St. Mary's Broom Creeping Blue Spruce
Picea pungens 'St. Mary's Broom'
Height: 24 inches
Spread: 5 feet
Sunlight:
Hardiness Zone: 2b
Other Names: Blue Colorado Spruce;Colorado Blue Spruce
Description:
This may be the finest groundcover blue spruce available; forms a dense, spreading mound of steel-blue needles that creeps to fill in an area, holds its color exceptionally well; an exciting alternative to run-of-the-mill spreading junipers
Ornamental Features
St. Mary's Broom Creeping Blue Spruce is a dwarf conifer which is primarily valued in the garden for its broadly spreading habit of growth. It has attractive steel blue evergreen foliage which emerges silvery blue in spring. The needles are highly ornamental and remain steel blue throughout the winter.
Landscape Attributes
St. Mary's Broom Creeping Blue Spruce is a dense multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with a ground-hugging habit of growth. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other landscape plants with less refined foliage.
This is a relatively low maintenance shrub. When pruning is necessary, it is recommended to only trim back the new growth of the current season, other than to remove any dieback. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.
St. Mary's Broom Creeping Blue Spruce is recommended for the following landscape applications;
- Mass Planting
- General Garden Use
- Groundcover
Planting & Growing
St. Mary's Broom Creeping Blue Spruce will grow to be about 24 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 5 feet. It tends to fill out right to the ground and therefore doesn't necessarily require facer plants in front. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 60 years or more.
This shrub does best in full sun to partial shade. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist growing conditions, but will not tolerate any standing water. It is considered to be drought-tolerant, and thus makes an ideal choice for a low-water garden or xeriscape application. It is not particular as to soil type or pH, and is able to handle environmental salt. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This is a selection of a native North American species.
