Paul’s Select Blue Norway Spruce

Picea abies ‘Paul’s Select’

Plant Details

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 3a-7b (East – Hot Climates); 3a-8b (West – Cool Climates) Find Your Zone

Plant Type: Coniferous Evergreen Tree

Height at Maturity: 10-12′ on 10 years; 15-20′ at maturity

Width at Maturity: 4-5′ in 10 years; 6-10′ at base maturity

Spacing: 6′ apart for staggered screen plantings; 12′ apart for space between trees

Growth Habit / Form: Upright Pyramid

Growth Rate: Moderate; 10-12″ per year

Foliage Color: Blue to Silvery Blue

Fragrant Foliage: Yes

Sun Needs: Full Sun or Part Shade

Water Needs: Average to Low when established

Soil Type: Clay (amend heavy clay to ensure good drainage), Loam, Sandy, Silt

Soil Drainage: Moist to Damp But Well Drained

Soil pH: 6.0 – 7.5

Maintenance / Care: Low

Attracts: Visual Attention

Resistances: Cold (-40F), Deer, Disease, Drought (moderate when established), Insect

Description

If you are looking for a handsome blue tree that shines year round in the landscape, the ‘Paul’s Select’ Norway Spruce is a rare evergreen beauty that will do just that. An alternative to the Colorado Blue Spruce, Paul’s Select sports beautiful blue needles, superior disease resistance and a smaller stature that’s a good fit for small to medium size spaces. All grown up he might reach 15 to 20 feet tall and 6 to 8 feet wide or so. An absolutely beautiful conifer for the sunny to partially shaded landscape, this rare selection is extremely cold hardy to -40F and also handles humidity better than the Colorado Spruce. Snow loads are not a problem and there’s no need for pruning as it naturally maintains its dense and pyramidal form all on its own.

Landscape & Garden Uses

The Paul’s Select Norway Spruce is ideal for use as a specimen in sunny to partially shaded small to medium size landscape or garden spaces. Also excellent to frame corners of homes and other buildings or in groupings or staggered in privacy screen plantings in large landscape borders. A fine addition to conifer gardens, rock gardens formal gardens and Asian theme gardens.

Suggested Spacing: 5 to 6 apart for screen plantings; 12 feet apart for space between trees

Growing Preferences

The Paul’s Select Norway Spruce is easy to grow in a damp to moist but well-drained soil of average fertility. As with so many other conifers, constantly soggy or wet soils can be problematic leading to root rot or other harmful plant diseases. So make sure to plant this one in well-drained soil, whether in the ground or in pots. It grows well in full sun to part shade. We suggest at least 5 hours of direct sunlight per day. Does not grow well below Zone 7b in the South but will grow fine in Zone 8 in cool-summer western and northern climates. No pruning is required however a damaged or stray branch can be removed when needed.

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