Alphabetical Plant Listing

Abies alba (European Silver Fir)

European Silver Fir, Common Silver Fir


Abies alba (European Silver Fir) is a large evergreen conifer of conical habit with straight stems densely clad with glossy dark green needles with silvery undersides. The seed cones, 4-6 in. long (10-15 cm), are greenish when young turning to dark brown when mature. The bark is silvery-gray with a scaly texture. Growth is very slow in early years, and then rapid as the tree matures. Long-lived (up to 500-600 years), it is among the tallest tree species of the genus Abies in Europe. Silver Fir was a popular Christmas tree in Europe, but it has been largely replaced by Nordmann Fir.

  • Grows up to 50-80 ft. high (15-24 m) and 15-25 ft. wide (4-8 m).
  • Performs best in full sun or part shade in rich, slightly acidic, moist, well-drained soils.
  • No pruning required.
  • Silver fir is particularly susceptible to frost desiccation due to late spring frosts. It is also sensitive to fire, insects, fungi and pollution.
  • Native to the mountainous regions of eastern, western, southern and central Europe.

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Requirements

Hardiness 5 – 8
Heat Zones 5 – 8
Plant Type Conifers, Trees
Plant Family Abies - Firs
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early,Mid,Late)
Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 50' – 80' (15m – 24m)
Spread 15' – 25' (4.5m – 7.5m)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy, Evergreen, Fruit & Berries
Garden Styles Prairie and Meadow

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 Flaviano Fabrizi, Miglena Pencheva, Shutterstock

While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.


Requirements

Hardiness 5 – 8
Heat Zones 5 – 8
Plant Type Conifers, Trees
Plant Family Abies - Firs
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early,Mid,Late)
Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 50' – 80' (15m – 24m)
Spread 15' – 25' (4.5m – 7.5m)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy, Evergreen, Fruit & Berries
Garden Styles Prairie and Meadow

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