Picea pungens ‘Ruby Teardrops’ Colorado Spruce

‘Ruby Teardrops’ Colorado Spruce is a charming dwarf tree with a colorful surprise every spring. It is easy to care for and as hardy and blue as its parent, Colorado Blue Spruce (Picea pungens). This unusual variety was discovered at Fisher Farms in Gaston, Oregon, in the 2000s and was named the ‘Collectors Conifer of the Year’ in 2016 by the American Conifer Society. ‘Ruby Teardrops’ is one of our favorites and an excellent choice as an easy-care, bright addition to a garden.
This little tree is slow-growing at 2″ to 4″ per year in a spreading spherical shape. It can attain a size of 2′ × 3′ in 10 years and is considered one of the bluest dwarf Colorado spruces. The blue color is most vivid when the young needles first emerge in the spring, after which they soften to a light blue in the summer. What sets this tree apart is its striking ruby-red cones that form at the branch tips and contrast with the blue needles, making it a unique, impressive showpiece. Depending on the temperature, the red cones last for more than two months before they turn a tan color and disintegrate. Cold temperatures in its hardiness zones 3 to 8 will extend the display of red cones. With its year-round blue color and red cones in the spring, it provides interest every season.
‘Ruby Teardrops’ does best in full sun and grows in most soil types as long as they are well-draining. It needs to be watered thoroughly at planting and then regularly the first year until it is established. After that, it will become drought-tolerant and only need watering during extended periods of dry weather. Growing it in a container will require more frequent watering since the soil in a pot dries out quicker than the soil in the garden ‘Ruby Teardrops’ is an excellent choice as a specimen plant for small areas like rock, urban, or balcony gardens, in mixed borders, containers, or as foundation plantings.
Dark green evergreens planted behind and around ‘Ruby Teardrops,’ such as pines, hemlocks, arborvitae, hollies, yews, junipers, and cherry laurels provide a contrast that will make the blue color stand out year-round. Flowering shrubs, like hydrangeas, viburnums, rhododendrons, azaleas, abelias, and weigelas, furnish contrast and a pop of color against the blue needles. In mixed borders and rock gardens, perennials such as lilyturf, Michaelmas daisies, lithodoras, dianthus, and peonies are attractive planted nearby.
Aside from its stunning color, ‘Ruby Teardrops’ is a low-maintenance, drought-tolerant, once-established, deer and rabbit-resistant tree. It’s a winner in all respects, providing beauty to any garden.