Globosa blue spruce (Picea pungens ‘Globosa’) provides a pop of color in a green, green, green landscape. Contrast is important in landscape design. Globosa blue spruce is a cultivar of Colorado blue spruce, so it has that characteristic bright blue with greenish blue undertones. Where it varies from the parent is size and shape.
As the name implies, Globosa blue spruce is round. You know, like a globe. Botanical names actually make a lot of sense once you start paying even a little attention. In nurseries we tend to see them in #10 pots or smaller, which makes it one of those dreaded “tiger cub plants”.
I call them tiger cub plants because in the garden center, it’s like when you see a tiger cub at the zoo. It’s soooooo freaking cute and you want to take it home and love it, and it’ll stay perfect and adorable forever!
Except, just like a tiger cub, it won’t. Globosa blue spruce won’t eat your dog (and/or the mailman) but it will grow to a not insignificant 3 to 5 ft tall and 4 to 6 feet wide. It’s super important to keep this in mind when planting, because there’s a limit to how much you can reduce a Globosa blue spruce’s size. It will look horrible if you shear it, and even aggressive hand pruning can easily go too far. We offer landscape maintenance services but even us pros can’t save a Globosa blue spruce that was planted in the wrong place.
Don’t be scared, though! With some proper planning and a little care, Globosa blue spruce can help your landscape look its best.
David, I have two Globosas about 20 years old, which are approaching 5’ tall. They grow about 2-3’’ a year. Will their growth slow down at some point? They are about 1’ below the windows now, and I would not want them to begin blocking the view. But I am reluctant to risk moving them. I tried to candle them like my pines, but spruces are much more difficult to candle. What would be your advice? Thank you!
sorry for just seeing this, last week was nuts! I would expect their growth to start slowing down, as I don’t think I’ve typically seen them over 5 feet. But I do know location and environmental factors can sometimes play a role. Have you seen other mature ones out in the landscape to see what they do?