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Foliage Color:  Powder Blue with Light Green new growth in spring

Fragrant Foliage:  Yes

Attracts:  Visual Attention

Resistances:  Cold (-35F), Deer, Drought (when established)

Abies lasiocarpus 'Glauca Compacta,' commonly called Dwarf Blue Rocky Mountain Fir, is a subalpine North American native evergreen conifer. A slow grower adding 3 to 4 inches per year in size, it might reach 3.5 to 4 feet tall and 18 to 24 inches wide at its base in 10 years and double that size over time, making it ideal for small garden spaces, rock and alpine gardens, and containers that can be situated on patios, balconies or other outdoor living spaces. It has stunning, dense, soft, powdery-blue foliage turning rich, steel blue during winter, with glowing teal-green new spring growth contrasting beautifully with the mature growth. This variety responds well to candle pruning for a denser form and to control size, making it the perfect outdoor Christmas. Conifers don't like being moved, so choose the right spot for this eye-catching, soft-textured beauty, preferably one with well-drained but moist soil and five or more hours of sunlight daily. Though a subalpine fir, this one does well at lower elevations in mild summer climates.

Growing 6 to 8 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide at its base, the Dwarf Rocky Mountain Blue Fir is an eye-catching specimen in small garden spaces or containers that can be situated on or around patios, decks, and other outdoor sitting and living spaces. It is a fine addition to conifer gardens, blue gardens, Asian gardens, alpine gardens, and rock gardens.

Suggested Spacing: Best as a specimen or in spaced groupings at 5 feet or more apart

The Dwarf Rocky Mountain Blue Fir is easy to grow in moist, well-drained soil of average fertility. As with many other conifers, constantly soggy or wet soils can be problematic, leading to root rot or other harmful plant diseases. So plant this in well-drained soil, whether in the ground or pots. Once established, water needs are lower when growing in the ground. In pots, soil moisture must be monitored more closely, especially during summer. When the top two inches of soil is dry, provide water. It is moderately drought tolerant but might appreciate supplemental water during extended summer droughts. Dwarf Blue Rocky Mountain Fir responds well to candle pruning for a denser form and to control size, making it the perfect outdoor Christmas.

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