{"product_id":"zafiro-colorado-blue-spruce","title":"Zafiro Colorado Blue Spruce","description":"\u003ch1\u003eA Premium Blue Pyramidal Spruce for Minnesota\u003c\/h1\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eZafiro Colorado Blue Spruce (\u003cem\u003ePicea pungens\u003c\/em\u003e 'Zafiro') is a select dense pyramidal blue spruce with intense blue color, mature 15–20 ft tall by 8–10 ft wide. Reliable to -40°F. A premium upscale blue spruce option for mid-sized Twin Cities yards.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003ch2\u003eZafiro 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 'Zafiro'\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Names\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZafiro Colorado Blue Spruce\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature Height\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e15–20 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature Width\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8–10 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\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 — intense silvery-blue needles in dense pyramidal 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; 'Zafiro' premium blue selection\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003c\/tbody\u003e\n    \u003c\/table\u003e\n    \u003ch2\u003eZafiro Colorado Blue Spruce Uses in Minnesota Landscapes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003ch3\u003ePremium Specimens\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eZafiro's intense blue color and tight habit make it a focal-point specimen tree in upscale yards.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eMid-Size Property Anchors\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStays under 20 ft mature size, making it an option where standard Colorado Blue Spruce would eventually be too large.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003ch2\u003eBest Time to Plant Zafiro Colorado Blue Spruce in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eFall — late August through mid-September — is the ideal planting window for evergreens like Zafiro 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 Zafiro 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 — 10 feet apart for grouped plantings; 15+ 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 Zafiro 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 Zafiro 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 Zafiro 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 Zafiro 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 Christina?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eZafiro is taller (15–20 ft) than Christina (4–6 ft) and has more intense blue color.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003ch2\u003eYou May Also Like\u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003cul\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHoopsii Colorado Blue Spruce\u003c\/strong\u003e — Companion premium blue spruce for paired specimens.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLimelight Hydrangea\u003c\/strong\u003e — Lime-white blooms in front of intense blue backdrop.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003c!-- tt-enriched --\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow Many Zafiro Colorado Blue Spruce Do I Need?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eZafiro is most often planted as a single specimen or a small group, but at 8–10 ft wide it also makes a refined evergreen screen. For a screen, space plants about 8 ft on center:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;max-width:600px;margin:16px 0;\"\u003e\n  \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:8px 12px;border:1px solid #d4dcc8;font-weight:600;background:#f4f7ec;\"\u003eRun length\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:8px 12px;border:1px solid #d4dcc8;font-weight:600;background:#f4f7ec;\"\u003ePlants needed (8 ft spacing)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:8px 12px;border:1px solid #d4dcc8;\"\u003e10 ft\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:8px 12px;border:1px solid #d4dcc8;\"\u003e2\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:8px 12px;border:1px solid #d4dcc8;\"\u003e20 ft\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:8px 12px;border:1px solid #d4dcc8;\"\u003e3\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:8px 12px;border:1px solid #d4dcc8;\"\u003e30 ft\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:8px 12px;border:1px solid #d4dcc8;\"\u003e4\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:8px 12px;border:1px solid #d4dcc8;\"\u003e40 ft\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:8px 12px;border:1px solid #d4dcc8;\"\u003e6\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs a specimen, plant one as a focal point or group 3 about 15 ft apart for a bold blue cluster. Give it room — it needs 8–10 ft of width and good air circulation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eZafiro Colorado Blue Spruce Season-by-Season in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpring:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fresh silvery-blue new growth brightens the tips of the dense pyramidal form.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSummer:\u003c\/strong\u003e Holds its intense blue color, making a cool, striking backdrop for greener plantings.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFall:\u003c\/strong\u003e Color stays steady as deciduous neighbors turn — the blue becomes an even bigger standout.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWinter:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fully evergreen — the silvery-blue needles and pyramidal shape carry the winter landscape and catch snow beautifully, while also breaking wind.\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\/hoopsii-colorado-blue-spruce\"\u003eHoopsii Colorado Blue Spruce\u003c\/a\u003e — a companion premium blue spruce for paired or repeated specimens.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/candicans-white-fir\"\u003eCandicans White Fir\u003c\/a\u003e — another intense blue evergreen with a softer needle for textural variety.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/white-fir-concolor\"\u003eWhite Fir (Concolor Fir)\u003c\/a\u003e — blue-green evergreen that layers well behind the spruce.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/limelight-hydrangea\"\u003eLimelight Hydrangea\u003c\/a\u003e — lime-white blooms that glow in front of the intense blue backdrop.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs Zafiro Colorado Blue Spruce Right for Your Yard?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eZafiro thrives in full sun with well-drained soil and enough open space for its 15–20 ft height and 8–10 ft spread — ideal as an upscale specimen or a refined evergreen screen on a mid-sized lot, and reliably deer-resistant. It's not a fit for small, cramped yards or for wet, poorly drained ground, where crowded, soggy conditions invite needlecast and root problems.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Three Timbers Minnesota","offers":[{"title":"#3 Gallon","offer_id":54101141848369,"sku":null,"price":109.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"#7 Gallon","offer_id":54101141881137,"sku":null,"price":219.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"#10 Gallon","offer_id":54101141913905,"sku":null,"price":356.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0986\/0694\/0465\/files\/Zafiro_colorado_blue_spruce_10.jpg?v=1777906804","url":"https:\/\/threetimbersmn.com\/products\/zafiro-colorado-blue-spruce","provider":"Three Timbers Minnesota","version":"1.0","type":"link"}