but give one deep soak in late fall — well-hydrated needles resist winter burn far better\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAfter Year One\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEstablished plants only need supplemental water during droughts. As with all dwarf Alberta types, the main winter risk is desiccation, so water deeply into late fall and consider a burlap screen or anti-desiccant on exposed plants for the first couple of winters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWill Blue Teardrop Spruce survive a Minnesota winter?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes — it's cold-hardy to roughly -40°F (zone 3). The thing to manage is \u003cem\u003ewinter burn\u003c\/em\u003e from sun and wind, not the cold. Site it in a sheltered spot, water well in late fall, and screen exposed plants the first winter or two.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow big does it get?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSlowly to about 3–5 feet tall and 2–3 feet wide — it holds its compact blue teardrop for many years, so it won't outgrow a small bed or container.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs it deer-resistant?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStrongly. Deer almost always pass over spruce — the stiff needles are unpalatable — making it dependable even in high-pressure deer suburbs like Minnetonka, Wayzata, and Eden Prairie.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDoes it need full sun?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes for the best blue color and density — but pair that with shelter from the harshest winter sun and wind to keep the foliage looking its best.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eYou May Also Like\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDwarf Alberta Spruce\u003c\/strong\u003e — the classic green-needled dwarf cone for formal entries.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEchiniformis Hedgehog Spruce\u003c\/strong\u003e — a tiny blue-green cushion for rock gardens and troughs.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHowell's Dwarf Tigertail Spruce\u003c\/strong\u003e — a small two-tone dwarf with silver-flashing needles.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSkinny Blue Genes Spruce\u003c\/strong\u003e — an ultra-narrow blue column for tight spaces.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- tt-enriched --\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow Many Blue Teardrop Spruce Do I Need?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBlue Teardrop is an accent plant, not a hedge. Use a matched pair flanking a door or walkway (set each 2–3 feet from the path edge), a single specimen in a small foundation bed, or a group of 3 spaced 2.5–3 feet apart for a staggered blue cluster. For a short formal row, space 2–3 feet on center — at 2–4 inches of growth a year it will stay in scale for a decade.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBlue Teardrop Spruce Season-by-Season in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpring:\u003c\/strong\u003e Soft, bright new needle tips wash the cone in fresh powder-blue — the plant's showiest moment up close.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSummer:\u003c\/strong\u003e The dense teardrop holds its crisp formal outline with zero shearing, staying cool blue while the garden peaks around it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFall:\u003c\/strong\u003e Color and form stay steady; a deep late-fall soak now is the key to keeping needles plump and burn-free through winter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWinter:\u003c\/strong\u003e A neat blue cone against the snow, hardy to −40°F — just give it shelter from harsh wind and reflected sun to prevent needle burn.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAt a Glance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e✔ Deer-Resistant   ✔ Evergreen   ✔ Four-Season Interest\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant It With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/dwarf-alberta-spruce\"\u003eDwarf Alberta Spruce\u003c\/a\u003e — the classic green cone; alternating green and blue teardrops makes a striking formal entry.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/echiniformis-hedgehog-spruce\"\u003eEchiniformis Hedgehog Spruce\u003c\/a\u003e — a tiny blue-green cushion at the cone's feet in a rock garden or trough bed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/howells-dwarf-tigertail-spruce\"\u003eHowell's Dwarf Tigertail Spruce\u003c\/a\u003e — silver-flashing two-tone needles that echo the blue at a wider, spreading scale.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/skinny-blue-genes-spruce\"\u003eSkinny Blue Genes Spruce\u003c\/a\u003e — an ultra-narrow blue exclamation point behind the compact teardrop.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs Blue Teardrop Spruce Right for Your Yard?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChoose Blue Teardrop if you want a no-shear, deer-proof formal blue cone for an entry, small foundation bed, or long-term container — and you can give it full sun with some shelter from winter wind and hot reflected afternoon sun. It's not a fit for exposed, windswept spots or against bright south-facing walls: like all dwarf Alberta types, winter burn from sun and wind (not cold) is its one real weakness.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Three Timbers Minnesota","offers":[{"title":"#3 Gallon","offer_id":54295927226673,"sku":"GT-E1320","price":86.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0986\/0694\/0465\/files\/blue-teardrop-spruce.jpg?v=1779469307","url":"https:\/\/threetimbersmn.com\/products\/blue-teardrop-spruce","provider":"Three Timbers Minnesota","version":"1.0","type":"link"}