Picea pungens 'Iseli Fastigiate' (Columnar Blue Spruce, Colorado Spruce, Iseli Fastigiate Colorado Spruce)


Michael's Opinion

With its attractive colour and dense foliage, this tree acts as a lovely specimen while not occupying too much space. With the needles at the shoot tips being shorter than those at the base; it gives the tree a pleasing, unique, aesthetic look. Its tolerance to drought, pollution, salt and warmer climates compared to other cultivars of this species makes P. pungens ‘Iseli Fastigiate’ an overall great tree to add to the landscape.

Botanical Information

FamilyPinaceae
GenusPicea
Speciespungens
Cultivar'Iseli Fastigiate'
CategoryWoody
TypeTree (evergreen)
ReferencesDirr, Michael A. Manual of Woody Landscape Plants. Champaign, IL: Stipes Publishing, 2009. Print. Gilman, E. "Picea pungens ‘Iseli Foxtail’ ‘Iseli Foxtail’ Colorado Spruce." University of Florida. N.p., Oct 1994. Web. 6 Mar 2012.
OriginHorticultural origin.
Pronunciation

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone3 - 7
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness Zone3b - 7a
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness ZoneH7
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)-37 - (-15)
Temperature (°F)-35 - 5
Height9 - 15 m
Spread3 - 6 m
GrowthMedium
Flowering PeriodMarch

Description and Growing Information

General DescriptionUpright-pyramidal conifer with dense, attractively coloured foliage. Synonymous with ‘Iseli Foxtail’.
ID CharacteristicBranches grow with the needles at the tips being smaller than those at the base. A look similar to that of a fox's tail.
ShapeA broad, fastigiate-pyramidal form with dense foliage.
LandscapeTypically used as a specimen tree and also serves as a suitable and attractive wind break.
PropagationGraft onto the understock of either P. pungens or P. abies in early winter.
CultivationThis plant is best cultivated in full sun and prefers rich, moist soils but does have some tolerance of drought, air pollution and salt. It prefers colder climates but tends to grow better in warmer climates than most P. pungens cultivars.
PestsSusceptible to spruce canker and rust, and be careful of spruce gall aphids, budworms, spider mites, and scales.
Notable SpecimensThe Gardens of Fanshawe College, London, Ontario, Canada, Royal Botanical Gardens, Burlington, Ontario, Canada, and Whistling Gardens, Wilsonville, Ontario, Canada.
HabitatHorticultural origin.
Bark/Stem DescriptionRough and unattractive, grey in colour.
Flower/Leaf Bud DescriptionApproximately 50 mm long, broadly conical with blunt tips that are yellow-brown in colour, arranged in whorls.
Leaf DescriptionBlue-green needles that are 2–3 cm in length, with the needles at the shoot tips being shorter than those at the base.
Flower DescriptionMonoecious with separate male (orange in colour) and female (green-purple in colour) strobili.
Fruit DescriptionOvoid, light yellow-brown or tan coloured cones approximately 6–12 cm in length with paper scales that have a truncated edge.
Colour DescriptionAttractive green-blue foliage with grey bark and tan coloured cones.
Texture DescriptionRough bark with dense, medium textured needles.

Photographs