Skinny Blue Genes™ Black Hills Spruce

Skinny Blue Genes™ is a dense, narrow Black Hills spruce with a strong cone shape and rich blue needles. Its roughly 25-foot height and 8-foot spread suit a sunny specimen position where a broad spruce would take too much room. Garden Debut identifies the selection as ‘Westervelt’ PP29825 and gives USDA Zone 2. ## Form and placement The evergreen crown gives a year-round vertical accent and can also anchor a small group of conifers. Plant where the mature width has room to develop; avoid crowding it against a building or path. The exact [Garden Debut plant profile](https://www.gardendebut.com/plant/Skinny-Blue-Genes-Black-Hills-Spruce) lists sun exposure, blue foliage, and an upright dense habit. It also describes drought tolerance, which is best treated as a quality of established plants rather than a reason to skip watering after planting. ## Growing conditions Choose an open sunny site with soil that drains freely. Water consistently through establishment, then adjust during prolonged dry or windy weather. Avoid chronically waterlogged ground. The plant’s strong leader and naturally conical outline generally need little shaping. ## Maintenance Mulch over the root zone without piling material against the trunk. In late winter or early spring, remove only dead, damaged, or crossing branches and preserve the central leader. Water during extended drought, especially while the tree is young.