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Woody > Abies > Abies balsamea > Abies balsamea 'Hudsonia'

Abies balsamea

'Hudsonia'


Hudson Fir




Origin:  Horticultural origin.
            Mike's Opinion

this is Mike

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A very nice dwarf conifer with attractive needles and refreshing spring growth. Well suited for rock gardens and containers. This conifer is generally disease free and easy to care for.



Michael Pascoe, NDP., ODH., CLT., MSc. (Plant Conservation)

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Family
Pinaceae
Genus
Abies
Species
balsamea
Cultivar
'Hudsonia'
Category
Woody
Type
Shrub (evergreen)
Pronunciation
USDA Hardiness Zone
2
Canadian Hardiness Zone
0
RHS Hardiness Zone
H7
Temperature (°C)
-46 - (-40)
Temperature (°F)
-50 - (-40)
Height
60 cm
Spread
1.5 m
Photographs
Description and Growing Information
Flowering Period
General Description
A slow growing dwarf conifer that only grows a few centimetres a year. Compact and bun-like in shape, this dwarf tends to be broader than it is tall.
Landscape
Great for rock gardens, gravel gardens and containers. Good for places with limited space.
Cultivation
Moist, well-drained slightly acidic soil. Protect from cold; plant in full sun.
Shape
A compact, bun-like shaped dwarf tree that is broader than it is tall.
Growth
Slow
ID Characteristic
A low growing dwarf conifer that is similar in shape to A. balsamea 'Nana'. The needles on 'Hudsonia' are arranged semi-radially, whereas on 'Nana' the needles are arranged radially. By looking down at the branch, the stem will be clearly visible on A. balsamea 'Hudsonia'.
Pests
Generally disease free but can get aphids and adelgids.
Habitat
Horticultural origins
Bark/Stem Description
Brown-grey, smooth and quite thin. Needle scars remain on the bark after needles have fallen.
Flower/Leaf Bud Description
Buds are ovoid and brown/red in colour and about 50 mm long. New growth is bright yellow-green and adds spring attractiveness. New growth is only about 3 cm per year.
Leaf Description
Needles are shiny, rounded and dark green with a blue line down the middle ridge. Silvery/blue beneath and roughly 1.25 cm in length.
Flower Description
A. balsamea 'Hudsonia' does not flower.
Fruit Description
A. balsamea 'Hudsonia' does not produce cones.
Colour Description
Dark green needles with hints of blue. No autumn colour. New growth is bright yellow/green and adds an attractive feature in spring.
Texture Description
Smooth.
Notable Specimens
Dwarf conifer garden at the Arboretum at the University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
Propagation
Propagation by cuttings or grafting. For grafts, use a side-veneer graft in February and graft onto 2 year old root stocks of A. grandis or A. balsamea. For cuttings, collect cuttings in June, treat with a rooting hormone and root in a propagating case. Bottom heating to 16? C in winter is needed and an automatic misting or irrigation system will help keep the cuttings from drying out. Caution must be taken to not overwater.
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