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The evergreen coniferous fir monochromatic (Abies Concolor) belongs to the Pine family. In the middle of the 19th century, the English traveler and naturalist William Lobb saw a tree in California. A few years later, the culture was included in the botanical reference book by the British biologist George Gordon. For the design of the territory on the basis of Abies Concolor, many varieties have been created, differing in shape and size.
Description of fir Concolor
The natural range of the Concolor Fir is North America. Grows as a single plant or in small groups, does not form continuous fir forests. Found in mountainous areas or along river banks. A perennial plant with a well-developed crown belongs to the tall species. The height of the monochromatic fir reaches 40-60 m.
External description of the one-color fir shown in the photo:
- The crown is of the correct conical shape, with a wide diameter of the lower branches.
- The bark is smooth, rough, with shallow vertical cracks, light green with a gray tint.
- Skeletal branches grow horizontally, the upper part is slightly raised.
- The needles are large - up to 6 cm, flat, narrow at the base, expanding upward, thornless. Evenly tinted on the top and bottom sides in gray with a greenish-blue tint. Needles grow in two rows horizontally.
- Cones are oval, purple, 11 cm long, arranged vertically. Formed once every 3 years.
The monochromatic fir is the most drought-resistant representative of its species, it resists gusts of wind well. Suitable for growing in temperate climates. The buds bloom after the threat of recurrent frosts, so the culture is not damaged by frost. The monochromatic ephedra tolerates low temperatures well, winters safely in the central zone of Russia.
Monochrome fir is unpretentious to the composition of the soil, therefore it can grow on saline soils, loams. For planting, preference is given to deep sandy loam. The culture feels comfortable within the city; growth is not affected by air pollution. It takes root quickly after transplanting. Prefers open areas, light-loving plant. Up to 6 years old, it gives a slight increase, then growth increases, at the age of 15 years the plant reaches its final point. The duration of the biological cycle is within 320 years.
Solid fir in landscape design
High varieties of monochromatic fir and its dwarf monochromatic varieties are used by designers in the design of the adjacent territory of park areas, office buildings, facades of private estates. One-color species with blue colored needles are especially popular.
Tall trees are used in single plantings in large compositions near monuments, sculptures, overall rockeries. They draw up:
- the central part of large flower beds and lawns;
- front entrances of administrative buildings;
- walking part of recreation areas, squares and parks;
- microdistricts of megalopolises;
- playgrounds for children's institutions;
- city alleys;
- the perimeter of sanatoriums and rest homes.
An evergreen monochromatic crop does not change color throughout the year, favorably emphasizes the yellow color of autumn larches, if planted against their background.
Dwarf varieties of monochromatic fir with a large number of cones of various colors are used for decoration:
- rock garden;
- a low rock garden;
- heather plantings;
- arbors;
- the shores of reservoirs;
- garden paths.
Conifers surrounded by flowering plants look aesthetically pleasing.
Single-color fir varieties
Based on the type of single-colored fir, various varieties were created to decorate the landscape. They do not reach tall sizes and have a decorative crown. There are representatives growing up to 9 m, the variety is also represented by dwarf varieties. Several representatives of the one-color fir are grown in Russia.
White fir Violacea
One of the high-growing representatives of the species, the one-color fir Violacea, grows up to 8 m. In the first years of the growing season, it gives good growth, forms a narrow-pyramidal, fluffy crown.
Of the blue representatives of the Violacea species, the most popular variety:
- The needles are dense, painted in a steel color with a blue tint.
- As it grows, it changes shape, the lower branches become long, form a wide base of a strict cone.
- The first row of skeletal branches is formed quite low, giving the impression that they are lying on the ground.
- Needles 6 cm long are flat, soft, with a square end, thornless, and have a lemon scent.
- The cones are in the shape of an elongated oval. At the initial stage of ripening, they are green, then they change color to dark red, the size of the cones is 13 cm.
White fir Violacea is frost-resistant, light-loving, used in design in group compositions and single plantings.
Solid fir compacta
The single-color fir of the Kompakt variety reaches a height of 60 cm. This dwarf variety is frost-resistant, adapted to the climatic conditions of a temperate climate and the gas pollution of the air of megalopolises.
External characteristics of one-color fir:
- the crown is dense, grows unevenly, has the shape of a rounded cylinder;
- the needles are long, hard, dark silver in color with a bluish tint;
- cones are round, small in diameter 3 cm, resinous, yellow-green;
- branches are thick, with an uneven surface, growing at an angle in different directions;
- the formation of two peaks is possible.
This variety gives a small annual growth (3 cm).
Single-color fir Compact is used in almost all design projects. Due to its small growth and volume (0.6 m), it can be grown in a pot on a veranda or balcony.
Fir one-color Archers Dwarf
An ornamental bonsai, up to 1 m in height, with a crown volume of 0.7 m. A popular variety of one-color fir among gardeners and designers.
The culture is planted as a single tree in the center of flower beds, lawns. They decorate rock gardens and rockeries. Mass planting along the garden path creates the impression of an alley. External description:
- the shape of a lush cone, the crown is dense, uniform green-blue;
- the needles are thin, long (75 mm), curved, the top is rounded;
- young shoots of olive color with a minimum number of needles;
- the trunk and skeletal branches are dark ashy; the bark is hard, thick with longitudinal grooves;
- cones are round, slightly elongated upward, 15 cm long, 6 cm wide, dark green at the beginning of growth, when ripe become brown.
Archers Dwarf monochromatic fir is a frost-resistant, light-loving culture, growth slows down in the shade, the crown loses its decorative effect. Does not tolerate cold winds. Roots poorly after transplanting.
Other varieties and forms of solid fir
Monochrome fir Abies Concolor in Russia is represented by several high-growing and dwarf varieties:
- Konica - dwarf species, grows up to 2 m, forms a narrow-conical crown shape.The needles are short, thin, up to 4 cm in size. The color of the crown is saturated green with a dark blue tint. The plant is shade-loving, frost-resistant, does not tolerate drying out of the soil.
- Winter Gold - fir grows up to 15 m, forms long needles up to 7.5 cm. The needles are yellow-green in color, the color gave the name to the Winter Gold variety. Fir is demanding on the composition of the soil; it grows on fertile loamy soil. Does not tolerate high humidity, frost-resistant.
- Extra - blue fir with beautiful lush needles, grows up to 20 m, the crown volume is wide - 4–5 m. The plant is thermophilic, does not tolerate shade, frost-resistant. Prefers a sandy loam composition with a high index of mineral compounds.
In the central zone of Russia, you can find the frost-resistant fir Aurea. The tree grows up to 8 meters, the crown is lush, classic conical shape. The needles are short, at the base they are painted in a light green color, gently turning into a beige-golden hue. The tree looks like it is illuminated by a bright sun.
Planting and caring for a single color fir
For fir and its varieties, choose a planting site in accordance with varietal characteristics. Most of the species prefer open areas, loamy fertile soils. Temporary shading is not a big deal for culture. The moisture content of the soil is not suitable for all varieties, for some of them waterlogging is destructive.
Seedling and planting plot preparation
Before placing the fir, the site is dug up, mineral fertilizers are applied. The site does not require special preparation. The root system of the tree is deep, the topsoil nourishes the fir only in the first year of growth. The hole is dug 20 days before planting:
- They make a depression 85 cm, 60 cm wide, the parameters are standard, the size depends on the volume of the root system.
- Drainage is placed at the bottom, gravel or small stones are used.
- A mixture of clay, sand, sawdust is prepared, nitroammofosk is added.
- Fill the hole ½ part.
- Sprinkle with plenty of water.
A seedling purchased from a nursery must not be less than 4 years old. If the planting is carried out with a rooted cuttings or cuttings, you can take a biennial plant. Before planting, remove dry branches and damaged root fragments. Placed in a manganese solution for 30 minutes for disinfection.
Planting rules for solid fir
Work is carried out in the spring from mid-April to May or in September. Algorithm of actions:
- A hill is poured in the center of the depression.
- A seedling is placed on it.
- The root is evenly distributed over the well.
- Fall asleep with a mixture, compact the root circle, watered.
Watering and feeding
Young seedlings are watered by sprinkling. One procedure in 14 days is enough. Watering is stopped if seasonal rainfall is correct. Adult single-colored fir is not watered, it has a deep root system, therefore, the crop receives the necessary moisture from the soil.
Top dressing is carried out in the third year of fir growth before the start of sap flow. Apply the means "Kemira", in the fall fertilize the plant with complex mineral fertilizers.
Mulching and loosening
In order not to form a crust, loosening of the earth around a young solid-colored fir is carried out regularly, the root system needs a constant supply of oxygen. Weeding is carried out if necessary, removed weeds, preferably rooted.
The root circle is mulched after planting, the mulch layer is increased in the fall, and the mulch is renewed in the spring. Use sawdust, peat or crushed tree bark. The root collar is not covered.
Pruning
The formation of the crown is carried out in accordance with the design decision. Most of the tree trimming does not require a beautiful, lush decorative shape. In the spring, when the culture is at rest, if necessary, do cosmetic pruning of dry branches.
Preparing for winter
An adult tree is given water-charging irrigation at the end of autumn 2 weeks before the onset of frost.Saplings increase the layer of mulch. If severe frosts are expected, the fir is covered with spruce branches or wrapped with covering material. The culture is frost-resistant, therefore, a correctly selected variety of one-color fir will successfully overwinter.
Reproduction of fir Concolor
You can independently propagate a one-color fir by seeds or cuttings. For decorative species, planting with seeds is rarely used. Not all varieties retain the appearance of the parent plant. The generative method is longer and the planting material does not always sprout. Conkolor fir and its varieties are more often propagated by the vegetative method - by cuttings or layering.
Varieties with low-lying branches are able to take root on their own; in the spring, part of the cut is cut off and placed in the ground. In early spring, cuttings 7-10 cm long are cut from young one-year-old shoots. The material takes root for about two years, the seedlings grow slowly. The best way to plant is with a seedling purchased from a nursery.
Diseases and pests
White fir Abies Concolor is affected by fungal infections that cause root rot (variegated, white, red-brown rot). The infection spreads to the trunk, then to the branches. At the site of the formation of the colony, voids are formed, the needles turn yellow and fall off. At an early stage of the disease, fir is treated with Topsin or Fundazol, if the infection cannot be stopped, the tree is cut down and removed from the site so that the fungus has not spread to other crops.
Fir Hermes parasitizes. The larvae of the beetle aphid species feed on needles. To get rid of the pest, the following activities are carried out:
- fragments of needles - the main place of accumulation of insects is cut off;
- the tree is sprayed with insecticides;
- the trunk and branches are treated with copper sulfate.
Spider mites are less common; they get rid of them by using the "Aktofit" product.
Conclusion
The evergreen culture of the single-colored fir and its decorative varieties are used for design decoration of personal plots, recreation areas, and front entrances. One-color forms are planted for landscaping urban neighborhoods and playgrounds for children's institutions. Varieties of monochromatic culture are frost-resistant, light-loving, they feel comfortable in urban conditions.
