Lakeshore Garden Centres Plant Finder

Other Names:  Kristallkugel, Crystal Mirror

Description:

A beautiful dwarf variety that grows extremely slowly to form a mounded ball; it has short and wide needles that rotate around the shoots, showing white undersides; ideal for a rock garden, particular as to siting

Ornamental Features

Crystal Ball Korean Fir is a dwarf conifer which is primarily valued in the garden for its interestingly mounded form. It has emerald green foliage with white undersides. The needles remain emerald green throughout the winter.

Landscape Attributes

Crystal Ball Korean Fir is a dense multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with a mounded form. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.

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.

Crystal Ball Korean Fir is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Mass Planting
• Rock/Alpine Gardens
• General Garden Use

Planting & Growing

Crystal Ball Korean Fir will grow to be about 18 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 18 inches. It tends to fill out right to the ground and therefore doesn't necessarily require facer plants in front. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 60 years or more.

This shrub does best in full sun to partial shade. It requires an evenly moist well-drained soil for optimal growth. 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 selected variety of a species not originally from North America.

This plant is not reliably hardy in our region, and certain restrictions may apply; contact the store for more information.