Plant pick: Spanish fir

Published 4:16 pm Wednesday, December 10, 2008

What: Spanish fir, also known as abies pinsapo, has some of the most striking foliage of any conifer.

Why plant it? Its waxy appearance is unlike other fir with its stiff needles arranged radially around the branchlets, creating an interesting texture. “It has fabulous tactile qualities,” said Great Plant Picks member Ned Wells. Spanish fir’s bluish hue contrasts well with dark green foliage plants, including our native conifers. To get an even bluer hue, buy the Glauca variety of Spanish fir. It makes a distinctive focal point in medium- to large-scale settings. It is more disease-resistant than many other blue conifers and is easy to grow.

Where: It performs best in full sun and is drought-tolerant once established. It grows well in acidic or alkaline soil.

How: Ensure good drainage and provide some summer water during very dry years. It tolerates heat exceptionally well and has few pest and disease problems.

Actual size: It reaches 15 feet in 10 years and eventually matures to more than 60 feet tall with a 30-foot spread. It has a conical habit when young, becoming more columnar with age.

Learn more: See www.greatplantpicks.org.