Abies concolor 'Wattez Prostrate' / Wattez Prostrate white fir

Abies concolor 'Wattez Prostrate' is superficially similar to 'Violacea Prostrate', just a bit slower growing, but just as prostrate. New growth each year is whitish to creamy yellow, fading to blue-gray in the summer. Note that this conifer is a cultivariant of Abies concolor 'Wattezii', a graft from a side branch and therefore low and wide growing. If in time a leader appears, it should be removed to keep a low plant, otherwise, it will have been thought to have reverted back to 'Wattezii'. After 10 years of growth a mature specimen will measure 2 feet (24 cm) tall and 4 feet (1.3 m) wide, an annual growth rate of about 4 inches (10 cm).

Cultivated in the UK in the mid-1960s. The name 'Wattezii Prostrate' of Welsh (1966) was corrected to 'Wattez Prostrate' during or before 1987 in order to comply with the requirements of the ICNCP at the time. (Spicer & Auders; RHS Encyclopedia of Conifers, ©2012)


Abies concolor 'Watez Prostrate' seen at the Rathje garden in McCausland, Iowa, during the 2008 ACS National Conference.
Photo by Dax Herbst
Abies concolor 'Wattez Prostrate' — a closeup of foliage detail.
Photo by Bill Barger

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