With its elegant, pyramid-shaped silhouette and blue-grey needles, the blue spruce has made a name for itself as a magnificent Christmas tree. Reason enough to plant the shapely and undemanding conifer in the garden. Open questions about the skillful planting of a Picea pungens receive a practical answer here.
How do I plant a blue spruce correctly?
To successfully plant a blue spruce, choose a sunny location and loose, humus-rich soil with a pH of 6.5 to 7.5. The ideal planting time is in autumn, and make sure to prepare the soil well and plant at the correct depth so that the tree disc is just below the surface of the soil.
Are there any special location preferences to consider?
The blue spruce prefers a sunny location. The more sun rays reach the needle dress, the more intense the blue color is. In semi-shady to shady locations, there is a risk that the tree will shed its decorative needles in winter.
In which soil does the blue spruce grow?
The Norway spruce loves loose, humus-rich and well-drained soil. If you assign the conifer a place in fresh, moist soil with a pH value of 6.5 to 7.5, it will meet all expectations. For cultivation in pots, we recommend a structurally stable, high-quality pot plant soil (€18.00 on Amazon), enriched with compost and perlite respiration flakes.
When is it time to plant the Norway spruce?
Modern nurseries usually offer young blue spruces in containers. The advantage of this is that you can plant the tree throughout the entire growing season as long as the soil is not frozen. If you choose autumn as the planting time, you offer the tree ideal starting conditions in soil warm from the sun.
What should you pay attention to when planting?
Good soil preparation in combination with the right planting depth is the be-all and end-all. Dig the soil 2 spades deep and remove weeds, stones and roots. Meanwhile, the root ball is still potted in a bucket of water until no more air bubbles appear. How to plant the blue spruce correctly:
- Dig a planting hole with twice the volume of the root ball
- Enrich the excavation with leaf compost and rock dust
- Insert the potted root ball so deep that the tree disc is just below the surface of the soil
Tamp the soil well and water generously. A mulch layer of leaves, grass clippings or bark mulch promotes rapid rooting.
Tip
The blue spruce is quite rightly referred to as the Norway spruce. The 2 to 3 cm long, coarse needles are dangerously sharp. To ensure that the planting and care work on your gem does not become painful, please always wear sturdy gloves and protective goggles.
