{"product_id":"montrose-charm-spruce","title":"Montrose Charm Spruce","description":"\u003ch1\u003eA Narrow, Slow Conical White Spruce\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMontrose Charm Spruce (\u003cem\u003ePicea glauca\u003c\/em\u003e 'Montrose Charm') is a refined, slow-growing white spruce selection forming a dense, narrow cone of fine blue-green needles. Reaching roughly 8-12 feet over time, it offers the rugged hardiness of native white spruce in a tidy, smaller-scale form - a charming specimen for yards where a full spruce will not fit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eMontrose Charm 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 'Montrose Charm'\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Names\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMontrose Charm Spruce\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature Height\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8-12 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature Width\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4-6 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\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 blue-green 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\u003eA compact selection of white spruce, which is native to northern Minnesota\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eMontrose Charm Spruce Uses in Minnesota Landscapes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eNarrow Specimen\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts slow, neat cone suits focal-point spots and smaller yards.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eMixed Beds\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAdds dense vertical structure to layered evergreen plantings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBest Time to Plant Montrose Charm 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\u003eMontrose Charm Spruce Uses in Minnesota Landscapes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCompact specimen for smaller yards\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMontrose Charm gives you the classic dense, conical spruce look at a manageable 8–12 feet — perfect as a single specimen in a front yard or lawn island where a full-size spruce would quickly take over. A great fit for the typical Edina, Plymouth, or Maple Grove lot.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFoundation and low screening\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts tidy size and slow growth make it ideal for anchoring a house corner or building a low evergreen screen. Plant 4–5 feet apart for a compact privacy hedge that won't outgrow its space.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eNative-species toughness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs a compact selection of white spruce — native to northern Minnesota — it brings true native hardiness and adaptability to a refined, garden-scale form.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFour-season winter interest\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe fine, dense blue-green needles hold their color and neat form through five months of Minnesota winter, giving the landscape year-round structure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBest Time to Plant Montrose Charm Spruce in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor evergreens, the ideal window is \u003cstrong\u003elate August through mid-September\u003c\/strong\u003e, giving roots time to establish before the ground freezes and before winter wind can dry the needles. \u003cstrong\u003eSpring (late April–May, after the ground thaws)\u003c\/strong\u003e is the second-best option. Avoid summer planting when possible — heat and dry wind stress new evergreens. Never plant after mid-October or before late April, when frozen ground and frost-heaving kill new roots.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow to Plant Montrose Charm 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 — 4–5 feet apart for a low screen; 6+ feet for individual specimens.\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 Montrose Charm 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 watering 2–3 weeks before ground freeze (typically late October in the Twin Cities)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGive one deep watering in early December if fall was dry — evergreens lose moisture through their needles all winter\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 (2+ weeks with no rain and temps above 80°F). Water deeply and infrequently — every 7–14 days during dry spells, soaking to 6–8 inches depth. Let natural rainfall do most of the work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWill Montrose Charm Spruce survive a Minnesota winter?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEasily. As a white-spruce selection it's hardy to roughly -40°F (zone 3) and native to the state's north, so a Twin Cities winter is no challenge. Water deeply in late fall and keep the root zone mulched the first year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow big does it get?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt stays compact — about 8–12 feet tall and 4–6 feet wide — and grows slowly, so it holds its tidy shape for years without crowding the house or walk.\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 — give it full sun (6+ hours) for the densest growth. It tolerates light shade but grows looser with less light.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eYou May Also Like\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNorth Star Spruce\u003c\/strong\u003e — a slow, dense Minnesota-bred white spruce for compact screens and accents.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWhite Spruce\u003c\/strong\u003e — the full native species, a tough Minnesota windbreak and screen tree.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSkinny Blue Genes Spruce\u003c\/strong\u003e — an ultra-narrow blue white-spruce column for tight spaces.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBonny Blue Colorado Spruce\u003c\/strong\u003e — a compact blue spruce specimen for smaller yards.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- tt-enriched --\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow Many Montrose Charm Spruce Do I Need?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor a compact evergreen screen, space plants 4–5 feet apart on center so the 4–6 foot cones knit together:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScreen Length\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlants Needed (4.5-ft spacing)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e15 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4 plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e25 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6 plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e50 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e11–12 plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs a specimen or foundation anchor, one plant per spot with 6 feet of clearance is plenty — or group three in a staggered triangle for a layered evergreen island.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eMontrose Charm Spruce Season-by-Season in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpring:\u003c\/strong\u003e Soft, fresh blue-green new growth tips every branch of the dense little cone — the brightest the plant looks all year.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSummer:\u003c\/strong\u003e A tidy, fine-textured pyramid that quietly holds its shape with zero pruning while perennials bloom around it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFall:\u003c\/strong\u003e Keeps its dense blue-green color as the garden fades, stepping forward as a key structural anchor.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWinter:\u003c\/strong\u003e The star season — a perfect snow-dusted spruce cone that laughs at -40°F and gives the bed five months of form.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAt a Glance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e✔ Minnesota Native   ✔ 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\/north-star-spruce\"\u003eNorth Star Spruce\u003c\/a\u003e — a slow, dense Minnesota-bred white spruce to pair in compact screens.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/white-spruce\"\u003eWhite Spruce\u003c\/a\u003e — the full native species for backing larger windbreaks behind it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/dwarf-alberta-spruce\"\u003eDwarf Alberta Spruce\u003c\/a\u003e — an even smaller, slower white-spruce cone to step the planting down.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/bonny-blue-colorado-spruce\"\u003eBonny Blue Colorado Spruce\u003c\/a\u003e — a compact blue spruce for color contrast at similar scale.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs Montrose Charm Spruce Right for Your Yard?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChoose Montrose Charm if you want real spruce character — native toughness, deer resistance, year-round structure — in a slow, tidy 8–12 foot package that won't outgrow a foundation bed or small yard. It's not a fit for deep shade (growth turns loose without 6+ hours of sun) or for anyone needing a fast-growing screen; at 4–8 inches a year, patience is part of the deal.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Three Timbers Minnesota","offers":[{"title":"#20 \/ 4-5'","offer_id":54295928111409,"sku":"GT-E1450","price":411.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0986\/0694\/0465\/files\/montrose-charm-spruce.jpg?v=1779469308","url":"https:\/\/threetimbersmn.com\/products\/montrose-charm-spruce","provider":"Three Timbers Minnesota","version":"1.0","type":"link"}