Plant Pick: Spanish fir, Abies pinsapo

Published 8:33 am Wednesday, January 4, 2012

WHAT: Spanish fir, or Abies pinsapo, has striking foliage, waxy, with stiff needles around the branchlets giving it an interesting texture.

WHY PLANT IT: It’s dark bluish foliage contrasts with dark green native conifers, making it a focal point in medium to large garden settings. It is disease resistant and easy to grow.

WHERE: Spanish fir, native to southern Spain and northern Morocco, performs best in full sun and is drought tolerant once established.

HOW: It grows well in acidic or alkaline soils. Provide good drainage and some water in summer during very dry years.

ACTUAL SIZE: Spanish fir is slow growing and reaches 15 feet in 10 years. It eventually matures to more than 60 feet tall with a 30-foot spread.

LEARN MORE: See www.greatplantpicks.org.