Russell Stafford
Family
Pinaceae
Botanical Name
Abies lasiocarpa var. arizonica 'Compacta'
Plant Common Name
Compact Corkbark Fir, Corkbark Fir
Special Notice
This entry has yet to be reviewed and approved by L2G editors.
General Description
Unlike its parent, the spire-like subalpine fir, compact corkbark fir looks like a silvery green plump pyramid at maturity. A cone-bearing evergreen shrub with green needles that have a silver-blue cast, 'Compacta' was selected from trees native to the southern Rocky Mountains in Arizona and New Mexico in the American Southwest. Its rarely seen soft bark is gray to nearly white, smooth but mildly bumpy, and thicker than the typical subalpine fir.
The short but flattened needles whorl around the tree's twigs. They are dark green but covered in a silvery film (called a bloom). In early summer, male cones appear among the needles and shed their pollen. Carried by the wind, the pollen reaches the female cones in the upper shrub branches and then causes the cones to become a lovely purple before ripening to brown.
Grow 'Compacta' in full to partial sun in a fertile but moist soil that has good drainage. Avoid highly alkaline soil. Its slow-growth rate and smaller mature height lends itself well to foundation plantings to soften building corners, as an accent in the mixed shrub border or as a large specimen in a lawn or rockery. It could also be grown in a large container.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
6 - 1
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Plant Type
Needled or Scaled Evergreen
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
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Height
10'-15' / 3.0m - 4.6m
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Width
6'-10' / 1.8m - 3.0m
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Native To
North America, United States, Southwestern United States
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral
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Soil Drainage
Well Drained
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Soil type
Loam, Sand
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Growth Rate
Slow
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Water Requirements
Drought Tolerant, Average Water
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Habit
Pyramidal
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Insignificant
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Fragrant Flowers
No
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
Yes
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
Yes
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Repeat Bloomer
No
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Showy Fruit
Yes
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
Yes
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Foliage Texture
Fine
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Foliage Sheen
Matte
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Evergreen
Yes
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Showy Bark
No
Special Characteristics
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Bark Texture
Smooth
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Usage
Container, Feature Plant, Foundation, Mixed Border, Rock Garden / Wall
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Sharp or Has Thorns
No
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Invasive
No
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Self-Sowing
No
