Picea Pungens Blue Diamond

Picea pungens Blue Diamond or Blue Spruce Blue Diamond

The Picea pungens Blue Diamond, also commonly referred to as the Blue Spruce Blue Diamond, is a relatively new variety of the classically popular Colorado Blue Spruce tree. It was first developed in Deurne, Netherlands in 1990. It is a hybrid that was created by crossing the female, Picea pungens ‘Glauca' with an unknown male Picea pungens variety. Once the cross was made, the plant Blue Spruce Diamond was grown via the use of asexual cuttings. The tree was patented in both the United States and Europe. It is now widely available for sale to gardners around the world.
Since 1991, the Blue Spruce Blue Diamond has successfully retained its distinctive characteristics, making it a popular landscape tree choice for any size garden. It grows in an eye-pleasing, strong, upright fashion and creates an outstanding pyramid shape that makes it a true focal point in any landscape. It produces one main, large stem and has vigorous lateral branches. Unlike other common Blue Spruce varieties which produce a drab blue shade, the colouration of the Blue Spruce Blue Diamond is an intense and vibrant blue with strong silver overlays that lasts all year long. 
The Blue Diamond exhibits a moderate growth rate. It usually attains a height of 66 cm in six years and then goes on to grow to 125 cm within 12 years. Average growth rate is generally about 15 cm per year. When fully grown, the Blue Diamond is expected to reach a height of at least 6m.  
The conifer grows well in temperatures that range from 8 degrees Celsius to 30 degrees Celsius. It can withstand temperatures down to minus 25 degrees Celsius with ease. Ideally, the Blue Spruce Blue Diamond should be planted in full sun for best growth. It grows well in all soil types, as long as the soil is well-draining. Best growth is normally attained in soil that is neutral to slightly acidic.  It does not tolerate excessively wet roots for an extended time period. 
The Blue Spruce Blue Diamond is virtually carefree once planted and established. Even periods of drought do to not adversely affect the tree’s growth. It requires no pruning to maintain its optimum pyramidal shape. However, it will tolerate a bit of trimming in the spring. It does not need fertilizer and will easily subsist on whatever nutrients the soil naturally provides. 
A Blue Spruce Blue Diamond will surely become the focal point of any garden. The medium size tree’s non-stop evergreen characteristics make it an ideal tree for any season. It has also become a popular Christmas tree choice around the world. It works particularly well as a Living Christmas Tree. 
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