Silver light on the needles
The stiff, pointed needles have a distinctive silvery-blue tone. Its intensity varies between plants and with the age of the growth.
Picea 'super blue’ 23cm
Normal price
€42,00
What does the legal guarantee mean for plants?
The legal guarantee concerns the plant’s conformity at delivery. It is not a guarantee of survival or growth for two years. Each issue is assessed taking into account the nature of the plant, its care and the conditions in which it is kept. Your statutory rights remain unaffected.
Picea ‘super blue’
Slow growth, so you have plenty of time to admire it ⏳
- Silvery-blue foliage
- Regular conical crown
- Slow growth
- Evergreen presence
Picea ‘super blue’ seems to hold a little of a clear winter sky between its branches. Silvery-blue needles surround the shoots, giving the outline a fine, luminous texture while deeper shadows lend depth within. The leading tip rises quietly above successive layers of branches. Beside stone and the greens of the garden, it becomes a distinctive point of reference that draws the eye without needing flowers. The contrast between bright outer needles and the darker interior gives the blue crown a clear presence throughout the seasons.
Its colour has the charm of a cool brushstroke within a warm composition. Soft whites look clearer beside it, while dark greens gain depth. The symmetry remains natural, with small differences between branches that keep the picture alive. It can stand alone like a small sculpture or bring height and rhythm to a group of contrasting foliage plants.
What makes it special
Silvery-blue needles, successive branch layers and a clear conical line that remains visible throughout the year.
A cone built in layers
A central leader guides upright growth, while the side branches form successive horizontal layers.
Presence beyond the flowering season
Evergreen foliage maintains colour and structure when surrounding flowering plants enter their resting season.
Why you will love it: it brings a luminous silvery-blue vertical line to the garden, with enough natural detail to reward a closer look.
In the garden & on the balconyPlacement & plant combinationsConical silvery-blue crown · sunny position · allow approximately 1.5m of clear width
A luminous point of reference
Place it where the entire cone can be seen, without taller plants hiding the base. Allow at least approximately 1.5m of crown width and room for further growth. Choose a bright, airy position and avoid corners where walls or paving reflect intense heat.
Silver, white and deep green
Lower plants with clear outlines let the cone take the lead. Keep neighbouring plants beyond the future crown and provide good drainage throughout, adjusting irrigation to each plant’s needs.
- Festuca glauca ‘Elijah Blue’ — low tufts of fine blue foliage repeat the cool colour at the drier, sunny edge.
- Erica carnea ‘Springwood White’ — white winter flowers at a low level, in cool, well-drained soil.
- Juniperus horizontalis ‘Blue Chip’ — horizontal blue-green growth highlights the contrast with the upright cone; allow ample space between them.
Care at a glance
Light
Sun supports clear colour and good growth. In warm regions, avoid reflected heat and hot, drying winds.
Watering
Water thoroughly when the soil begins to dry. Maintain even moisture during establishment without waterlogging.
Climate & hardiness
Very winter hardy, rated RHS H7. Frost hardiness does not mean that prolonged extreme summer heat is beneficial.
Safety
An ornamental plant, not for consumption. The stiff needles are sharp; wear gloves and keep branches away from narrow paths.
Detailed careComplete care guideEight practical points: Light & position, Watering, Soil, Feeding, Pruning, Foliage checks, Planting & pots, Growing space.
Light & position
Choose sun and good air circulation. Plant away from very hot surfaces and leave the leading tip and sides of the crown unobstructed.
Watering
Check moisture below the surface before watering. New plantings and pots need more frequent checks than an established plant in the ground.
Soil
Provide deep, well-drained soil that retains some moisture, preferably acidic to neutral. Avoid strongly calcareous soils and sites that flood.
Feeding
If needed, apply a modest conifer feed in spring at the rate on the packaging. Do not try to overcome naturally slow growth through excessive feeding.
Pruning
The conical form develops naturally. Remove only dead or broken branches and avoid cutting the leader or clipping deeply into bare old wood.
Foliage checks
Look for aphids, fine webbing and stippled or brown needles. If damage reaches young tips, check moisture and drainage as well as possible pests.
Planting & pots
Plant at the existing soil level without burying the trunk base. A pot must drain freely and should increase in size gradually as the roots develop.
Growing space
Allow approximately 3m in height and 1.5m in spread as an indicative established garden size.
Development over timeSilvery-blue structure through the seasonsFresh spring tips, gradually developing branch layers and an evergreen winter crown.
Spring extension
New shoots lengthen at the branch tips and add young, paler needles.
Maturing colour
The growth gradually hardens and joins the silvery-blue crown. Colour intensity may become more pronounced as a young plant develops.
Winter outline
The needles remain on the branches and the cone retains its layered structure without seasonal bareness.
Form & indicative garden dimensions
established garden plantIndicative height approximately 3mIndicative spread approximately 1.5mLayered conical crown
An indicative established garden form around 3m tall and 1.5m wide. Age, propagation method and growing conditions influence eventual development.
Form through time
two real statesFresh spring tipsSilvery-blue winter foliage
Spring tipsNew growth continues the lines of the branches.
Winter silverThe evergreen crown remains luminous and clearly conical.
The cone and horizontal branch layers retain the same architecture. Seasonal differences concern shoot extension and the age of the needles.
What to expect after planting: The regular cone becomes clearer with age. The silvery-blue shade is not identical in every plant and is not a colour that appears only in winter.
History & originCultivar originThe story behind its distinctive character.
The name ‘Super Blue’ leads back to the silvery-blue spruces associated with Picea pungens from the mountains of western North America. The species became valued in cultivation for its firm needles and glaucous tones. Within that colour range, the name ‘Super Blue’ emphasises strongly blue foliage.
The appeal of these spruces travelled from mountain landscapes into ornamental gardens through the distinctive colour of their needles. A strongly glaucous form brings a different kind of brightness among green foliage. Silvery tips and darker interior branching retain that connection with the species’ character, even within a carefully designed planting.
Greenleaf for Plant NerdsScience nobody asked forBotanical details for anyone curious about what lies behind the plant’s appearance
Blue as a surface effect
The needles of Picea pungens have a waxy surface. Their glaucous, silvery-blue appearance is associated with this coating, which changes how light returns from the green leaf. Rubbing the needles therefore does not improve their colour and may disturb the surface effect.
Four sides to one needle
A Picea pungens needle is approximately four-sided in cross-section, with rows of stomata on its surfaces. Stomata allow gas exchange for photosynthesis, alongside water-vapour loss. The needles attach individually around the twig, producing its dense radial texture.
Frequently asked questions
Six answers about colour, form, growing space and a suitable position.
01Is it blue only in winter?
No. Silvery-blue foliage is a defining feature of the selection and remains throughout the year. Fresh growth and the age of the plant can influence its tone.
02Does it need clipping to become conical?
No. Growth naturally forms a cone with a central leader and successive side branches. Cutting the leader can alter that shape.
03How much room does it need?
Allow approximately 3m in height and 1.5m in spread as an indicative established garden size, with possible variation as it ages.
04Can it grow in a pot?
Yes, while there is adequate root space and consistent attention to moisture and drainage. The 23cm pot is its current supplied size, not a permanent limit on growth.
05Will it suit a very hot terrace?
A terrace with reflected heat, drying wind and rapidly drying soil is unsuitable. Choose a bright but cooler microclimate with air circulation and controlled moisture.
06What do brown young tips mean?
This is not the usual renewal of older inner needles. Check moisture, drainage and possible pests before treatment or additional feeding.
📦 Your plant travels protected
Every order is prepared with care so your plant arrives upright, secure and safe.
Individual protection
Plants in pots with a capacity of 3 litres or more are placed in individual boxes that hold the pot securely and reduce the risk of tipping over.
Sturdy packaging
We use reinforced cardboard designed to protect against impacts and vibration during transport.