Abies concolor 'King's Gap' / King's Gap white fir

Abies concolor 'King's Gap' is a dwarf, pyramidal selection of shite fir with intense silvery-blue foliage. Young plants will initially present as flattened globes; later, in typical fashion of many dwarf firs, a terminal leader will develop allowing mature plants to become more conical. After 10 years of growth, a mature specimen will stand 20 inches (50 cm) tall and somewhat narrower, a annual growth rate of around 1.5 to 2 inches (3 - 5 cm).

This cultivar originated as a witch's broom found in the late 1990s by Gregg Gulden of Suncrest Gardens, Holly Springs, Pennsylvania, at the Cameron-Masland Mansion at the top of Kings Gap State Park, Carlisle, Pennsylvania. To this day a nice old specimen is on display in the Denver Botanic Garden. The plant was originally propagated and distributed to members of the ACS during a National Conference in 2002.

Abies concolor 'King's Gap' — an awesome mature specimen at Flora Wonder Arboretum, Gaston, Oregon.
Photo by David Olszyk
Abies concolor 'King's Gap' — a closeup of foliage detail.
Photo by David Olszyk
Abies concolor 'King's Gap' — a fairly old plant with fresh spring foliage.
Photo by Bill Barger
Abies concolor 'King's Gap' — a young plant.
Photo by Bill Barger
Abies concolor 'King's Gap' — a closeup of foliage detail.
Photo by Bill Barger
Abies concolor 'King's Gap' — a closeup of fresh spring foliage detail.
Photo by Bill Barger

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