Alberta spruce ‘Sander’s Blue’ (2L)

Alberta spruce ‘Sander’s Blue’ Picea glauca ‘Sander’s Blue’ is a lovely dwarf conifer that adds cool blue tones to gardens. This neat evergreen is a special form of white spruce, prized for its beautiful blue-green needles that keep their colour throughout the year. The ‘Sander’s Blue’ naturally grows into a tidy, cone-shaped form without needing any pruning, which makes it perfect for gardeners who want something easy to look after.

This variety grows quite slowly, usually reaching around 2-3 metres tall after 10 years, with a width of roughly 1 metre. Its small size works brilliantly in compact gardens, rock gardens, or planted as a feature in mixed beds. The thick, upright habit also makes it useful for creating natural barriers or shelter in windier spots.

The blue-green needles on ‘Sander’s Blue’ are quite short and firm, arranged in spirals along the branches. This creates a full, rich look that stays attractive through every season. When spring arrives, fresh growth appears in a paler, almost silver-blue tone, which looks brilliant against the older leaves.

Alberta spruce ‘Sander’s Blue’ works well in our climate, doing best in full sun or light shade. It’s a tough tree that handles cold weather well and deer tend to leave it alone, so it’s great for country gardens. The small size and gentle growth make it ideal for pots too, which is handy for patios or small outdoor spaces.

This tree brings structure and colour that lasts all year. Its blue-green shade creates a cool backdrop that makes other plants really pop, helping flowers and foliage nearby look their best. If you want to add some evergreen colour, create an easy-care feature, or bring a bit of alpine charm to your space, Alberta spruce ‘Sander’s Blue’ is a flexible and appealing option.

Alberta spruce ‘Sander’s Blue’ is fairly easy to care for, making it suitable for gardeners of all levels. Plant it in well-drained, slightly acidic soil in a spot that gets full sun to partial shade. While it prefers consistent moisture, established plants can handle short dry spells. Water deeply during dry periods, especially in its first few growing seasons. Apply a layer of mulch around the base to help retain moisture and suppress weeds, but keep it away from the trunk to prevent rot. ‘Sander’s Blue’ doesn’t need regular pruning to maintain its shape, but you can lightly trim it in late winter or early spring if desired. Feed with a slow-release, balanced fertiliser in spring to promote healthy growth.

Ultimate height
0.5–1 metres

Time to ultimate height
10–20 years

Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres

🇬🇧 UK grown in Lancashire – Supplied about 20cm – 4ocm tall in 2 litre pots.