Blue Teardrop White Spruce

Light Needs

Mature Height

Mature Spread

Growing Zones

The Blue Teardrop White Spruce (Picea glauca 'Blue Teardrop') is a compact, slow-growing dwarf conifer with a naturally refined pyramidal form that resembles a teardrop or miniature Christmas tree. Its very short, dense needles display a striking blue-green to silvery-blue color, and small reddish-brown cones provide a warm contrast against the cool foliage. At maturity, this cultivar reaches approximately 6 to 10 feet tall and 3 to 8 feet wide, a manageable size for a wide range of landscape settings. It is exceptionally cold hardy and well suited to gardens across much of the United States and Canada.

Blue Teardrop White Spruce is an excellent choice for foundation plantings, rock gardens, conifer collections, and spots near entries or patios where a tidy, year-round evergreen presence is needed. Its fine texture and blue-green color pair well with stone, brick, and darker evergreens. The compact size makes it suitable for planting under power lines and in smaller yards where a full-size spruce would be impractical. This cultivar is also deer resistant and tolerant of wind and drought once established.

Blue Teardrop White Spruce Care

Site Blue Teardrop White Spruce in a location that receives full sun, meaning at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. It adapts to a variety of soil types, including clay, but performs best in moist, well-drained soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. Apply a layer of mulch around the base to help retain soil moisture and regulate soil temperature, keeping the mulch clear of the trunk. Feed this spruce once a year in the spring with a slow-release, balanced fertilizer to support healthy growth.

Keep the soil evenly moist during the first growing season to help Blue Teardrop White Spruce establish a strong root system. Once established, water deeply during extended dry periods, as the plant develops good drought tolerance over time. Very little pruning is required, as this cultivar holds its neat, natural shape without much intervention. When pruning is necessary, trim only the new growth of the current season or remove any dead or damaged branches, preferably in spring.

Blue Teardrop White Spruce Spacing

Space Blue Teardrop White Spruces at least 5 to 8 feet apart to allow room for each tree to reach its full spread without crowding. Its compact size makes it a practical fit for smaller yards, foundation beds, and areas near walkways or patios. Because of its slow growth rate and tidy form, it works well as a single specimen or planted in groupings alongside other dwarf conifers for year-round interest.

Simple Plant Spacing Calculator

Planting Shape

Rectangle Circle Known Area

Length (ft)

Width (ft)

Diameter (ft)

Or enter radius below

Radius (ft)

Known Area (sq ft)

Plant Spacing On-Center (in)

Pattern

Square (grid) Triangular (staggered)

Fill edge gaps (max plants)

Enter area to see results.

Visual Preview

Print / Save PDF

Powered by