Glacier Blue Arizona Fir

If you like blue evergreens, you will love the Glacier Arizona Fir, and so will all lovers of dwarf conifers – yes, that’s you. A slow-growing pyramidal true dwarf, it grows around 2 inches a year, reaching about 18 inches in 10 years, but continuing to grow forever, so one day it could be 3 feet or more tall. It forms a dense, perfect cone, becoming more attractive with every year that passes. The short, stiff needles densely cover the stems, and they are a wonderful silver-blue color, lighter in spring with the new growth, but remaining a fabulous blue coloring right through winter. It’s a color that evokes high mountain passes, which in fact was where in Montana this plant was discovered. Grow it in a rock garden, or with other dwarf evergreens in a bed mulched with gravel and decorated with boulders. Also grow it in a pot for many years, and it makes the perfect Christmas tree that will never grow too large for your table.

• A neat pyramid of crystal-blue needles
• Grows steadily to 18 inches tall, and one day 3 feet or even more
• A wonderful addition to your rock garden or a bed of dwarf evergreens
• Terrific plant for growing in a pot – ideal dwarf Christmas tree
• Easily grown in climates with hard winters

The Glacier Arizona Fir is hardy in zone 4, and probably in zone 3 too, and grows best in areas with cold winters and warm to hot summers with low humidity. Plants in pots can be left outdoors all winter to zone 5, or bury the pot in the ground if you are in a colder zone. Plant in any well-drained soil, and once established this plant has reasonable drought tolerance. Adaptable to a variety of soils and growing conditions, but plant in full sun, or with no more than a couple of hours of shade, for good growth. If in a pot, limit time indoors to just a few days. Untroubled by deer or rabbits, and normally free of pest or disease problems. No need to trim, but keep one central leading stem for the best pyramidal form – multiple leaders will create a more rounded plant.