Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Type
Needled or Scaled Evergreen
Tree
Origin
Western United States
Mid-Atlantic United States, Southeastern United States, Central United States, South-Central United States
Habitat
Rocky areas, stream banks, Woodland Garden Canopy
bottomlands, Depression on prairies, ditches, Floodplains, Riverbanks, stream banks, Swamps
USDA Hardiness Zone
2-8
4-9
Sunset Zone
A2, A3, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17
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
Oval or Rounded
Flower Color
-
Yellow, Brown
Flower Color Modifier
-
Bicolor
Leaf Color in Spring
Green, Blue Green, Steel Blue
Green, Light Green
Leaf Color in Summer
Green, Blue Green, Steel Blue
Green, Light Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Green, Blue Green, Steel Blue
Yellow, Light Yellow, Tan
Leaf Color in Winter
Blue Green, Steel Blue
-
Leaf Shape
Needle like
Oval with a pointed tip and fine teeth along their edges
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Growth Rate
Very Slow
Fast
Type of Soil
Clay, Loam, Sand
Clay, Loam, Sand
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Acidic, Neutral
Soil Drainage
Well drained
Average
Tolerances
Drought
Wet Site, Pollution, Soil Compaction
Where to Plant?
Container, Ground, Pot
Ground
How to Plant?
Grafting, Seedlings, Semi-ripe cuttings
Seedlings
Plant Maintenance
Medium
Low
Watering Requirements
Average Water Needs, Do Not over Water, Requires regular watering
Requires a lot of watering, Requires regular watering
In Summer
Lots of watering
Lots of watering
In Spring
Moderate
Moderate
In Winter
Average Water
Average Water
Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Acidic, Neutral
Soil Type
Clay, Loam, Sand
Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil Drainage Capacity
Well drained
Average
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Pruning
Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves
Prune in the late winter or spring, Remove dead or diseased plant parts, Shape and thin as needed
Fertilizers
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, No need to fertilize every year
Pests and Diseases
Aphids, Canker, Needle rust, Scale
Aphids, Red blotch, Sawfly Larvae
Plant Tolerance
Drought
Pollution, Soil Compaction, Wet Site
Fragrant Bark/Stem
Yes
No
Foliage Texture
Fine
Medium
Foliage Sheen
Matte
Matte
Attracts
Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
-
Aesthetic Uses
Showy Purposes, Used as Christmas tree
Showy Purposes
Environmental Uses
Air purification, Windbreak
Erosion control, Wildlife
Part of Plant Used
Flowers, Inner Bark, Seeds
Whole plant
Other Uses
Paper pulp, Wood is used in construction
used for making roof trusses, poles, joists, piles, Used in construction, Used in Furniture
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
Feature Plant, Shade Trees
Botanical Name
PICEA pungens 'Baby Blue Eyes'
BETULA nigra
Common Name
Dwarf Blue Spruce
River Birch
In Hindi
Dwarf Blue Spruce
River Birch
In German
Dwarf Blue Spruce
Fluss Birch
In French
Dwarf Blue Spruce
Birch river
In Spanish
Enano Blue Spruce
river Birch
In Greek
Νάνος Blue Spruce
ποταμός Birch
In Portuguese
Anão Blue Spruce
river Birch
In Polish
Dwarf Blue Spruce
Rzeka Birch
In Latin
Blue dwarf Spruce
Betula
Phylum
Coniferophyta
Magnoliophyta
Class
Pinopsida
Magnoliopsida
Family
Pinaceae
Betulaceae
Clade
-
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids