What Is a Columnar Blue Spruce?

Identification

• Native to the southern Rocky Mountains, the blue spruce is winter hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 8. “Fastigiata,” sometimes referred to as “Iseli Fastigiata,” is more cold hardy than other blue spruce varieties, adapting to northern climates down to zone 2. While “Fastigiata” is known for its bright blue foliage -- especially its new growth -- most blue spruce trees have needles closer to gray-green or gray-blue than to true blue.

Shape and Size

• “Fastigiata” is a small cultivar, prized for its thin, upright growth habit, often compared to a blue pillar. In time, it may reach 10 feet tall and be as wide as 3 feet, but it is often smaller and narrower. While it is columnar when young, it can grow to be pyramidal as it gets older, its bottom widening out and its crown tapering. This compact growth habit suits it perfectly to smaller gardens where space is at a premium.

Growth Rate

• Unlike most blue spruce trees, which grow between 12 and 24 inches in a single season, “Fastigiata” is a relatively slow-growing tree. After 10 years, it may be no more than 5 or 6 feet tall and 1 or 2 feet in width. At this age, it is still usually columnar in shape. If you want it to fill its space more quickly, provide the right growing conditions; consistent moisture and a cool site help it establish well and grow quickly.

Culture and Uses

• Because it grows slowly and tops out at a small size, you can rely on “Fastigiata” not to outgrow its planting area. The bright blue needles of its new growth offer visual appeal in springtime and summer. Its columnar habit and tight foliage makes it a good choice for a specimen plant or for a hedge or screen. Blue spruce and its cultivars are tolerant, growing in a variety of conditions. They tolerate a range of light amounts, from full sun to full shade, as well as most soil conditions. Once it is established, blue spruce is tolerant of drought and heat.