Picea pungens 'Fat Albert'

Colorado Blue Spruce

Fat Albert Colorado Blue Spruce (Picea pungens ‘Fat Albert’) forms a full pyramid of blue needles around a naturally upright leader. Its evenly developed branches give young trees a balanced shape that remains a defining feature as they grow.

This is a substantial landscape tree rather than a permanently small dwarf. Its strong color and regular outline make it an effective specimen in an open lawn or a large evergreen planting. Allow space for the spreading base and continued height growth.

Plant in sun with well-drained soil and water during establishment. Cool, relatively dry climates suit Colorado spruce better than hot, humid summers.

Approximate garden size
• Width: 15 ft; larger with age
• Height: 25 ft; larger with age

Hardiness
• Hardy to USDA Zone 2; upper limit varies with climate

Best Uses
• Specimen
• Privacy Screen
• Accent Plant

Plant type

Conifer, Evergreen Tree

Height

25 ft+

Width

15 ft+

Hardiness zones

2–7

Sunlight

Full Sun

Growth rate

Fast

Bloom time

Does not flower

Flower color

None

Leaf color

Blue

Fall color

Blue

Soil

Moist well-drained

Landscape use

Accent Plant, Privacy Screen, Specimen

Shape

Dense, Pyramidal

Bark

Fissured

Fruit

Yes

Fragrant

No

Deer resistant

Yes

Salt tolerant

Yes

Drought tolerant

No