Sunday December 17th
Posted by Alistair on Sunday, December 17th, 2006
Relatively hard frost has finally set in, probably wont be too long before we see some snow.
In the run up to Christmas, if you have been searching for a living Xmas tree one to seriously consider is Abies Koreana. A small conical Fir with shiny dark green leaves which are silver underneath.
The main reason for choosing this Fir which is slower growing than most, is that it makes a fantastic garden specimen. As soon as the Christmas period is over get it planted out.
Most outstanding of all about Koreana is the cylindrical violet-blue cones early to mid Summer which adorn even very young trees. Fully hardy, grow in fertile, moist but well drained soil, neutral to slightly acid, position in full sun.
Although described in many publications as a small tree, with a final height of thirty feet it may well outgrow the spot where you position it, description also suggests that growth is slow. Mind you, eight years ago I planted one of these trees in my neighbours garden in their west facing border, it has now reached a height of twelve feet. I now wished that I had positioned it elsewhere, as eventually it will create unwelcome shade in our garden.
That should teach me a lesson, in my book a small tree should be one that reaches no more than twenty feet. However make no mistake, placed well this specimen is a remarkable sight.
Abies Koreana
Filed in Other subjects | No responses yet