{"product_id":"dwarf-spreading-colorado-blue-spruce","title":"Dwarf Spreading Colorado Blue Spruce","description":"\u003ch1\u003eA Low Spreading Blue Spruce for Minnesota Foundation Beds\u003c\/h1\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eDwarf Spreading Colorado Blue Spruce (\u003cem\u003ePicea pungens\u003c\/em\u003e 'Procumbens' or similar) is a low ground-hugging blue spruce, mature 1–2 ft tall by 5–6 ft wide. Reliable to -40°F. Striking silvery-blue color in a horizontal spreading form — perfect for low foundation accents and rock gardens.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003ch2\u003eDwarf Spreading 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 'Procumbens'\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Names\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDwarf Spreading Colorado Blue Spruce\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature Height\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1–2 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature Width\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5–6 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGrowth Rate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSlow — 4–6 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.\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\u003eTolerates Minnesota clay-loam.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFoliage\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEvergreen — silvery-blue needles in low spreading horizontal habit\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWinter Hardiness\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReliable to -40°F.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDeer Resistance\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGenerally deer-resistant.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNative Status\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eColorado Rocky Mountains species; spreading-form selection\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003c\/tbody\u003e\n    \u003c\/table\u003e\n    \u003ch2\u003eDwarf Spreading Colorado Blue Spruce Uses in Minnesota Landscapes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003ch3\u003eFoundation Front Row\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDwarf Spreading's low height keeps it under windows and at the front of foundation beds where taller blue spruces would overgrow.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSlope and Bank Plantings\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLow horizontal habit makes it useful on banks and rocky slopes where the spreading form holds soil.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003ch2\u003eBest Time to Plant Dwarf Spreading Colorado Blue Spruce in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eFall — late August through mid-September — is the ideal planting window for evergreens like Dwarf Spreading 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 Dwarf Spreading 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 — 5 feet apart for continuous spreading row; 6+ 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 Dwarf Spreading 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 Dwarf Spreading 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 Dwarf Spreading 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 Dwarf Spreading survive a Minnesota winter?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes — rated to USDA zone 3.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow is it different from regular Colorado Blue Spruce?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt has the same silvery-blue color but stays low (1–2 ft) and spreads horizontally (5–6 ft wide) rather than growing as a 50-foot tree.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003ch2\u003eYou May Also Like\u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003cul\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHetz Midget Arborvitae\u003c\/strong\u003e — Dark green dwarf globe contrasts the spreading blue.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eKarl Foerster Grass\u003c\/strong\u003e — Vertical golden grass complements the horizontal blue.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- tt-enriched --\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow Many Dwarf Spreading Colorado Blue Spruce Do I Need?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach plant carpets 5–6 feet of ground at knee height, so a few go a long way. Use the 5-foot spacing the planting guide above recommends for a continuous silvery-blue front row.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eBed \/ bank length\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePlants needed (5 ft spacing)\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2 plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4 plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e30 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6 plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e40 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8 plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs a single rock-garden or foundation accent, give it a 6-foot pocket and let the horizontal branches drape — one specimen reads as a waterfall of blue.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eDwarf Spreading Colorado Blue Spruce Season-by-Season in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpring:\u003c\/strong\u003e Bright silvery-blue new growth pushes along every horizontal branch in May — the freshest color of the year.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSummer:\u003c\/strong\u003e A cool blue carpet barely 1–2 feet tall, staying put under windows while taller shrubs need trimming.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFall:\u003c\/strong\u003e Needles hold their silver-blue as the bed empties around it; one December deep-watering in a dry fall keeps needles plump for winter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWinter:\u003c\/strong\u003e Low blue branches catch and hold snow in sculptural drifts — hardy to -40°F, no protection needed.\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\/hetz-midget-arborvitae\"\u003eHetz Midget Arborvitae\u003c\/a\u003e — the body's own pick: a dark-green dwarf globe to contrast the spreading blue.\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 over the horizontal blue carpet.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/globe-blue-spruce\"\u003eGlobe Blue Spruce\u003c\/a\u003e — a rounded blue dome to step the bed up in height behind it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/dwarf-japanese-garden-juniper\"\u003eDwarf Japanese Garden Juniper\u003c\/a\u003e — an even lower green mat for layering textures on the same bank.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs Dwarf Spreading Colorado Blue Spruce Right for Your Yard?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChoose it if you want true blue-spruce color that never blocks a window — the front of a full-sun foundation bed, a rocky slope, or draping over a retaining wall in well-drained soil. Deer generally pass it by. It's not a fit for shade or poorly drained spots — the blue color fades without full sun, and like all Colorado spruce it sulks in soggy clay. Plant it high and dry and let it spread.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Three Timbers Minnesota","offers":[{"title":"#7 Gallon","offer_id":54102104211761,"sku":null,"price":141.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"#10 Gallon","offer_id":54102104244529,"sku":null,"price":178.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0986\/0694\/0465\/files\/Dwarf_spreading_colorado_blue_spruce_7.jpg?v=1777906794","url":"https:\/\/threetimbersmn.com\/products\/dwarf-spreading-colorado-blue-spruce","provider":"Three Timbers Minnesota","version":"1.0","type":"link"}