Abies pinsapo, commonly called Spanish fir. (Great Plant Picks)

Great Plant Pick: Abies pinsapo

This stately and majestic specimen evergreen draws attention with its graceful yet rigid layered branches.

  • Friday, October 28, 2022 1:30am
  • Life

What: Abies pinsapo, commonly called Spanish fir, is a stately and majestic specimen evergreen that draws attention with its graceful yet rigid layered branches, narrow conical shape and unusual stiff green to slightly blue-green short needles. The non prickly needles are arranged radially around the branchlets which creates an interesting texture and is enticing to the touch. In early spring the branch tips are covered with surprisingly beautiful small violet-red pollen cones.

Where: Performs best in full sun with well-drained soil. The slow growth and disease resistance of this fir make it an excellent selection for urban plantings.

Size: Grows to 15 feet tall by 7 feet wide in 10 years.

Care: Once established, Spanish fir is drought- and heat-tolerant. It has no serious pest or disease problems. It is quite slow growing, but will eventually become a lovely graceful tree. Only prune broken or damaged branches and provide enough space for it to fully develop over the years.

— greatplantpicks.org

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