{"product_id":"hoopsii-colorado-blue-spruce","title":"Hoopsii Colorado Blue Spruce","description":"\u003ch1\u003eThe Bluest Colorado Blue Spruce for Minnesota Yards\u003c\/h1\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eHoopsii Colorado Blue Spruce (\u003cem\u003ePicea pungens\u003c\/em\u003e 'Hoopsii') is widely regarded as the bluest cultivar of Colorado Blue Spruce. Intense silver-blue needles, classic pyramidal form, mid-size mature height of 20–25 feet that fits residential lots. Reliable to -50°F. The standout choice when you want maximum blue color in a Twin Cities front yard.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003ch2\u003eHoopsii 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 'Hoopsii'\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Names\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHoopsii Colorado Blue Spruce\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature Height\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20–25 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature Width\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10–15 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGrowth Rate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSlow to moderate — 8–12 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. Tolerates drought once established.\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.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFoliage\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEvergreen — intense silver-blue needles, the bluest cultivar of Colorado Blue Spruce\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWinter Hardiness\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReliable to -50°F.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDeer Resistance\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRarely browsed — sharp blue needles deter deer.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNative Status\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot Minnesota-native (Rocky Mountain species), but well-adapted to Minnesota climate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003c\/tbody\u003e\n    \u003c\/table\u003e\n    \u003ch2\u003eHoopsii Colorado Blue Spruce Uses in Minnesota Landscapes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003ch3\u003eFront-Yard Specimen Tree\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHoopsii at 20–25 ft makes a striking specimen for medium-size Twin Cities front yards. Plant 15+ feet from foundations for the 10–15 ft mature width. The intense blue color is most dramatic when illuminated for winter holidays.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAnchor for Mixed Conifer Beds\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePair Hoopsii with smaller cultivars like 'Montgomery' (3–5 ft) and 'Globosa' (4–6 ft) for a layered all-blue conifer composition. Add Hetz Midget Arborvitae for green contrast.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003ch2\u003eBest Time to Plant Hoopsii Colorado Blue Spruce in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eFall — late August through mid-September — is the ideal planting window for evergreens like Hoopsii 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 Hoopsii 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 — 15–20 feet apart for individual specimens; 10 feet from foundations.\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 Hoopsii 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 Hoopsii 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 Hoopsii 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 Hoopsii survive a Minnesota winter?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes — rated to USDA zone 2 (-50°F).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Hoopsii actually the bluest cultivar?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes — widely considered the bluest Colorado Blue Spruce cultivar. Color holds intensity year-round in full sun.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow fast does it grow?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSlow to moderate — 8–12 inches per year. A 10-gallon plant reaches mature 20–25 ft in 18–25 years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill deer eat it?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRarely. Stiff sharp needles deter deer in nearly all Twin Cities suburbs.\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 — Dwarf 3–5 ft companion in matching blue color.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBlack Hills Spruce\u003c\/strong\u003e — Larger Minnesota-native evergreen for backyard companion.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eKarl Foerster Grass\u003c\/strong\u003e — Vertical accent contrasting Hoopsii's pyramidal form.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLimelight Hydrangea\u003c\/strong\u003e — Lime-green summer blooms against Hoopsii's intense blue.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- tt-enriched --\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow Many Hoopsii Colorado Blue Spruce Do I Need?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHoopsii is a specimen tree — one delivers maximum impact as a front-yard focal point. For a loose evergreen screen or windbreak line, space trees 15–20 feet apart (a 100-foot run takes 6–7 trees); for a layered conifer bed, use a single Hoopsii as the anchor with dwarf blue and green companions at its feet. Keep it at least 10 feet from foundations and 15 feet from other large trees so the 10–15 foot skirt stays full to the ground.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHoopsii Colorado Blue Spruce Season-by-Season in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpring:\u003c\/strong\u003e New growth pushes out in pale silver-blue tips — the brightest, most luminous color of the year.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSummer:\u003c\/strong\u003e Intense silver-blue needles hold their color through heat and drought in full sun.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFall:\u003c\/strong\u003e The dense pyramid stands out sharply as deciduous trees go bare around it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWinter:\u003c\/strong\u003e The showpiece season — brilliant blue against snow, reliable to −50°F, and spectacular strung with holiday lights.\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 — dwarf 3–5 ft globe in matching silver-blue for the foreground.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/globe-blue-spruce\"\u003eGlobe Blue Spruce\u003c\/a\u003e — rounded blue companion that layers the composition at mid-height.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/karl-foerster-feather-reed-grass\"\u003eKarl Foerster Feather Reed Grass\u003c\/a\u003e — upright golden plumes for vertical contrast against the blue pyramid.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/limelight-hydrangea\"\u003eLimelight Hydrangea\u003c\/a\u003e — lime-green summer blooms that make the blue needles pop.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs Hoopsii Colorado Blue Spruce Right for Your Yard?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChoose Hoopsii if you have a full-sun spot with room for a 20–25 foot tree and you want the most intense blue evergreen available — it's deer-proof, bombproof to −50°F, and drought-tolerant once established. It's not a fit for shady yards (the blue dulls and the form thins) or tight spaces within 10 feet of the house, and patience is required: at 8–12 inches a year, it earns its stature slowly.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Three Timbers Minnesota","offers":[{"title":"#5 Gallon","offer_id":54114250719537,"sku":null,"price":96.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"#10 Gallon","offer_id":54114250752305,"sku":null,"price":192.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"#15 Gallon","offer_id":54114250785073,"sku":null,"price":288.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"#20 Gallon","offer_id":54114250817841,"sku":null,"price":356.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"5' BB","offer_id":54114250850609,"sku":null,"price":397.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"6' BB","offer_id":54114250883377,"sku":null,"price":452.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"7' BB","offer_id":54114250916145,"sku":null,"price":507.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"8' BB","offer_id":54114250948913,"sku":null,"price":548.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0986\/0694\/0465\/files\/img_13_hoopsii-colorado-blue-spr.jpg?v=1778046958","url":"https:\/\/threetimbersmn.com\/products\/hoopsii-colorado-blue-spruce","provider":"Three Timbers Minnesota","version":"1.0","type":"link"}