Plant Database

Other Names:  Subalpine Fir, Rocky Mountain Fir

Description:

A medium sized accent evergreen with deep green colored needles all year long, good for adding a distinctive form to the shrub garden; note that it will eventually grow quite large

Ornamental Features

Green Globe Alpine Fir is a dwarf conifer which is primarily valued in the landscape or garden for its decidedly oval form. It has dark green evergreen foliage. The needles remain dark green throughout the winter.

Landscape Attributes

Green Globe Alpine Fir is a dense multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with a shapely oval form. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other landscape plants with less refined foliage.

This is a relatively low maintenance shrub, and should not require much pruning, except when necessary, such as to remove dieback. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Green Globe Alpine Fir is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• General Garden Use

Planting & Growing

Green Globe Alpine Fir will grow to be about 12 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 10 feet. It tends to fill out right to the ground and therefore doesn't necessarily require facer plants in front, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live to a ripe old age of 100 years or more; think of this as a heritage shrub for future generations!

This shrub does best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in sandy soils. It is quite intolerant of urban pollution, therefore inner city or urban streetside plantings are best avoided, and will benefit from being planted in a relatively sheltered location. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This is a selection of a native North American species.