Picea pungens 'Blue Stoplight' / Blue Stoplight Colorado Spruce

Picea pungens 'Blue Stoplight' is an irregular dwarf, flattened-globose selection of Colorado spruce with short, vividly blue foliage and compact growth. After 10 years of growth, a mature specimen will measure 12 inches (30 cm) tall and 16 inches (40 cm) wide, an annual growth rate of slightly more than 1 inch (2.5 cm).

This cultivar originated as a witch's broom found around 1990 by Justin "Chub" Harper on a tree in a traffic intersection in Moline, Illinois. In his notes Chub said that the broom was so nice that it could "stop traffic," hence the cultivar name.

Picea pungens 'Blue Stoplight' — a mature specimen in a private garden in Petaluma, California.
Photo by David Olszyk
Picea pungens 'Blue Stoplight' — a closeup of foliage detail.
Photo by David Olszyk
This picture is of the Picea pungens specimen in Moline, Illinois where Chub Harper found the original 'Blue Stoplight' witch's broom.
Photo by Dax Herbst
Circled is the witch's broom from which 'Blue Stoplight' originated.
Photo by Dax Herbst
Picea pungens 'Blue Stoplight' — the mother witch's broom.
Photo by Dax Herbst
Picea pungens 'Blue Stoplight' — a closeup of the original witch's broom.
Photo by Dax Herbst

Comments