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The coniferous evergreen plant Abies Concolor belongs to the Pine family. In the mid-19th century, English traveler and naturalist William Lobb saw a tree in California. A few years later, the culture was included in the botanical reference book by British biologist George Gordon. For the design of the territory, many varieties have been created based on Abies Concolor, differing in shape and size.
Description of Concolor fir
The natural range of the concolor fir is North America. It grows as a single plant or in small groups; it does not form continuous fir forests. Found in mountainous areas or along river banks. A perennial plant with a well-developed crown belongs to the tall species. The height of single-color fir reaches 40–60 m.
External description of the single-color fir shown in the photo:
- The crown has a regular conical shape, with a wide diameter of the lower branches.
- The bark is smooth, rough, with shallow vertical cracks, light green in color with a gray tint.
- The skeletal branches grow horizontally, the upper part is slightly raised.
- The needles are large - up to 6 cm, flat, narrow at the base, widening upward, non-thorny. It is evenly colored on the upper and lower sides in gray with a greenish-blue tint. Needles grow in two rows horizontally.
- The cones are oval-shaped, purple, 11 cm long, arranged vertically. Formed once every 3 years.
Single-color fir is the most drought-resistant representative of its species and resists gusts of wind well. Suitable for growing in temperate climates. The buds bloom after the threat of return frosts, so the crop is not damaged by frost. The monochromatic conifer tolerates low temperatures well and winters safely in the central zone of Russia.
Single-color fir is unpretentious to the composition of the soil, so it can grow on saline soils and loams. For planting, preference is given to deep sandy loam. The culture feels comfortable within the city; growth is not affected by air pollution. It takes root quickly after transplantation. Prefers open areas, the plant loves light. Up to 6 years it gives a slight increase, then the growth increases, at the age of 15 years the plant reaches its end point. The duration of the biological cycle is within 320 years.
Single-color fir in landscape design
High varieties of single-color fir and its dwarf single-color varieties are used by designers in the design of adjacent park areas, administrative buildings, and facades of private estates.Particularly popular are single-colored species with blue colored needles.
Tall trees are used in single plantings in large compositions near monuments, sculptures, and large rockeries. They draw up:
- the central part of large flower beds and lawns;
- front entrances of administrative buildings;
- walking part of recreation areas, squares and parks;
- microdistricts of megacities;
- playgrounds for children's institutions;
- city alleys;
- the perimeter of sanatoriums and holiday homes.
The evergreen monochromatic crop does not change color throughout the year; it favorably emphasizes the yellow color of autumn larches if planted against their background.
Dwarf varieties of single-color fir with a large number of cones of various colors are used for decoration:
- rock garden;
- low rock garden;
- heather plantings;
- gazebos;
- banks of reservoirs;
- garden paths.
Conifers look aesthetically pleasing surrounded by flowering plants.
Varieties of single-color fir
Based on the type of single-color fir, various varieties were created for landscape decoration. They do not reach high sizes and have a decorative crown. There are representatives that grow up to 9 m; the variety is also represented by dwarf varieties. Several representatives of the same color fir are grown in Russia.
Fir unicolor Violacea
One of the tallest growing representatives of the species is the single-color fir Violacea, which grows up to 8 m. In the first years of the growing season it gives good growth and forms a narrow pyramidal, fluffy crown.
Of the blue representatives of the Violacea species, the most popular variety is:
- The needles are thick, steel-colored with a blue tint.
- As it grows, it changes shape, the lower branches become long, forming a wide base of a strict cone.
- The first row of skeletal branches is formed quite low, giving the impression that they are lying on the ground.
- The needles are 6 cm long, flat, soft, with a square end, non-prickly, and have a lemon scent.
- The cones have the shape of an elongated oval. At the initial stage of ripening they are green, then change color to dark red, the size of the cones is 13 cm.
Single-color fir Violacea is frost-resistant, light-loving, and is used in design in group compositions and single plantings.
Single-color fir Compacta
Single-color fir of the Compact variety reaches a height of 60 cm. This dwarf variety is frost-resistant, adapted to the climatic conditions of a temperate climate and the air pollution of megacities.
External characteristics of single-color fir:
- the crown is dense, grows unevenly, and has the shape of a round cylinder;
- the needles are long, hard, dark silver in color with a bluish tint;
- the cones are round, small, 3 cm in diameter, resinous, yellow-green;
- the branches are thick, with an uneven surface, growing at an angle in different directions;
- it is possible to form two peaks.
This variety gives a small annual growth (3 cm).
Single-color fir Compacta is used in almost all design projects. Due to its small height and volume (0.6 m), it can be grown in a pot on the veranda or balcony.
Single color fir Archers Dwarf
Decorative dwarf tree, reaches 1 m in height, crown volume – 0.7 m. A popular variety of single-color fir among gardeners and designers.
The crop is planted as a single tree in the center of flower beds and lawns. They design rock gardens and rockeries.Mass planting along the garden path creates the impression of an alley. External description:
- the shape of a lush cone, the crown is dense, uniform green-blue;
- the needles are thin, long (75 mm), curved, rounded apex;
- young shoots of olive color with a minimum number of needles;
- the trunk and skeletal branches are dark ash, the bark is hard, thick with longitudinal grooves;
- The cones are round, slightly elongated upward, 15 cm long, 6 cm wide, at the beginning of growth they are dark green, when ripe they become brown.
Single-color fir Archers Dwarf is a frost-resistant, light-loving crop; in the shade, growth slows down and the crown loses its decorative effect. Does not tolerate cold wind. Does not take root well after transplantation.
Other varieties and forms of single-color fir
Single-color fir Abies Concolor in Russia is represented by several tall-growing and dwarf varieties:
- Konika – a dwarf species, grows up to 2 m, forms a narrowly conical crown shape. The needles are short, thin, up to 4 cm in size. The color of the crown is rich green with a dark blue tint. The plant is shade-loving, frost-resistant, and does not tolerate drying out of the soil.
- Winter Gold – fir grows up to 15 m, forms long needles up to 7.5 cm. The needles are yellow-green, the color gives the variety its name Winter Gold. Fir is demanding on soil composition and grows on fertile loamy soil. Does not tolerate high humidity, frost-resistant.
- Extra – blue fir with beautiful lush needles, grows up to 20 m, the crown volume is wide – 4–5 m. The plant is heat-loving, does not tolerate shade, and is frost-resistant. Prefers a sandy loam composition with a high level of mineral compounds.
In central Russia you can find frost-resistant fir Aurea.The tree grows up to 8 meters, the crown is lush, with a classic cone shape. The needles are short, at the base they are colored light green, softly turning into a beige-golden hue. The tree looks as if illuminated by the bright sun.
Planting and caring for single-color fir
For fir and its varieties, the planting site is chosen in accordance with the varietal characteristics. Most species prefer open areas, loamy, fertile soils. Temporary shading is not scary for culture. Soil moisture is not suitable for all varieties; for some of them, waterlogging is detrimental.
Preparing seedlings and planting area
Before placing the fir, the area is dug up and mineral fertilizers are applied. The site does not require special preparation. The root system of the tree is deep; the top layer of soil feeds the fir only in the first year of growth. The hole is dug 20 days before planting:
- They make a recess 85 cm wide, 60 cm wide, the parameters are standard, the size depends on the volume of the root system.
- Drainage is placed at the bottom, gravel or small stones are used.
- Prepare a mixture of clay, sand, sawdust, and add nitroammophoska.
- Fill the hole ½ part.
- Water with plenty of water.
A seedling purchased from a nursery must not be younger than 4 years old. If planting is carried out with rooted cuttings or layering, you can take a two-year-old plant. Before planting, remove dry branches and damaged root fragments. Place for 30 minutes for disinfection in a manganese solution.
Rules for planting single-color fir
Work is carried out in the spring from mid-April to May or in September. Algorithm of actions:
- A hill is placed in the center of the depression.
- A seedling is placed on it.
- The root is evenly distributed over the hole.
- Cover with the mixture, compact the root circle, and water.
Watering and fertilizing
Young seedlings are watered using the sprinkling method. One procedure every 14 days is enough. Watering is stopped if seasonal precipitation is normal. Mature single-color fir is not watered; it has a deep root system, so the crop receives the necessary moisture from the soil.
Fertilizing is carried out in the third year of fir growth before the start of sap flow. They use the product “Kemira”, and in the fall they fertilize the plant with complex mineral fertilizers.
Mulching and loosening
To prevent a crust from forming, loosening the soil around a young single-color fir is carried out regularly; the root system needs a constant supply of oxygen. Weeding is carried out if necessary, remove weeds, preferably with roots.
Mulch the root circle after planting, increase the layer of mulch in the fall, and renew it in the spring. Use sawdust, peat or crushed tree bark. The root collar is not covered.
Trimming
The crown is formed in accordance with the design decision. Basically, the tree does not require pruning; it has a beautiful, lush decorative shape. In the spring, when the crop is dormant, cosmetic pruning of dry branches is done if necessary.
Preparing for winter
An adult tree is given moisture-recharging irrigation at the end of autumn, 2 weeks before the onset of frost. The layer of mulch is increased for seedlings. If severe frosts are expected, the fir is covered with spruce branches or wrapped with covering material. The culture is frost-resistant, so a correctly selected variety of single-color fir will overwinter safely.
Reproduction of Concolor fir
You can propagate single-color fir yourself by seeds or cuttings. For ornamental species, planting with seeds is rarely used. Not all varieties retain the appearance of the mother plant. The generative method takes longer and the planting material does not always sprout. Concolor fir and its varieties are most often propagated by the vegetative method - cuttings or layering.
Varieties with low-lying branches are able to take root on their own; in the spring, part of the layering is cut off and placed in the ground. In early spring, cuttings 7–10 cm long are cut from young one-year-old shoots. The material takes about two years to take root; seedlings grow slowly. The optimal planting method is with seedlings purchased from a nursery.
Diseases and pests
Abies Concolor fir is affected by fungal infections that cause root rot (variegated, white, red-brown rot). The infection spreads to the trunk, then to the branches. At the site of colony formation, voids form, the needles turn yellow and fall off. At the early stage of the disease, the fir is treated with “Topsin” or “Fundazol”; if the infection cannot be stopped, the tree is cut down and removed from the site so that the fungus has not spread to other crops.
Hermes fir is a parasite on fir. The larvae of a species of beetle aphid feed on needles. To get rid of the pest, the following measures are carried out:
- fragments of needles - the main place where insects accumulate - are cut off;
- the tree is sprayed with insecticides;
- The trunk and branches are treated with copper sulfate.
Spider mites are less common and can be eliminated by using the product “Actofit”.
Conclusion
The evergreen single-color fir and its decorative varieties are used for the design of personal plots, recreation areas, and front entrances. Single-color forms are planted for landscaping urban neighborhoods and playgrounds of children's institutions. Varieties of monochromatic crops are frost-resistant, light-loving, and feel comfortable in urban conditions.
