How to Grow Daub's Blue Spruce
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Daub's Blue Spruce
Picea pungens 'Daubii'
treeDaub's Blue Spruce is a compact, slow-growing conifer cultivar of Colorado Blue Spruce known for its striking silvery-blue foliage and dense, pyramidal form. This ornamental evergreen retains its bright color year-round and is popular for use as a specimen tree in landscapes and gardens. It matures at a modest size, making it suitable for residential properties with limited space.
When should you plant Daub's Blue Spruce in your zone?
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Example Daub's Blue Spruce timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Daub's Blue Spruce
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Daub's Blue Spruce
Late summer into fallBefore the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Daub's Blue Spruce dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 2-7, with best performance in zones 3-6
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Get my Daub's Blue Spruce timeline →Growth Stages
Establishment
First 2-3 years after plantingYoung tree with developing root system and compact branching structure. Foliage is bright blue-silver.
Water regularly to keep soil moist. Mulch around base (2-3 inches) to retain moisture. Protect from strong winds. Monitor for transplant shock.
Young Growth
Years 3-8Tree steadily increases in height and width with denser branching. Characteristic pyramidal shape becomes more pronounced.
Continue consistent watering during dry periods. Prune only to remove dead, diseased, or crossing branches. Maintain mulch layer.
Maturation
Years 8-25Tree approaches its mature size (typically 25-35 feet tall, though Daub's is more compact at 20-30 feet). Full pyramidal form with dense silver-blue needles.
Water during extended droughts. Minimal pruning needed—only remove dead wood. Monitor for pests and diseases.
Mature
25+ yearsFully developed specimen tree with dense, attractive pyramidal crown and striking silvery-blue coloration maintained year-round.
Water during drought. Prune only for shape or health. Fertilize lightly in spring if growth slows. Inspect annually for pest damage.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Spray with water to dislodge; use insecticidal soap or horticultural oil in spring and fall; encourage natural predators
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Prune and destroy galled branches; spray with dormant oil in late fall or early spring; avoid heavy nitrogen fertilization
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Hand-pick and destroy bags in fall/winter; apply Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) spray in late spring when caterpillars are young
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Prune out infected branches 6+ inches below visible damage; sterilize pruning tools; improve air circulation; avoid wounding the tree
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Remove affected branches; reduce stress through proper watering and avoid wounding; ensure good drainage
Uses
Wildlife Shelter & Food
WildlifeProvides year-round shelter and nesting sites for birds and small mammals. Dense evergreen branches offer protection from predators and harsh weather. [source]
Ornamental Specimen Tree
HouseholdPrized as a landscape focal point for its striking silvery-blue color and compact, symmetrical pyramidal form. Works well in foundation plantings, borders, and as a specimen tree. [source]
Holiday Decoration & Fragrance
CraftBranches can be cut for holiday arrangements and wreaths. The needles release a pleasant, fresh evergreen fragrance when touched or crushed. [source]
Privacy & Wind Screen
HouseholdDense foliage provides effective visual screening and can serve as a natural windbreak in groups or hedgerows, protecting other plants and properties. [source]
Harvest Tips
Not harvested; this is an ornamental tree grown for its visual appeal. Collect cones in fall if desired for seed extraction, though cultivars rarely produce viable seed.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Daub's Blue Spruce is a cultivar of Colorado Blue Spruce, which is the state tree of Colorado and Utah. The striking blue color is caused by a waxy coating (epicuticular bloom) on the needles that reflects light.
- 🌱 This cultivar is significantly more compact and slower-growing than standard Colorado Blue Spruce, making it ideal for smaller residential landscapes where the full-sized species would eventually become too large.
- 🌱 Spruce trees can live for 100+ years and are extremely cold-hardy; the species naturally occurs at high elevations in the Rocky Mountains, thriving in harsh conditions.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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