Abies concolor 'Archer's Dwarf' / Archer's Dwarf white fir

Abies concolor 'Archer's Dwarf' is a dwarf, upright form of white fir with powder-blue needles and a regular, conical shape. Its needles are sickle-shaped and slightly incurved, and the branchlets tend to curl downward and inward, created a striking effect. Typical rate of growth in most areas is 3 to 4 inches (7.5 - 10 cm) per year, resulting in a 40-inch (100 cm) tall by 28-inch (70 cm) wide, tight, conical specimen after ten years in the landscape.

J.W. Archer of Farnham, United Kingdom is credited with this cultivar's origin. Gordon Haddow of Kenwith Nursery, UK, introduced it to the nursery trade in 1982. Although this species and its cultivars are very winter hardy, they perform best when planted in full sun, and in dryer parts of the garden.

Archer's dwarf is one of eight selections made in 2020 for the popular ACS Collectors' Conifer of the Year program.

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