Abies cephalonica 'Meyer's Dwarf' / Meyer's Dwarf Greek fir

Abies cephalonica 'Meyer's Dwarf' is a dwarf selection of Greek fir that presents itself in many different forms presumably dependent on the nature of the scionwood used in propagation of individual plants. Its most common form is low and spreading, forming a mat of rich, glossy green needles with no tendency for apical dominance. However it is also commonly seen forming leaders and developing into a dense, squatty conical tree. Needles are shorter than typical of the species, 0.32 to 0.6 inch (8 -15 mm) long and are stiffer, tending to radiate about the shoot. Annual rate of growth is 2 to 3 inches (5 - 7.5 cm) per year.

This cultivar is of unknown origin having been distributed around Europe and eventually North American since the early 1960s. It is thought to have been introduced to the nursery trade by Hillier nursery of the United Kingdom and by Konijn nursery of The Netherlands. It is synonymous with the cultivar 'Nana' which is an illegitimate name having been published after 1959.

'Meyer's Dwarf' is one of seven selections made in 2019 for the popular ACS Collectors' Conifer of the Year Program.

Abies cephalonica 'Meyer's Dwarf' — a very old specimen growing in Belgium.
Photo by Clement Anthoine
Abies cephalonica 'Meyer's Dwarf' — a closeup of foliage detail.
Photo by Bill Barger
Abies cephalonica 'Meyer's Dwarf.' — a closeup detailing a bloom of pollen cones in early spring.
Photo by Iseli Nursery, Inc.
Abies cephalonica 'Meyer's Dwarf' — en exceptional closeup detailing a nice crop of seed cones.
Photo by Bill Barger
Abies cephalonica 'Meyer's Dwarf' — a tree that has developed a leader, forming a dense conical shape.
Photo by Bill Barger
Abies cephalonica 'Meyer's Dwarf' — a specimen displaying a spreading tendency.
Photo by Bill Barger
Abies cephalonica 'Meyer's Dwarf' in the Harper Collection of Dwarf and Rare Conifers at Hidden Lake Gardens, Tipton, Michigan.
Photo by Dax Herbst

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