Abies lasiocarpa var. arizonica 'Compacta' is a medium-sized narrowly pyramidal selection of Arizona fir with a dense structure and long, soft, vividly blue, foliage. After 10 years, a mature specimen will measure 4.5 feet (1.5 m) tall with a 30-inch (75 cm) spread, a growth rate of 6 to 8 inches (15 - 20 cm) per year.
In his book, Gardening with Conifers, Adrian Bloom writes, "slow-growing at first, it gradually forms a shapely specimen of dense, soft, grey-Blue foliage. It is a good form of the species, the Alpine fir, which originates in the mountainous regions of western North America. Very hardy, it will retain its lower branches well in an open position; best in cooler climates on good deep soil. Plant it where in future years it can stand alone as a specimen, because you will not want to part with it. It is one of Bloom's top ten garden conifers.
This cultivar originated as a seedling selected in 1927 by Jan Boer Nursery, Boskoop, The Netherlands. It is often seen listed incorrectly as Abies lasiocarpa 'Arizonica Compacta.'
