{"product_id":"montgomery-colorado-blue-spruce","title":"Montgomery Colorado Blue Spruce","description":"\u003ch1\u003eThe Original Dwarf Globe Blue Spruce for Minnesota Foundations\u003c\/h1\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eMontgomery Colorado Blue Spruce (\u003cem\u003ePicea pungens\u003c\/em\u003e 'Montgomery') is the classic dense dwarf globe blue spruce — tight, intensely silver-blue, and topping out at just 3–5 feet. Reliable to -50°F. The go-to choice for foundation accents, rock gardens, and small Twin Cities yards where you want maximum blue color in a compact footprint.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003ch2\u003eMontgomery 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 'Montgomery'\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Names\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMontgomery Colorado Blue 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\u003e4–5 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGrowth Rate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eVery slow — 2–4 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, dense rounded mound\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 spruce 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\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003c\/tbody\u003e\n    \u003c\/table\u003e\n    \u003ch2\u003eMontgomery Colorado Blue Spruce Uses in Minnesota Landscapes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003ch3\u003eFoundation Plantings and Rock Gardens\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMontgomery's compact 3–5 ft size makes it the ideal dwarf blue spruce for tight foundation beds, rock gardens, and entry accents. Plant 5–6 ft from foundations and 4–5 ft apart for a continuous low blue ribbon.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eLayered Mixed Conifer Beds\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePair Montgomery with larger blue cultivars like 'Hoopsii' or 'Fat Albert' for a tiered all-blue composition. Add Hetz Midget Arborvitae for green contrast.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003ch2\u003eBest Time to Plant Montgomery Colorado Blue Spruce in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eFall — late August through mid-September — is the ideal planting window for evergreens like Montgomery 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 Montgomery 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 — 4–5 feet apart for continuous low border; 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 Montgomery 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 Montgomery 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 Montgomery 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 Montgomery 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 this the same as Globe Blue Spruce ('Globosa')?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSimilar but distinct. Both are dwarf rounded blue spruce. 'Montgomery' is denser and tighter; 'Globosa' is the older traditional cultivar with a slightly more open habit. Both reach 3–6 ft mature.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow fast does Montgomery grow?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVery slow — 2–4 inches per year. A 10-gallon plant reaches mature 3–5 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. Stiff sharp blue needles deter deer reliably.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003ch2\u003eYou May Also Like\u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003cul\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e'Globosa' Globe Blue Spruce\u003c\/strong\u003e — Similar dwarf form — pair for variety in mixed blue conifer beds.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHetz Midget Arborvitae\u003c\/strong\u003e — Green dwarf globe that contrasts with Montgomery's blue.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eKarl Foerster Grass\u003c\/strong\u003e — Vertical accent contrasting Montgomery's rounded form.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRussian Sage\u003c\/strong\u003e — Lavender-blue summer flowers echo Montgomery's needle color.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- tt-enriched --\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow Many Montgomery Colorado Blue Spruce Do I Need?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor a continuous low blue ribbon along a foundation or border, space Montgomery 4–5 feet apart (the body's own spacing for its 4–5 ft mature width):\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eBorder Length\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePlants Needed (4.5 ft spacing)\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3 plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5 plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e30 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7 plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e40 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e9 plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs a single accent, give it a 6-foot circle at a foundation corner or rock-garden focal point — and remember it builds size very slowly, so buy the largest container you can if you want presence right away.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eMontgomery Colorado Blue Spruce Season-by-Season in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpring:\u003c\/strong\u003e A fresh flush of new growth in the brightest silver-blue of the year tips every branch — the annual highlight on this very slow grower.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSummer:\u003c\/strong\u003e A dense, tight steel-blue mound that anchors the bed while perennials come and go around it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFall:\u003c\/strong\u003e The blue reads even stronger as surrounding foliage yellows and drops — no fall mess, no cleanup.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWinter:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fully evergreen and rated to -50°F; a silver-blue dome above the snow that carries the foundation bed through five months of winter.\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\/globe-blue-spruce\"\u003eGlobe Blue Spruce\u003c\/a\u003e — the classic 'Globosa' from this plant's own FAQ; pair the two dwarf blues for subtle texture variety.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/hetz-midget-arborvitae\"\u003eHetz Midget Arborvitae\u003c\/a\u003e — the dark-green dwarf globe the body recommends for color contrast.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/fat-albert-colorado-blue-spruce\"\u003eFat Albert Colorado Blue Spruce\u003c\/a\u003e — the mid-size blue the body suggests for a tiered all-blue composition.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/karl-foerster-feather-reed-grass\"\u003eKarl Foerster Feather Reed Grass\u003c\/a\u003e — vertical wheat-gold plumes against Montgomery's rounded blue mound.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs Montgomery Colorado Blue Spruce Right for Your Yard?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMontgomery wants full sun (6+ hours) for its best blue, tolerates Minnesota clay-loam, shrugs off deer and drought once established, and stays genuinely small — perfect for tight foundation beds and rock gardens. It's not a fit if you're impatient or shaded: at 2–4 inches of growth a year a small plant takes 15–20 years to mature, and in part shade the silver-blue color dulls noticeably.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Three Timbers Minnesota","offers":[{"title":"#3 Gallon","offer_id":54114237907249,"sku":null,"price":137.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"#6 Gallon","offer_id":54114237940017,"sku":null,"price":242.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"#10 Gallon","offer_id":54114237972785,"sku":null,"price":411.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0986\/0694\/0465\/files\/Monty_colorado_blue_spruce_6.jpg?v=1777906806","url":"https:\/\/threetimbersmn.com\/products\/montgomery-colorado-blue-spruce","provider":"Three Timbers Minnesota","version":"1.0","type":"link"}