Abies concolor ('Violacea Compacta') 'COMPACTA' dwarf white fir
size/type
medium-sized shrub,medium-sized shrub
usual height
1-2m
usual width
1-2m
leaves
evergreen conifer
colour of leaves
flowers
insignificant or non-blooming
location
full to partial sun
USDA zone (lowest)
3 (down to -40°C)
winter protection
for zone 5+6
for zone 7
categorized
White fir is a popular conifer of Czech and Slovak gardens and parks. It is demanded for its glaucous foliage colour. Nurseries take good care to select only the seedlings that have the most attractive colour because this fir occurs naturally in the range of dark green where only the young shoots are light green or turquoise to silvery blue. Compacta is a variety first described by German botanist Ludwig Beissner of Ludwigslust in 1891. He named it Violacea Compacta and it took over 30 years when it was first introduced to nursery trade in 1923. Possibly in en effort to simplify the nomenclature the name was shortened to only Compacta which modern dendrology approved.
Description of the plant:
Compacta is a dwarf version of popular Violacea white fir. It has bright silvery blue, sickle-like needles which turn only one shade darker when mture. They are soft to touch, borne erect on strictly horizontal branches. Young plants are stiffly upright, very dense, forming a miniature of a Christmas tree. 10-year-old plant measures only about one meter tall and 50-60 cm wide. As the plants grow older they lose the conical habit and spread. Shaping and trimming is possible best in early spring, just bear in mind that the plant grow very slowly making only some 5-8 cm per year so think twice before any radical pruning.White fir will grow in almost any well drained soil, from slightly alkaline to acidic. The soil should be humus-rich and moist when transplanted but once established it can take long periods of drought. Grow it in full sun for best colour or in light shade. Fully hardy to -40°C (USDA zone 3) and suitable for outdoor containers.
Last update 16-01-2017
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