Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Type
Needled or Scaled Evergreen
Perennial
Origin
Western United States
Southeastern United States, North-Central United States, Central United States, South-Central United States, Southwestern United States, Texas, Canada, Mexico
Types
Blue Spruce
Ratibida columnifera
Habitat
Rocky areas, stream banks, Woodland Garden Canopy
Dry areas, Prairies, Rocky areas, rocky outcrops
USDA Hardiness Zone
2-8
3-10
Sunset Zone
A2, A3, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17
A1, A2, A3, H1, H2, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Habit
Pyramidal
Upright/Erect
Flower Color
-
Yellow, Purple, Burgundy, Light Green, Brown
Flower Color Modifier
-
Bicolor
Leaf Color in Spring
Green, Blue Green, Steel Blue
Light Green, Gray Green
Leaf Color in Summer
Green, Blue Green, Steel Blue
Light Green, Gray Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Green, Blue Green, Steel Blue
Light Green, Gray Green
Leaf Color in Winter
Blue Green, Steel Blue
Light Green
Leaf Shape
Needle like
Subulate
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Summer
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Full Sun
Growth Rate
Very Slow
Fast
Type of Soil
Clay, Loam, Sand
Loam, Sand
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Neutral
Soil Drainage
Well drained
Well drained
Bloom Time
-
Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer, Late Summer
Tolerances
Drought
Drought
Where to Plant?
Container, Ground, Pot
Ground
How to Plant?
Grafting, Seedlings, Semi-ripe cuttings
Seedlings
Plant Maintenance
Medium
Medium
Watering Requirements
Average Water Needs, Do Not over Water, Requires regular watering
Average Water Needs, Water in morning to avoid prompting diseases
In Summer
Lots of watering
Lots of watering
In Spring
Moderate
Moderate
In Winter
Average Water
Average Water
Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Neutral
Soil Type
Clay, Loam, Sand
Loam, Sand
Soil Drainage Capacity
Well drained
Well drained
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Full Sun
Pruning
Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves
Cut or pinch the stems, Pinch Tips, Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead flowers, Remove dead leaves, Remove dead or diseased plant parts, Remove deadheads
Fertilizers
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, Apply N-P-K
Pests and Diseases
Aphids, Canker, Needle rust, Scale
Pests and diseases free, Red blotch
Plant Tolerance
Drought
Drought, Dry Conditions, Dry soil, Full Sun
Flower Petal Number
-
Single
Fragrant Bark/Stem
Yes
No
Foliage Texture
Fine
Fine
Foliage Sheen
Matte
Matte
Attracts
Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Birds, Butterflies
Aesthetic Uses
Showy Purposes, Used as Christmas tree
Borders
Environmental Uses
Air purification, Windbreak
Air purification
Medicinal Uses
-
Analgesic
Part of Plant Used
Flowers, Inner Bark, Seeds
Flowers
Other Uses
Paper pulp, Wood is used in construction
Can be made into a herbal tea, Used in making tea
Used As Indoor Plant
No
No
Used As Outdoor Plant
Yes
Yes
Garden Design
Container, Feature Plant, Foundation, Mixed Border, Rock Garden, Wall, Screening, Wind Break
Container, Cutflower, Mixed Border, Wildflower
Botanical Name
PICEA pungens 'Baby Blue Eyes'
RATIBIDA columnifera
Common Name
Dwarf Blue Spruce
Mexican Hat
In Hindi
Dwarf Blue Spruce
Mexican Hat
In German
Dwarf Blue Spruce
Mexican Hat
In French
Dwarf Blue Spruce
Mexican Hat
In Spanish
Enano Blue Spruce
mexican Hat
In Greek
Νάνος Blue Spruce
Mexican Hat
In Portuguese
Anão Blue Spruce
Mexican Hat
In Polish
Dwarf Blue Spruce
Mexican Hat
In Latin
Blue dwarf Spruce
Mexicanus Hat
Phylum
Coniferophyta
Tracheophyta
Class
Pinopsida
Magnoliopsida
Family
Pinaceae
Asteraceae
Clade
-
Angiosperms, Asterids, Eudicots