{"product_id":"christina-colorado-blue-spruce","title":"Christina Colorado Blue Spruce","description":"\u003ch1\u003eA Compact Blue Spruce That Stays the Right Size for Twin Cities Yards\u003c\/h1\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eChristina Colorado Blue Spruce (\u003cem\u003ePicea pungens\u003c\/em\u003e 'Christina') is a slow-growing semi-dwarf blue spruce cultivar that tops out around 10–15 feet — a fraction of the standard 60+ foot species size. The same striking silver-blue needle color, but in a footprint that fits a Minneapolis foundation bed, an Edina front yard accent, or a tight Maple Grove side-yard. Reliable to -50°F. Ideal when you want the Colorado Blue Spruce look without sacrificing a quarter of your yard to one tree.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003ch2\u003eChristina Colorado Blue 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 pungens\u003c\/em\u003e 'Christina'\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Names\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eChristina Colorado Blue Spruce\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature Height\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10–15 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature Width\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6–8 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGrowth Rate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSlow — 4–8 inches per year in Minnesota\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSun\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFull sun (6+ hours) for best blue color\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate. Established plants tolerate drought.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUSDA Zones\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2–7 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoil\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTolerates Minnesota clay-loam. Best in well-draining soils.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFoliage\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEvergreen — stiff silver-blue needles, dense pyramidal habit\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWinter Hardiness\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReliable to -50°F. Same hardiness as standard Colorado Blue Spruce.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDeer Resistance\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRarely browsed — stiff, sharp blue spruce needles deter deer in nearly all Twin Cities suburbs.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNative Status\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot Minnesota-native (Rocky Mountain native species), but extremely well-adapted to Minnesota climate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003c\/tbody\u003e\n    \u003c\/table\u003e\n    \u003ch2\u003eChristina Colorado Blue Spruce Uses in Minnesota Landscapes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003ch3\u003eCompact Specimen for Front Yards\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt 10–15 feet mature height, Christina makes a strong specimen accent without overwhelming a typical Minneapolis or St. Paul front yard. Plant 8+ feet from foundations and walkways. The slow growth rate means the plant looks proportional for 15–20 years before reaching mature size.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eMixed Conifer Border\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUse Christina in groupings of 3–5 with other dwarf and medium-size conifers (Hetz Midget Arborvitae, 'Montgomery' Blue Spruce, 'Globe' Blue Spruce) for a mixed evergreen bed that holds visual interest year-round without requiring large-tree spacing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003ch2\u003eBest Time to Plant Christina Colorado Blue Spruce in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eFall — late August through mid-September — is the ideal planting window for evergreens like Christina Colorado Blue Spruce. Soil is still warm enough for root development, cool air reduces transplant shock, and the plant gets 6–8 weeks to establish roots before the typical mid-November ground freeze in the Twin Cities. The earlier window matters specifically for evergreens because they continue losing moisture through their needles all winter, so root establishment before freeze is critical.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eSpring (late April through May, after ground thaw) is the second-best window — you get a full growing season ahead. Avoid summer planting (June–August) when possible; if you must, water heavily and mulch deeply. Never plant after mid-October or before late April, when frozen ground or frost-heaving will kill new roots.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003ch2\u003eHow to Plant Christina Colorado Blue Spruce\u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003col\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eDig wide, not deep — 2–3x the root ball width, same depth. In heavy clay, dig even wider (3–4x).\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eCheck for clay hardpan — if water pools in the hole, break through the clay layer or mound-plant 2–3 inches above grade to improve drainage.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eBackfill with native soil mixed with 20–30% compost. Don't fill the hole with pure compost — it creates a \"container\" effect that traps water around the roots.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eSpacing — 8–10 feet apart for mixed conifer border; 10+ feet for individual specimens.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eBuild a 3–4 inch water basin around the plant to direct water to the roots. Flatten or remove the basin in late October to prevent ice damage over winter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eMulch with 2–3 inches of shredded bark or wood chip mulch, kept 2 inches away from the trunk. Do NOT use gravel mulch — it doesn't insulate roots in Minnesota winters.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003c\/ol\u003e\n    \u003ch2\u003eWatering Christina Colorado Blue 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 roughly 3 inches\/month June–August)\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eStop watering 2–3 weeks before ground freeze (typically late October in Twin Cities metro). Continued late-fall watering can push tender new growth that gets killed by winter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eOne deep watering in early December is a good idea for evergreens if fall has been dry — it helps the plant resist winter desiccation.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003c\/ul\u003e\n    \u003ch3\u003eAfter Year One\u003c\/h3\u003e\n    \u003cul\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eEstablished Christina Colorado Blue Spruce rarely needs supplemental water. Water deeply during droughts (2+ weeks of no rain combined with temps above 80°F).\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eSoak to 6–8 inches depth, every 7–14 days during dry spells. Let natural rainfall do the rest.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003c\/ul\u003e\n    \u003ch3\u003eDrip Irrigation in Minnesota\u003c\/h3\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eDrip works well for Christina Colorado Blue Spruce if your beds already have a system. Place emitters 12–18 inches from the trunk. Always blow out lines and shut off the timer by early October — frozen drip lines split.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill Christina Colorado Blue Spruce survive a Minnesota winter?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Same parent species as standard Colorado Blue Spruce — rated to USDA zone 2 (-50°F). No protection needed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow does it differ from 'Fat Albert' or 'Hoopsii'?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e'Fat Albert' is similar size (10–15 ft) but more pyramidal; Christina is denser and more rounded-pyramidal. 'Hoopsii' grows to 20–25 ft — significantly larger. Christina is the most compact of the three.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow fast does Christina grow?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSlow — 4–8 inches per year. A 6-gallon plant (~3–4 ft tall) reaches mature 10–15 ft in 15–20 years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill deer eat it?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRarely. The stiff sharp needles of all Colorado Blue Spruce cultivars deter deer browsing in nearly all situations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I plant Christina near a foundation?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes — 8 feet from the foundation is enough given the 6–8 ft mature width. Avoid planting closer than that to allow for root system and snow shedding off rooflines.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003ch2\u003eYou May Also Like\u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003cul\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e'Montgomery' Colorado Blue Spruce\u003c\/strong\u003e — Even smaller (3–5 ft globe) blue spruce for layering in front of Christina.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHetz Midget Arborvitae\u003c\/strong\u003e — Dwarf green globe arborvitae that contrasts with Christina's blue color.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eKarl Foerster Grass\u003c\/strong\u003e — Vertical accent that complements Christina's pyramidal form in mixed beds.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBlack Hills Spruce\u003c\/strong\u003e — True Minnesota-native evergreen for a larger backyard companion.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- tt-enriched --\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow Many Christina Colorado Blue Spruce Do I Need?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChristina is a specimen and grouping conifer, not a hedge plant. For a front-yard accent, one plant set 8–10 feet from the foundation or walkway does the job. For a mixed conifer border, plant in groups of 3–5 spaced 8–10 feet apart — the 6–8 foot mature width fills the gaps over time while the slow growth keeps the bed in proportion for years. Pair one Christina per 15–20 feet of bed as the mid-height \"anchor,\" with dwarf globes and grasses layered in front.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eChristina Colorado Blue Spruce Season-by-Season in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpring:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fresh new growth pushes in late May — the new needles emerge the brightest, most silvery blue of the year and slowly firm to steel-blue by midsummer.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSummer:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dense rounded-pyramidal form in full silver-blue color; the cool tone reads almost gray-blue against green lawns and makes hot July beds feel cooler.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFall:\u003c\/strong\u003e Color holds steady while deciduous neighbors turn — the blue pops hardest against orange maples and golden grasses in September and October.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWinter:\u003c\/strong\u003e The star season. Stiff blue needles hold snow in tiers and keep full structure and color through -30°F stretches when everything else in the bed is bare.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAt a Glance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e✔ Deer-Resistant   ✔ Drought-Tolerant   ✔ 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\/montgomery-colorado-blue-spruce\"\u003eMontgomery Colorado Blue Spruce\u003c\/a\u003e — the 3–5 ft globe form of the same silver-blue color; layer it in front of Christina for a two-tier blue composition.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/hetz-midget-arborvitae\"\u003eHetz Midget Arborvitae\u003c\/a\u003e — dwarf green globe that contrasts cleanly with the blue needles in a mixed conifer bed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/karl-foerster-feather-reed-grass\"\u003eKarl Foerster Feather Reed Grass\u003c\/a\u003e — vertical golden plumes beside the dense pyramid; both hold structure into winter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/black-hills-spruce\"\u003eBlack Hills Spruce\u003c\/a\u003e — Minnesota-native dark-green spruce for the back of a larger yard; Christina sits in front as the compact blue accent.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs Christina Colorado Blue Spruce Right for Your Yard?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChristina thrives in full sun (6+ hours — the blue color fades in shade), well-draining clay-loam, and any Twin Cities deer pressure; it asks for almost nothing once established and shrugs off -50°F. Give it an 8-foot circle and it stays in scale with a standard suburban lot for decades. Not a fit if your site is shady or stays soggy — blue spruce sulks in wet feet and shade, and in a low spot that holds spring water you'll be happier with an arborvitae.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Three Timbers Minnesota","offers":[{"title":"#3 Gallon","offer_id":54114623848753,"sku":null,"price":123.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"#10 Gallon","offer_id":54114623881521,"sku":null,"price":397.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0986\/0694\/0465\/files\/img_06_christina-colorado-blue-s.jpg?v=1778046941","url":"https:\/\/threetimbersmn.com\/products\/christina-colorado-blue-spruce","provider":"Three Timbers Minnesota","version":"1.0","type":"link"}