The Bizon Blue Spruce, a specific cultivar of the Colorado Blue Spruce (Picea pungens ‘Bizon Blue’), offers a striking presence in many landscapes. This evergreen conifer is celebrated for its vibrant foliage and distinctive form, making it a popular choice for gardeners seeking a resilient and visually appealing tree.
Distinctive Characteristics
The Bizon Blue Spruce is recognized for its intense, vivid steel-blue needles, which are consistently bright and considered among the most vibrant of grafted blue spruces. This brilliant coloration extends to both new and old growth, maintaining its striking appearance throughout the year. The needles are short, sharp, and densely arranged, contributing to its lush, full look.
This cultivar develops a tight, pyramidal shape with a strong central leader and short, horizontal branches. Its dense, symmetrical branching creates a formal, conical outline that typically does not require staking to maintain its attractive form. While its growth habit is slightly slower than other blue spruce species, it still achieves a moderate growth rate. Mature specimens can reach heights of 30 to 60 feet and spreads of 10 to 20 feet, offering substantial vertical interest in a landscape.
Planting Your Bizon Blue Spruce
Successful establishment of a Bizon Blue Spruce begins with careful site selection. This tree thrives in full sun exposure, although it can tolerate very light shade. Well-drained soil is important, with preferences ranging from loam to sandy or rocky compositions. A soil pH that is slightly acidic to neutral provides an optimal environment for root development.
When preparing to plant, dig a square hole that is wider than the tree’s root ball and of the same depth. Loosening the soil at the base and sides of the hole with a fork promotes easier root expansion. Position the tree so the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding soil surface, then backfill with excavated soil, gently firming it around the root ball to eliminate air pockets. Following planting, water the tree thoroughly to settle the soil and continue regular watering for at least the first year to encourage root establishment.
Ongoing Care and Maintenance
Once established, the Bizon Blue Spruce is considered low-maintenance, requiring minimal pruning due to its naturally clean and tight shape. Any necessary pruning, such as removing dead, damaged, or crossing shoots, is best performed in spring. While established plants can tolerate some drought, they benefit from occasional deep watering during dry periods. Consistent moisture is particularly important during prolonged dry spells to support healthy growth.
Fertilization can be beneficial in early spring using an evergreen blend, though it is not always a strict requirement. A layer of organic mulch, such as shredded bark or wood chips, around the base of the tree helps to conserve soil moisture, regulate temperature, and suppress weeds. Maintain a mulch depth of 2-4 inches, keeping it a few inches away from the trunk to prevent moisture buildup and potential issues.
Common Issues and Solutions
Bizon Blue Spruce can face certain common issues, particularly when environmental conditions are not ideal. Fungal diseases like Rhizosphaera needle cast are prevalent, causing needles to turn purple or brown and eventually drop, often starting on lower branches and progressing upward. Cytospora canker, another fungal disease, typically affects older trees and manifests as scattered branch dieback, often with the presence of sticky white sap or resin on cankered areas.
Prevention is a primary control method for many diseases; ensuring proper planting conditions and maintaining overall tree health can reduce susceptibility. Infected branches should be pruned out to limit disease spread. Environmental stressors such as drought and heat can exacerbate problems, making adequate watering during dry periods important. The Bizon Blue Spruce has shown resistance to spruce decline and verticillium wilt.
Landscaping Applications
The Bizon Blue Spruce’s distinctive color and formal, pyramidal growth make it a versatile choice for various landscaping designs. It serves as an excellent specimen tree, creating a strong focal point in both formal and informal garden settings. Its dense foliage and substantial mature size also make it well-suited for creating effective privacy screens or windbreaks when planted in a row.
This conifer integrates well into mixed evergreen groupings, providing a vibrant color contrast with other plants. It can be used as part of foundation plantings or to flank entrances, enhancing architectural features. The Bizon Blue Spruce also contributes reliable structure and year-round interest to a landscape, especially in winter garden designs.