White fir 'Violacea'

White fir 'Violacea' – a highly ornamental cultivar of white fir. The bluest of the blue firs. In appearance it resembles Picea pungens 'Glauca'. Native to southwestern America. In cultivation since 1879. Can live for more than 150 years.

It is a fast-growing tree 6-8 (10-12) m in height and 4.5-7.5 m in width. Annual growth can reach 30-40 cm. At 10 years it reaches 1.5 m in height and 70 cm in width. The crown in youth is sharply conical, later becoming broadly pyramidal and loose. Branches are held at an acute angle. Bark is gray, with deep longitudinal grooves.

Buds are blunt, resinous, yellow-green, burst late, so the fir avoids spring frosts.

Needles are needle-like, flat, upcurved, soft, bright bluish-white, 5-6 cm long, with a lemon scent.

The plant is monoecious. Female strobili are green, male ones are red.

Cones are ovoid-cylindrical, 5-15 cm long, light brown or slightly reddish.

Hardiness: 3a-7b (-30°C).

Site: Prefers sunny locations but can tolerate partial shade. Can grow on loams and sands. Cold-hardy, drought-resistant, and also resistant to smoke, tolerant of urban conditions. Protection from cold winter wind is necessary.

Planting: in alley plantings the recommended distance between trees is at least 4-5 m, in dense groups – 2.5 m, in loose groups – 3-3.5 m. Optimal planting times: spring in April, autumn – late August through September. Minimum planting pit size: 50x50x60 cm. The root collar should be at ground level. Recommended soil composition: peat, sand, clay, leaf soil or humus in the ratio 1:1:2:3. On heavy soils drainage is mandatory – place broken brick or crushed stone at the bottom of the pit in a 20 cm layer. When planting it is recommended to add nitroammophoska in the amount of 250-300 g per hole and 10 kg of sawdust. Optimal planting age is 5-10 years.

Care: in the 2nd-3rd year after planting it is recommended to apply Kemira-Universal (150 g/m²). Loosen the soil to a depth of 25-30 cm. Mulch the trunk circle with sawdust, peat or wood chips in a 5-8 cm layer. Young plants need to be covered with fir boughs in severe winters.

Pruning: sanitary pruning is carried out in early spring.

Pests and diseases: aphids, root rot, rust

Propagation: propagated by seeds, cuttings, grafting. Seed propagation shows a fairly high percentage of inheritance of decorative traits.

Uses: widely used in groups, as a Christmas tree, as a screen or for bonsai. Used for urban landscaping and for decorating parks and gardens.