Abies alba 'Tortuosa' / Silver fir

Abies alba 'Tortuosa' is a bushy, dwarf form of European silver fir with an irregular, monstrous growth habit; twisted, compact, ascending branches; and irregularly arranged, short needles only 0.35 to 0.75 inche (11 - 19 mm) long and bright green. Typical rate of growth is 6 to 12 inches (15 - 30 cm) per year creating a mature plant 10 feet (3 m) tall and somewhat less wide after 10 years in the landscape. It is said to perform best in partial shade.

This cultivar originated as a seedling selected around 1835 by J. Booth & Sons, Flottbeck Nurseries, Hamburg, Germany.

Attribution from: Aris Auders and Derek Spicer; RHS Encyclopedia of Conifers; ©2012 Kingsblue Press