Colorado Blue Spruce ‘Hoopsii’ 80/100cm (7L)

If you’re after the bluest of blue spruces, ‘Hoopsii’ is the one for you. This magnificent Picea pungens variety has the most intense silver-blue needles you’ll find on any conifer. The colour is so striking that visitors to your garden will stop and stare, wondering if it’s real or painted.

‘Hoopsii’ grows into a classic Christmas tree shape with dense, horizontal branches that sweep slightly upwards at the tips. It’s a steady grower, adding about 20-30cm each year. After ten years, expect it to reach around 3 metres tall and 2 metres wide. Given time, it can eventually reach 10-15 metres, making it perfect for larger gardens where it has room to shine.

The needles are thick and waxy with an incredible powdery blue coating. This isn’t just a summer colour – it stays brilliant all year round. In fact, the tree often looks its best in winter when frost enhances the silvery tones. New growth in spring is particularly special, emerging as an even brighter blue before maturing to match the rest of the tree.

This stunning spruce makes an outstanding focal point. Plant it where it can be seen from the house, perhaps in the middle of a lawn or at the end of a vista. It’s equally impressive as part of a conifer collection, where its blue tones contrast beautifully with gold and green varieties. Some gardeners use it as a living Christmas tree, decorating it with lights during the festive season.

‘Hoopsii’ was discovered in the 1950s at Hoopsii Nursery in America. It quickly became the standard by which all other blue spruces are measured. The original wild blue spruces come from the Rocky Mountains, where they grow in harsh mountain conditions.

One of the best things about ‘Hoopsii’ is its toughness. It laughs off cold winters and doesn’t mind exposed, windy sites. Once its roots are established, it copes well with dry spells. It’s also resistant to most pests and diseases that trouble other conifers. This reliability makes it a favourite with gardeners who want maximum impact with minimum fuss.

The dense branches provide excellent shelter for birds. Blackbirds and thrushes often build nests deep inside, safe from cats and sparrowhawks.

For a really professional look, underplant your ‘Hoopsii’ with low-growing shrubs or perennials. Purple heathers look fantastic against the blue needles. White-flowered plants also create a lovely contrast. Just remember to keep other plants well away from the trunk – blue spruces don’t like competition close to their roots.

The only downside to ‘Hoopsii’ is that the needles are quite sharp. Keep it away from paths and play areas where people might accidentally brush against it. Otherwise, this is one of the most rewarding conifers you can grow.

Ultimate height
Higher than 12 metres

Time to ultimate height
20–50 years

Ultimate spread
4–8 metres

Please note: Decorative pots shown are for display purposes only. Your tree will be supplied in a standard plastic nursery pot shown in the other pictures.