Spruce, which has the name Glauka Misty Blue, is quite common in the city. Here it is used to decorate parks, office buildings, squares, as well as private property: this prickly variety everywhere looks great. The article will discuss the description and features of growing Misty Blue blue spruce.

Botanical Description

The botanical description of spruce indicates the conical shape of the crown. Paws are densely located and have a proportional placement on the trunk. The needles have a specific bluish tint. Because of it, it sometimes seems that the green needles coated with wax are painted in steel color. The length of the needle is 2 to 3 cm.

This spruce develops slowly: in 10 years it can grow by only 5 m. By the age of 30 it can reach a height of 10–20 m. At the same time, the diameter of the crown increases: it is about 4–5 m.

Cones are always brown in color. Their size is a maximum of 10 cm. They contain seeds that are actively used for breeding new varieties of conifers. Over time, the color of the needles does not change, but more silver shades may appear in it.

Did you know? Scientists do not attribute cones to fruits. They believe that these are slightly deformed new shoots.

Origin of name

The name Picea Glauca Misty Blue consists of words from English and Latin. The word glauk is translated from Latin as blue. The phrase “Misty Blue” is the English name for the variety and means “blue fog”. Also in Latin there is the word "picea", which means "spruce". In the name of the tree there is the word "pungens" which means "prickly".The secret of the name of the described spruce is that the blue fog resembles the color of the needles, which attracts the eye of a person from afar: the tree seems to be shrouded in haze.

Video: Spruce Misty Blue

Landing

Planting of seedlings begins in most cases in late April or early May. Some gardeners argue that the most optimal time for planting is considered the end of summer, when high temperatures gradually decrease.

Spruce prefers to grow on sandy gravel or loamy soils. Its roots need a constant flow of air, which is impossible to achieve in the so-called heavy soils.

Important! Drainage is necessary to reduce the amount of moisture accumulating at the roots, — the spruce does not like its abundance and stagnation.

An open area is selected on the territory of the site, abundantly flooded with sunlight. It is recommended to plant spruce away from other plants: according to experts, they prevent the tree from fully developing.

If two or more seedlings are planted, the distance between them should not be less than 2 m. The hole is dug up with the calculation of the size of the root system. The recess should be 5-10 cm larger in diameter. Drainage is necessarily laid at the bottom. It can be crushed stone, broken brick or small pebbles. A seedling is installed on it in a strictly upright position.

It is recommended to fall asleep with a specially prepared composition:

• peat;
• land;
• sand.

After falling asleep with this mixture the root to the level of the root of the neck of the tree abundantly watered in a new place. Based on the above procedure, planting a blue spruce is quite simple. Any gardener can cope with it, even a beginner.

Growing conditions

In order for the planted seedling to take root in a new place, special conditions on the part of the person must be observed.

These are complex methods, which are:

1. Getting the tree normal lighting.
2. The optimal range of ambient temperatures.
3. Full and timely watering.

Did you know? The enemies of spruce are the people who cut them for the New Year and Christmas, and the wind. In order for a tree to turn into a New Year tree, it must grow for at least 30 years.

Glauka's blue spruce adores sunlight. If it finds itself in a constant shadow, it can significantly change the color of its needles: it is believed that this situation reduces the decorative properties. Also, this variety cannot stay in dry soil for a long time.

The irrigation procedure under normal conditions is carried out no more than 1 time in 7 days. Under the tree, it is recommended to make at least 12 liters of liquid. Seedlings require even more moisture, so watering is carried out more often. The main indicator of the need of spruce for water is the condition of the soil. For watering use a watering can or hose.

High ambient temperatures do not affect growth. The tree can easily withstand minor frosts. Since plant care is fairly simple, culture is often used in landscape design.

Spruce care

After planting, the seedling needs constant supervision. An additional recess is often created around its root system: it is used to evenly introduce water. To avoid evaporation, a mulching procedure is performed.

Peat is often used as mulch. Despite the fact that the variety tolerates cold winters, it is recommended to cover the roots in the first few years after planting in open ground. For this purpose, ordinary bag cloth or spruce branches are used.

Important! Insecticides can adversely affect the seedling, therefore, drugs suitable only for coniferous trees are used.

As the spruce develops, it will need additional protection from pests and diseases. It is very important to start this process immediately after planting in open ground. If specific orange spots appear on the needles that indicate a disease called rust, it is removed along with the branch and burned. To prevent the spread of the disease, the plant is additionally treated with Bordeaux fluid.

Similar inclusions of a brown shade indicate infection with a fungal infection. In this case, colloidal sulfur is used for spraying. An excellent means of combating diseases is considered a means of "Fufanon."

Spruce-fir hermes is considered the most common pest - this is a kind of aphid species. Any suitable insecticide is used for control. Among modern drugs, Ragor stands out. A similar method of control is used when the seedling is infected with a sawfly.

In addition to the above procedures, you will need to constantly carry out the following:

1. Top dressing. The first fertilizer application occurs at the time of planting. Further dressing is optional. Only at the beginning of spring, when new shoots begin to form on the branches, it is recommended to introduce a complex composition of useful microelements.
2. Pruning. Each year, a certain number of branches are removed. This process is called sanitary pruning. During this period, all paws that are damaged by diseases or pests or simply have dried out are removed. In extreme cases, pruning is allowed in the fall if the tree needs it. It is also necessary to remove branches when the spruce is used as a hedge - this will help form a crown. Such a procedure can be carried out only in young trees. If it reaches the age of 8 years, then pruning will not give the desired effect. A pruner is used as a tool, less often a saw.
3. Mulching and loosening. Spruce does not like when other cultures grow around it, including weeds. To avoid this, the soil is loosened, during which shoots of grass and bushes are removed. Also, this procedure will increase the flow of oxygen into the soil, which will positively affect the growth and development of blue spruce. Excessive deepening into the soil is not allowed, as the root may be affected. After this, it is necessary to introduce a certain amount of mulch: it will not only prevent the root system from drying out, but also provide some protection against the appearance of new weeds. Peeling, bark or sawdust are used for mulching.

If these care methods are followed, the spruce will delight the owner with its unique look over a long period of time.

The use of wood in landscape design

On your own site is allowed to create literally anything. In professional landscape design, spruce trees are often used to create restrictions on paths or alleys, and also as an element of decor called an alpine hill.

The considered blue spruce is ideal for the following options for the design of the site:

1. Rockery. The tree blends perfectly with stones and mosses.
2. Registration of the territory located in the immediate vicinity of the house.
3. A tree under which you can build a gazebo.
4. For the design of the shores of a small reservoir.
5. A tree that grows near a fence.
6. Combination of two varieties with different shades of needles is allowed.
7. Near a blue spruce, a lower grade can be planted.
8. In combination with juniper.

1- prickly spruce Misty Blue; 2- European larch Pendula; 3 - Thunberg's barberry Pink Queen; 4- juniper scaly Blue Carpet; 5- mountain pine Mops; 6- juniper Andorra Compact

Misty Blue's prickly blue spruce is a unique tree that will provide a special view of the surrounding area. Since it does not need thorough and constant care, it can be grown in almost any environment. However, compliance with the methods of fertilizing, spraying and mulching will allow you to create a truly unique design using this plant.