Dzeloņainā egle Picea pungens glauca "Iseli Fastigiate" 50 cm

• Type: evergreen conifer, columnar blue spruce
• Botanical name: Picea pungens "Iseli Fastigiate"
• Height and spread: 3–5 m, spread 1–1.5 m; slow-growing
• Needles: stiff, sharp, 2–3 cm, blue-grey
• Light: full sun
• Soil: fertile, moist to moderately dry; tolerates clay, sand and chalk
• Hardiness: very hardy, USDA 3 (to −40 °C)
• Use: specimen, accent, narrow spaces, avenues, large container
• Size: about 50 cm

Planting. Plant in spring or from late August to September in full sun – in shade the blue colour fades. Dig a hole twice the width of the root ball and keep the root collar level with the soil. Water well after planting.

Watering and feeding. In the first year water deeply once a week in dry weather, later only in prolonged drought. Feed in spring with a conifer fertiliser; in autumn use only a nitrogen-free autumn feed.

Care. No pruning needed – the columnar shape holds by itself. Remove any dead branches. Mulch the root zone with bark or conifer litter to keep the soil moist and weed-free.

Gardener's tip. If the leader is damaged, choose one strong upright shoot as the new leader and tie it gently to a cane – this keeps the spruce narrow with a single top. Water generously in late autumn before the ground freezes.