← Plant Guides

How to Grow Weymouth Blue Spruce

Wikimedia Commons

Weymouth Blue Spruce

Picea pungens 'Weymouth Blue'

tree

Weymouth Blue is a cultivar of Colorado blue spruce known for its striking silvery-blue foliage and dense, pyramidal form. This evergreen conifer is prized as an ornamental specimen tree in landscapes and gardens. It maintains its attractive color year-round and can grow into a substantial focal point.

When should you plant Weymouth Blue Spruce in your zone?

Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.

Get my Weymouth Blue Spruce timeline →

Example Weymouth Blue Spruce timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Weymouth Blue Spruce

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. Harvest Weymouth Blue Spruce

    Late summer into fall

    Before the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Weymouth Blue Spruce dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily; afternoon shade in hotter climates
💧
Water: Moderate and consistent moisture; water deeply 1-2 times weekly during establishment (first 2 years), then as needed during dry spells. Avoid waterlogging.
📏
Spacing: 120 inches
📅
Days to maturity: 3-5 years to mature form (can take 10-20 years to reach full height)
🌱
Planting depth: Plant at same depth as root ball; do not bury trunk

Soil

Type: Well-draining, slightly acidic loamy soil
pH: 6.0-7.0
Amendments:
Peat moss or coco coir for moisture retention Perlite or coarse sand for drainage Aged compost for nutrient enrichment

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Zones 2-7, with best performance in zones 3-6

2a 2b 3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a

Sign up free to see if Weymouth Blue Spruce grows in your zone — and get a personalized planting timeline.

Get my Weymouth Blue Spruce timeline →

Growth Stages

1

Nursery Establishment

First 1-2 years

Young tree begins developing lateral branches and establishing root system

Keep consistently moist without waterlogging; provide stake support if needed; remove any broken or crossing branches

2

Early Growth

Years 2-4

Tree develops stronger pyramidal shape with increased branching; foliage intensifies in blue coloration

Maintain steady moisture; mulch around base (2-3 inches) to conserve moisture; prune lightly to shape if desired

3

Vegetative Development

Years 5-10

Steady upright growth with increasingly dense branching from ground level; blue color becomes more pronounced

Reduce supplemental watering as roots deepen; light pruning for shape is acceptable in early spring; avoid heavy pruning

4

Mature Growth

Years 10+

Tree reaches desired landscape height and width with full silvery-blue coloration; may produce small cones

Minimal pruning except dead wood removal; maintain good air circulation; monitor for pest or disease issues

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Juniper Arborvitae Serviceberry Crabapple Dogwood Shade-tolerant groundcovers like creeping juniper

Avoid planting near:

Black walnut (allelopathic) Dense shade-producing trees that compete for light

Common Pests

  • Spray with water to dislodge; use insecticidal soap or neem oil in early spring; ensure adequate moisture to reduce mite populations

  • Prune out infested twigs; apply Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) in spring; use pheromone traps to monitor populations

  • Prune out dead or dying branches well below infection; improve air circulation and avoid wounding; maintain tree vigor through proper watering and care

  • Spray with horticultural oil in late winter; apply insecticidal soap; maintain tree health to improve resistance

Uses

🏠

Ornamental Specimen Tree

Household

Weymouth Blue serves as a striking focal point in landscapes with its distinctive silvery-blue foliage and compact pyramidal form. It adds year-round visual interest and is ideal for foundation plantings or as a standalone specimen. [source]

🏠

Holiday Decoration

Household

The attractive blue-toned needles and symmetrical shape make it a popular choice for Christmas tree farms and as a living Christmas tree alternative. [source]

🦋

Wildlife Habitat

Wildlife

Dense evergreen branches provide shelter and nesting sites for birds and small mammals throughout the year, particularly valuable in winter. [source]

🏠

Windbreak & Screening

Household

The dense growth habit and sturdy structure make it effective for creating privacy screens and providing wind protection in exposed landscape areas. [source]

Harvest Tips

Not applicable—ornamental tree. Remove dead, diseased, or damaged branches any time; light pruning for shape in early spring before new growth.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 Colorado blue spruce is the state tree of Colorado and part of the Rocky Mountain ecosystem; the 'Weymouth Blue' cultivar was selected specifically for its superior blue coloration.
  • 🌱 The silvery-blue waxy coating on the needles (called bloom) helps protect the tree from UV damage and reflects sunlight, contributing to the distinctive color.
  • 🌱 Weymouth Blue spruces can live 100+ years and gradually become even more densely branched and picturesque with age, making them long-term landscape investments.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Cultivar Full Sun Mulch
Shop Weymouth Blue Spruce plants and related plants at Plant Addicts →

Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.

Get your personalized Weymouth Blue Spruce planting timeline

Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Weymouth Blue Spruce seeds, transplant seedlings, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Includes calendar reminders and printable task lists. Free to start.

Get my Weymouth Blue Spruce timeline →