Description:

A truly dwarf evergreen conifer presenting bluish-green needles with a silver cast; a very compact and dense variety, ideally suited for general garden use; requires moist soil and humid growing conditions, best with shelter against drying winds

Ornamental Features

Silver Plume Douglas Fir is a dwarf conifer which is primarily valued in the garden for its ornamental globe-shaped form. It has attractive silver-variegated bluish-green foliage. The needles are highly ornamental and remain bluish-green throughout the winter.

Landscape Attributes

Silver Plume Douglas Fir is a dense multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with a more or less rounded form. It lends an extremely fine and delicate texture to the landscape composition which should be used to full effect.

This is a relatively low maintenance shrub. When pruning is necessary, it is recommended to only trim back the new growth of the current season, other than to remove any dieback. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Silver Plume Douglas Fir is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Mass Planting
• General Garden Use

Planting & Growing

Silver Plume Douglas Fir will grow to be about 24 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 24 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 to a ripe old age of 100 years or more; think of this as a heritage shrub for future generations!

This shrub should only be grown in full sunlight. It requires an evenly moist well-drained soil for optimal growth, but will die in standing water. It is not particular as to soil type, but has a definite preference for acidic soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution, 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.