Abies koreana Oberon - Korean Fir

Abies koreana 'Oberon' is a dwarf variety of Korean fir that has particularly short needles and a very dark green colour. Initially ball-shaped, this conifer rises over time to form a small, somewhat irregular, compact, and fairly wide but elegant pyramid. The small, prominent white buds that form at the end of the branches in winter contrast well with its dark foliage. With very slow growth and small size, this fir is perfect for small gardens, rock gardens, or in containers, in well-drained, moist soil, sheltered from excessive sunlight. 

The Korean fir, in Latin Abies koreana, is a conifer of the pine family. This species is native only to the mountains of extreme southern Korea and has become rare in its home country. This small conifer reaches a height of 6 to 9 m (20 to 29ft) in its natural environment and has a compact habit. The cultivar 'Oberon' is a small horticultural selection. Its annual growth is around 5 cm (2in). The "young" plants, up to 10 years old, have a very dense, more or less irregular, ball shape. They measure around 60 cm (24in) in all directions. Its branches are remarkably thin and highly divided. As a stronger and more vertical branch develops on older plants, this conifer gradually takes on a more conical habit. The lateral branches vary in size, giving the vegetation an irregular appearance. Ultimately, "Oberon" generally reaches 1.50 m (5ft) in height by 0.8 to 1 m (3ft) in width. The foliage consists of very short, fairly wide, and flexible needles, very dark green on the upper side and lighter on the underside. Small white buds form in late winter, which will produce young shoots in a lighter green in spring. 

Abies koreana 'Oberon' is ideal for small gardens thanks to its slow growth and small size. With its fir-tree shape and no need for pruning, it will work well in a rock garden, planted as a solitary specimen. This variety is also well suited for container cultivation on a terrace. Its shape fits well with Japanese-inspired, contemporary, or more classic styles. The architectural qualities of dwarf conifers deserve to be invited more often into our gardens, where they provide permanent structure. These are rather discreet plants in summer but become prominent again in winter when flowering is rare. They mark pathways, line terraces, and accentuate the corners of large shrub borders. To accompany the Korean fir Oberon, choose, for example, a ground-covering conifer such as Juniperus Blue Carpet, or a variety that forms a ball, such as Pinus mugo Varella. Grasses complement conifers very well. Consider Stipa tenuifolia, Pennisetum Hameln Gold, or Miscanthus Apetitiv, for example.