Abies procera Bizzarro - Fir

Abies procera 'Bizarro' is a dwarf form of the noble fir. It forms a small tree with an irregular habit, initially rounded then pyramidal, covered with distinctly bluish foliage with silver highlights. It grows prostrate on the ground, producing over time densely packed, tiered branches that make up a miniature fir tree. Hardy and slow-growing, it appreciates moist, non-chalky soils in sun or partial shade. Its slightly twisted silhouette is perfect for a rockery, a rocky slope, the decoration of a small Japanese garden or a beautiful pot.

Abies procera, sometimes called the noble fir, is a high-altitude conifer from the pinaceae family, native to the United States. It is found in the mountainous and humid regions of the Cascade Range, the coastal ranges of the Pacific from extreme northwestern California, through Oregon and the state of Washington. In nature, this species can reach heights of 40 to 70 metres (131 to 230 feet) and has a narrow conical habit.

'Bizarro' is a dwarf form that does not exceed 1.5 metres (5 feet) in height and 70 cm (28in) in width, after 10 years. This small tree has a short, straight trunk and irregular, low and widely spread branches. Its growth is very slow, it first forms a ball before developing a pyramidal branching structure. Its very fine needle-shaped leaves are an intense blue-green to silvery blue, rounded at their tips and spirally arranged on the stem, slightly twisted towards the top of the stem. The overall appearance is of small, soft and bright brushes. Its grey bark is smooth and covered with resin balls, becoming reddish-brown, rough and fissured on mature subjects.

Abies procera 'Bizarro' is ideal for filling the ground of a large rockery, a slope, or a small garden, thanks to its slow growth and small size. With its bonsai-like silhouette, it will work wonders in a Japanese garden, especially if planted in groups of 3. The architectural qualities of dwarf conifers naturally come into play in the design of a contemporary garden, which prefers the aesthetics of shapes, silhouettes and textures over that of flowers. These plants provide permanence, structurally enhance a bed, mark pathways, and border terraces, easily replacing the strong presence of trimmed boxwood. They serve as a backdrop for small roses, peonies, or tousled grasses with complementary forms. They can also be associated with ground cover plants such as aubrietas, ceraistes, and flowering shrubs. The key is to play with volumes and colours.