Is this a species tree or cultivar of some variety?

The biggest issue, I suppose, is what part of the world you plan on doing this in. :-)

USDA zones for this are z2 through z5.

Well-draining soil is a common requirement for many types of conifers. And moisture levels for these are around medium for them to grow well.

They grow like weeds around my neck of the woods and seed themselves readily.

Here's a link to the ACS with information about this tree.

https://conifersociety.org/conifers/picea-glauca/

^^^ They can grow perfectly well in higher zones (common species in my climate as a planted ornamental) provided not exposed to high heat or summer humidity.

That's good to know GG.

We do sometimes get a few high 90's during mid-summer and that's in amongst the mid to upper 80's norm, and I've never seen these get needle cast or other fungi.

The more established ones I have, recently endured semi-drought with little irrigation, the last few years and haven't seen anything bad to speak of.

Almost a carefree tree in my location. :)

based on this pic.. im not even sure i can confirm its a glauca ...

where are you.... big city name ... . and who is distributing plants.. trees.. in cell bags in january????

one thing for sure.. they are not house plants.. and will not thrive indoors for very long at all ... nor in pots ...

just FYI .. presuming it is a glauca.. this is its future.. plant accordingly :

https://duckduckgo.com/?t=ffab&q=picea+glauca+forest&iax=images&ia=images

based on those pix.. im sure you can understand why there arent pots large enough .. lol...

the lesson here.. is to NEVER use common names ... and as suggested above .. once you figure out is picea glauca.. there are literally millions of articles on said tree ... its a very important wood product.. millions of them are planted every year ... jinx on millions...

ken

They can struggle in eastern NA z6. Better in z5 & cooler. One tree that is more likely to be hurt by summer temps too high, instead of winter temps too low.

If you don't see any growing anywhere around the area you plan on planting these, that would be a 'red flag' imo.