Picea pungens 'Frieda' / Frieda Colorado blue spruce

Picea pungens 'Frieda' is a highly desirable, miniature globose selection of Colorado spruce with very short, dense, radial braching; and short, dark, steely Blue needles. After 10 years of growth, a mature specimen will measure 18 inches (45 cm) tall and 30 inches (75 cm) wide, an annual growth rate of 1 to 2 inches (2.5 - 5 cm).

This cultivar originated as a seedling selected in the early 1990s by Franz Etzelstorfer of Pregarten, Austria. He named the plant in honor of his wife. When searching for this conifer, it is critical to choose a rooted versus a grafted specimen, as grafting miniature Colorado spruces often results in much more vigorous plants that grow contrary to the intended form.