Abies koreana Silberlocke - Korean Fir

Abies koreana 'Silberlocke', also known as Korean fir, forms a magnificent bush with a pyramidal and dense habit. It bears regularly layered branches, and is covered in very curved needles with a silver underside, which attract light and attention. It produces beautiful upright cones, even on young plants, which are green at first, before developing a lovely powdery blue-violet hue. This small fir tree, with its moderate size and presence, will easily become the focal point of a large rock garden or a small garden, in cool but well-drained soil, sheltered from scorching sun.

The Korean fir is a conifer of the Pinaceae family, native only to the mountains of the extreme south of Korea, becoming rare in its country of origin. This conifer reaches in its natural environment a height of 6 m to 9 m (19.7 ft to 29.5 ft) and shows a compact habit. The cultivar 'Siberlocke' is the most famous of all, and rightly so, as it has real ornamental qualities. This conifer will not exceed 4 m (13.1 ft) in height with a spread of 2 m at maturity. Its growth is slow, reaching a height of 2 m (6.6 ft) in 6 years. It has a dense and pyramidal habit; its branches are regularly layered, with curved and pressed needles against the stem, displaying their silver underside while the shiny green upper surface is barely visible. This variety also stands out with its beautiful upright cylindrical cones, which are tender green at first, before turning a powdery blue-violet or grey-purple. The cones appear when the plant reaches about 1 m (3.3 ft) in height.

Abies koreana 'Silberlocke' is ideal for embellishing a large rock garden or reigning in a small garden thanks to its dense presence. With its majestic silhouette, it will work wonders in the centre of a bed of perennials and low-growing conifers, especially if planted in groups of 3. The visually striking qualities of conifers work well in a contemporary garden, which prefers the aesthetics of shapes, silhouettes, and textures to the gentle sway of flowers. These plants are a perfect alternative to trimmed boxwood or holly, and can be used to mark pathways or border terraces. They also add permanence to the structure of a flowerbed, and serve as a backdrop for roses, peonies, or tousled grasses. The key is to play with volumes and colours until you find the right effect.