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Woody > Abies > Abies balsamea > Abies balsamea 'Nana'

Abies balsamea

'Nana'


Dwarf Balsam Fir




            Mike's Opinion

this is Mike

"

The dwarf balsam fir is a very popular garden conifer because of its size, compact form and its rich dark green colour. A well behaved evergreen suited to a variety of uses.



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

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Family
Pinaceae
Genus
Abies
Species
balsamea
Cultivar
'Nana'
Category
Woody
Type
Shrub (evergreen)
Pronunciation
USDA Hardiness Zone
3a - 8b
Canadian Hardiness Zone
1a - 8a
RHS Hardiness Zone
H7 - H4
Temperature (°C)
-40 to -7
Temperature (°F)
-40 - 20
Height
0.7 - 1.3 m
Spread
1.0 - 1.5 m
Photographs
Description and Growing Information
Flowering Period
May
General Description
This shrub is used often in small landscape gardens as a small specimen plant. Its fine dark green foliage can make this plant stand out from all the rest.
Landscape
This shrub is a good specimen in a small residential garden. Can be used as a single specimen or in a group. Very popular because of its low maintenance level and its globe shaped form.
Cultivation
Grown in full sun to partial-shade in slightly acidic, but well drained soil.
Shape
Low growing globe-shaped shrub, top may flatten with age.
Growth
Slow
ID Characteristic
Small globe shaped shrub with dark green foliage that is fine in texture. New growth in the spring is light green and grows off the end of shoots in a ball-shaped form, this causes spring interest and makes this shrub a fine specimen.
Pests
Relatively pest and disease-free, can be prone to winter spruce aphids.
Habitat
Horticultural origin.
Bark/Stem Description
Olive brown colour, usually thin with resin blisters.
Flower/Leaf Bud Description
Small 3 mm buds located only at the end of each branchlet. Brown in colour and contains an obvious amount of resin. New growth only grows at the end of branches each spring.
Leaf Description
Abies (Fir) needles are very soft to touch. New growth in the spring is a light green colour and old growth is dark green. These needles are generally about 4-10 mm in length and have a white line down the back center.
Flower Description
Only mature shrubs will flower. The flower is yellow-red and adds no ornamental value to the shrub.
Fruit Description
Small brown cone 3 mm in diameter, with winged seeds. Cones grow in an upward motion but are insignificant in ornamental value.
Colour Description
Old growth is dark green and new growth at the end of a shoot in the spring is light green.
Texture Description
This shrub has very soft needles and has a fine texture that appears soft.
Notable Specimens
The Gardens of Fanshawe College, London, Ontario, Canada.
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