Abies balsamea Piccolo

<strong>The tall, noble fir known by its Latin name <em>Abies</em> remains a key element of a successful Christmas atmosphere</strong> in the image of the <a href="https://en.promessedefleurs.eu/shrubs/conifers/conifers-by-variety/abies/abies-nordmanniana-subsp-nordmanniana-munsterland-fir.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nordmann fir</a>. It symbolises, through its verticality, the link between earth and sky, thus celebrating renewal since its cutting originally corresponded to the winter solstice according to a Celtic tradition. <strong>These evergreen conifers, with slow growth, have the advantage of retaining their needles longer than the common spruce</strong> (<em>Picea abies</em>) when displayed in the living room. Contrary to spruces, <strong>the often-flat branches of fir bear supple needles, soft to the touch</strong> <strong>and upright cones,</strong> whereas spruces have sharp needles arranged spiralled all around twigs and pendulous cones. Firs display aromatic needles ranging from <strong>dark green as in </strong><a href="https://en.promessedefleurs.eu/shrubs/conifers/conifers-by-variety/abies/abies-nordmanniana-subsp-nordmanniana-munsterland-fir.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><em>Abies nordmanniana</em></strong></a> or <strong><em>Abies omorika</em></strong> to <strong>bluish-grey</strong> <strong>as in</strong> the noble fir (<em>Abies procera, syn. nobilis</em>). Cones are very decorative, especially on the <strong>Korean fir, a modest-sized fir</strong>, rather bushy, reaching 9 m in height and <strong>producing cones</strong> from a young age <strong>of a beautiful blue-violet colour</strong>. <strong>Firs most often benefit from slow growth</strong> except for a few exceptions such as Vosges fir (Abies alba), whose initially slow growth suddenly accelerates from its 6th year, reaching 1 m per year to produce a tree 45 m tall. Giant fir (Abies grandis) is a "phenomenon" capable of growing 16 m in 20 years and reaching 90 m on Vancouver Island. <strong>Offered cultivars are of modest size ranging from 0.50 to 6 m in height with varied habits: bushy, globose, conical to pyramidal.</strong> <strong>Firs are generally very hardy and fond of cool conditions</strong>, which they seek out and find in upland areas or by the seaside. Easy to grow in the garden, <strong>they most often require fresh, deep, well-drained soil and a sunny or semi-shaded aspect</strong>. Aphids exude a honeydew on their needles much appreciated by bees, producing <strong>an excellent honey</strong>. <strong>Firs, with some exceptions, tolerate little pollution and high heat.</strong>