Picea pungens 'FAT ALBERT' Colorado spruce

Although Colorado spruce originates in the Rocky Mountains of Canada and the USA, it has been in wide cultivation in Europe and its colder regions. Fat Albert is a US selection introduced by the Iseli Nurseries in 1981. It was named after a character from the cartoon series Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids, obviously with Bill Cosby’s voice.

Fat Albert Colorado spruce is a well-behaved boy that is a little fat. It grows symmetrically, rather slowly, into a conical shape with a fat base. The needles are bright steel blue and cover the branches all around. They are evergreen, prickly, and do fall off in older age. It grows some 20-30 cm per year and is evenly branched without any significant pruning. Young plants shoot up the central leader, using most of their energy for growing lower branches first, hence its reference to “fat”, any only later producing more lateral branches along the leader. Trimming, however, is possible – best in early spring. Mature plants are expected to reach about 4m.

Spruce is widely soil adaptable provided the soil is well-drained. It likes neutral to slightly acidic soil and full sun. No fertilizing is necessary. Fully hardy to about -40°C (USDA zone 3).

Last update 09-02-2013