Korean Fir(Abies koreana) is a very decorative tree with a conical shape and slow growth. It is valued for its two-color needles and very nice blue cones. See whatKorean fir cultivationlooks like in the garden, choose the best gardenvarieties of Korean firand learn how to reproduce this tree. Here's everything you need to know before you decide to grow Korean fir!
Korean fir (Abies koreana)
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The ornamental value of Korean firis difficult to overestimate.This tree, which comes from the mountainous areas of South Korea, has a regular, conical shape. Its needles are quite short (1-2 cm), stiff and two-colored (green and shiny on the top, and white on the underside). The most delightful, however, areKorean fir cones , which are initially purple-blue, but with time change their color to green-brown.
Korean fir grows very slowly , reaching only 1.5 to 2 meters after 10 years, and 3 to 4 meters after 30 years. Due to its slow growthKorean fir is recommended for small gardens .
Korean fir cultivation
The cultivation requirements of Korean firare unfortunately quite large and not every garden can grow it. This plant grows best in a sunny to semi-shaded position, in fertile, humus, sandy-clay soils, with a slightly acidic to neutral reaction.Korean fir cultivation siteshould be sheltered from frosty, drying winds, which can be very harmful to it.This plant is also sensitive to heat and drought, and its young growths can be damaged by late spring frosts.
Korean fir 'Kohout's Icebreaker'
I recommend planting Korean fir above the ponds , because this plant likes moist air very much. However, you shouldavoid growing Korean fir in the cities of , where this plant suffers from too much air pollution. If we have a garden in the city, and we want to plant a Korean fir, choose the most pollution-tolerant variety of 'Kórnik'.
Worth knowing!Choosing varieties of Korean fir with yellow or golden needles, such as 'Aurea' or 'Golden Glow', remember that they require semi-shaded sites. Their needles burn easily in direct sunlight.
Korean fir does not require pruningas it maintains a nice, regular habit on its own. If we want to obtain trees stripped of branches from below, we should cut down the lower parts in winter. In spring, branches that are damaged, broken or frozen can be cut.
Korean fir varieties
Korean fir 'Aurea'- a variety with a very slow growth (up to 1 m high after 10 years) and green-yellow needles. Young specimens have an irregular, flat spherical shape. It becomes more regular, broadly conical as it grows.
Korean Fir 'Brevifolia'- dwarf variety, slowly growing, with an irregular conical shape. In 10 years it grows to only 0.5 m in height. Stiff and short shoots, needles similar. Recommended for rockeries with fertile and moist soils.
Korean fir (Abies koreana)
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Korean fir 'Golden Glow'- fir variety with a regular, conical shape and yellow needles
Korean fir 'Green Carpet'- a very slow growing variety (grows up to 1 m after 10 years) with an irregular, spreading habit. It does not produce the main shoot and, more than upwards, it grows sideways.Needles in juicy green, with white stripes on the underside. Recommended for rock gardens.
Korean fir 'Kohout's Icebreaker'- an interesting new variety of Kreańska fir (selected only in 2007), often referred to simply as Icebreaker fir. It is a slow-growing plant with a flat-round shape, growing up to a height of 0.2-0.3 m after a few years and reaching a similar diameter. Its needles are short, quite thick, twisted round the shoots, showing their white underside. The upper side of the needles is light green. The fir variety 'Icebreaker' is highly frost-resistant and therefore recommendable for cultivation in our climate. Firs 'Icebreaker' grafted onto a trunk in the form of a miniature tree are becoming more and more popular.
Korean fir 'Kórnik'- Polish variety of Korean fir, selected in the Kórnik Arboretum. Dense, dwarf, it grows slowly, growing mainly sideways. It tolerates frost and air pollution much better than the species.
Korean fir 'Pinocchio'- dwarf variety with very slow growth. Dense, spherical habit. Recommended for trunk grafting (creates attractive trees with a spherical crown).
Korean fir 'Silberlocke'
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Korean fir 'Silberlocke'- slow growing variety with a broadly conical shape and decorative, twisted needles, which are sickle-shaped upwards. Due to its decorative qualities, it is good for planting as a solitaire in a well-exposed place.
Korean fir 'Tundra'- a miniature variety with a flat, spherical, regular habit. It creates short and thin shoots that give the plant a cushion-like appearance. It can be planted in pots and grafted onto a trunk.
Korean fir reproduction
Korean fir cuttingsroot very hard, therefore this plant is propagated mainly from seeds, and garden varieties - in early spring by grafting on silver fir. Sowing Korean fir seedscarries a high risk of mixing species. If we decide to use thismethod of reproducing Korean fir , then the seeds collected in autumn must be stratified (supercooled), and in spring, before sowing, soak in lukewarm water.
Fun fact!Korean fir crosses easily with Veitch fir, giving a cross called Arnold Fir - a strong growth with greenish cones.
MSc Eng. Joanna Białowąs
