concolor fir

Coniferous evergreen fir one-color (Abies Concolor) belongs to the Pine family. In the middle of the XNUMXth century, the English traveler and naturalist William Lobb saw a tree in California. A few years later, the culture was introduced into the botanical reference book by the British biologist George Gordon. For the design of the territory on the basis of Abies Concolor, many varieties have been created that differ in shape and size.

Description of fir Concolor

The natural range of the single-color Concolor fir is North America. It grows as a single plant or in small groups, does not form continuous fir forests. Found in mountainous areas or along river banks. A perennial plant with a well-developed crown belongs to tall species. The height of the single-colored fir reaches 40–60 m.

External description of the monochrome fir shown in the photo:

1. The crown has a regular conical shape, with a wide diameter of the lower branches.
2. The bark is smooth, rough, with shallow vertical cracks, light green in color with a gray tint.
3. Skeletal branches grow horizontally, the upper part is slightly raised.
4. The needles are large – up to 6 cm, flat, narrow at the base, expanding upwards, non-thorny. Uniformly colored from the upper and lower sides in gray with a greenish-blue tint. Needles grow in two rows horizontally.
5. Cones are oval, purple, 11 cm long, arranged vertically. Formed once every 1 years.

Single-color fir is the most drought-resistant representative of its species, it resists gusts of wind well. Suitable for growing in temperate climates. The buds open after the threat of a return frost, so the culture is not damaged by frost. The one-color ephedra tolerates low temperatures well, winters safely in the Central strip of Our Country.

Single-color fir is unpretentious to the composition of the soil, therefore it can grow on saline soils, loams. For planting, preference is given to deep sandy loam. Culture feels comfortable within the city; growth is not affected by air pollution. Roots quickly after transplanting. Prefers open areas, photophilous plant. Up to 6 years it gives a slight increase, then growth increases, at the age of 15 years the plant reaches the end point. The duration of the biological cycle is within 320 years.

Fir monochrome in landscape design

High varieties of one-color fir and its dwarf one-color varieties are used by designers in the design of the adjacent territory of park areas, office buildings, facades of private estates. One-color species with blue needles are especially popular.

Tall trees are used in single plantings in large compositions near monuments, sculptures, overall rockeries. They make out:

• the central part of large flower beds and lawns;
• main entrances of administrative buildings;
• walking part of recreation areas, squares and parks;
• microdistricts of megacities;
• playgrounds for children’s institutions;
• city ​​alleys;
• perimeter of sanatoriums and rest houses.

An evergreen monochromatic culture does not change color throughout the year, favorably emphasizes the yellow color of autumn larches, if planted against their background.

Dwarf varieties of single-colored fir with a large number of cones of various colors are used for decoration:

• rock garden;
• a low rock garden;
• heather plantings;
• gazebos;
• banks of reservoirs;
• garden paths.

Conifers look aesthetically pleasing, surrounded by flowering plants.

Single color fir varieties

Based on the type of single-colored fir, various varieties were created for landscape design. They do not reach high sizes and have a decorative crown. There are representatives growing up to 9 m, the variety is also represented by dwarf varieties. In Our Country, several representatives of the same color fir are grown.

White fir Violacea

One of the high-growing representatives of the species, Violacea single-colored fir, grows up to 8 m. In the first years of vegetation, it gives good growth, forms a narrow pyramidal, fluffy crown.

 Of the blue representatives of the Violacea species, the most popular variety is:

1. The needles are dense, painted in steel color with a blue tint.
2. As it grows, it changes shape, the lower branches become long, form a wide base of a strict cone.
3. The first row of skeletal branches is formed quite low, it seems that they lie on the ground.
4. Needles 6 cm long are flat, soft, with a square end, non-prickly, have a lemon smell.
5. The cones have the shape of an elongated oval. At the initial stage of ripening, they are green, then they change color to dark red, the size of the cones is 13 cm.

Fir single color Violacea frost-resistant, photophilous, used in design in group compositions and single plantings.

Fir single color 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 air pollution in megacities.

External characteristics of a single-color fir:

• the crown is dense, grows unevenly, has the shape of a rounded cylinder;
• the needles are long, hard, dark silver with a bluish tinge;
• cones are round, small, 3 cm in diameter, resinous, yellow-green;
• branches are thick, with an uneven surface, grow at an angle in different directions;
• it is possible to form two peaks.

This variety gives a small annual growth (3 cm).

Fir monochrome Compacta is used in almost all design projects. Due to its small size and volume (0,6 m), it can be grown in a pot on a veranda or balcony.

White fir Archers Dwarf

Decorative bonsai, reaches a height of 1 m, crown volume – 0,7 m. A popular variety of one-color fir among gardeners and designers.

The culture is planted as a single tree in the center of flower beds, lawns. Decorate rock gardens and rockeries. Mass planting along the garden path creates the impression of an alley. External description:

• the shape of a magnificent cone, the crown is dense, uniform green-blue;
• the needles are thin, long (75 mm), curved, the tip is rounded;
• 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 furrows;
• cones are rounded, slightly elongated upwards, 15 cm long, 6 cm wide, dark green at the beginning of growth, when ripe they turn brown.

Single-color fir Archers Dwarf is a frost-resistant, light-loving culture, growth slows down in the shade, the crown loses its decorative effect. Does not tolerate cold winds. Poorly rooted after transplantation.

Other varieties and forms of single-color fir

One-color fir Abies Concolor in Our Country is represented by several high-growing and dwarf varieties:

1. Conic – a dwarf species, grows up to 2 m, forms a narrow-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, does not tolerate drying out of the soil.

   

2. Winter Gold – fir grows up to 15 m, forms long needles up to 7,5 cm. The needles are yellow-green in color, the color gave the name to the Winter Gold variety. Fir is demanding on the composition of the soil, grows on fertile loamy soil. Does not tolerate high humidity, frost-resistant.

   

3. Extra – blue fir with beautiful lush needles, grows up to 20 m, the crown volume is wide – 4-5 m. The plant is thermophilic, does not tolerate shade, frost-resistant. Prefers sandy loam composition with a high index of mineral compounds.

   

In the central strip of Our Country, you can find the frost-resistant Aurea fir. The tree grows up to 8 meters, the crown is lush, classic cone-shaped. The needles are short, at the base it is painted in a light green color, gently turning into a beige-golden hue. The tree looks like it is lit by the bright sun.

Planting and caring for single-color fir

For fir and its varieties, a landing site is chosen in accordance with varietal characteristics. Most species prefer open areas, loamy fertile soils. Temporary shading for culture is not terrible. Soil moisture is not suitable for all varieties, for some of them waterlogging is fatal.

Seedling and planting preparation

Before placing fir, the site is dug up, mineral fertilizers are applied. The site does not require special preparation. The root system of the tree is deep, the topsoil nourishes the fir only in the first year of growth. They dig a hole 20 days before planting:

1. They make a recess of 85 cm, 60 cm wide, the parameters are standard, the size depends on the volume of the root system.
2. Drainage is placed at the bottom, gravel or small stones are used.
3. A mixture of clay, sand, sawdust is prepared, nitroammofoska is added.
4. Fill the hole ½ full.
5. Watered with plenty of water.

A seedling purchased from a nursery must not be younger than 4 years old. If planting is carried out with a rooted cutting or layering, you can take a biennial plant. Before planting, dry branches and damaged root fragments are removed. Placed for 30 minutes for disinfection in a solution of manganese.

Rules for planting single-color fir

Work is carried out in the spring from mid-April to May or in September. Action algorithm:

1. A hill is poured in the center of the recess.
2. A seedling is placed on it.
3. The root is evenly distributed over the hole.
4. Fall asleep with a mixture, compact the root circle, water.

Watering and top dressing

Young seedlings are watered by sprinkling. One procedure every 14 days is enough. Watering is stopped if seasonal precipitation is normal. Adult single-colored fir is not watered, it has a deep root system, so the culture receives the necessary moisture from the soil.

Top dressing is carried out in the third year of fir growth before the start of sap flow. Apply the “Kemira” agent, fertilize the plant with complex mineral fertilizers in the fall.

Mulching and loosening

To prevent the formation of a crust, the loosening of the earth around a young monochrome fir is carried out regularly, the root system needs a constant supply of oxygen. Weeding is carried out if necessary, weeds are removed, preferably with a root.

Mulch the root circle after planting, increase the layer of mulch in the fall, and renew in the spring. Use sawdust, peat or crushed tree bark. The root neck is not covered.

Trimming

The formation of the crown is carried out in accordance with the design decision. Basically, pruning is not required for a tree; it has a beautiful, lush decorative shape. In the spring, when the culture is at rest, if necessary, cosmetic pruning of dry branches is done.

Preparation for winter

An adult tree is given moisture-charging watering at the end of autumn 2 weeks before the onset of frost. Seedlings increase the layer of mulch. If severe frosts are expected, fir is covered with spruce branches or wrapped with covering material. The culture is frost-resistant, therefore, a properly selected variety of one-color fir will safely overwinter.

Reproduction of fir Concolor

One-color fir can be propagated independently by seeds or cuttings. For ornamental species, seed planting is rarely used. Not all varieties retain the appearance of the mother plant. The generative method is longer and the planting material does not always sprout. Concolor fir and its varieties are 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 root for about two years, seedlings grow slowly. The best planting method is a seedling 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 the formation of a colony, voids form, the needles turn yellow and fall off. At an early stage of the disease, fir is treated with “Topsin” or “Fundazol”, if the infection could not be stopped, the tree is cut down and removed from the site so that the fungus has not spread to other crops.

Parasites on fir Hermes fir. The larvae of the beetle aphid species feed on pine needles. To get rid of the pest, the following activities are carried out:

• fragments of needles – the main place of accumulation of insects are cut;
• the tree is sprayed with insecticides;
• the trunk and branches are treated with copper sulphate.

Spider mites are less common, they get rid of it using Aktofit.

Conclusion

The evergreen fir culture is one-color and its decorative varieties are used for the design of personal plots, recreation areas, front porches. One-color forms are planted for landscaping urban microdistricts and playgrounds for children’s institutions. Varieties of a single-color culture are frost-resistant, photophilous, and feel comfortable in urban conditions.