Abies amabilis Spreading Star - Fir

Abies amabilis Spreading Star, also known as the pacific silver fir, is a conifer with a prostrate habit that is ideal used as a ground cover. It slowly spreads to form a mat of 1 meter (3.3ft) in diameter, with a deep green-blue colour and silvery reflections. Hardy, slow-growing, and preferring slightly acidic and moist soils, it is perfect for a large rockery or a small garden.

The Abies amabilis, sometimes called the pacific silver fir or cascade fir, is a conifer from the pinaceae family native to the west coast of the United States. In nature, this species can reach an impressive height of 80 meters (262 ft) under an oceanic climate with significant rainfall. 'Spreading Star' is a dwarf form with a spreading and prostrate habit, reaching a height of no more than 30cm (11.8in) and a width of 1 meter (3.3ft) after several years of cultivation. It is also less demanding in terms of water, but still prefers moist soil. This conifer has shiny needles which are dark green on the upper surface with bluish-white stomata on the lower surface, giving its foliage a silvery and bluish appearance.

The Abies amabilis Spreading Star is ideal for covering the ground in a large rockery, on a slope, or in small gardens, thanks to its slow growth and small size. With its dense, mat-like silhouette that prevents the germination of weeds, it works wonders in rockeries, especially when planted in groups of 3. The architectural qualities of dwarf conifers naturally fit in the design of a contemporary garden, which values the aesthetics of shapes, silhouettes, and textures over flowering. These plants with strong personalities provide lasting structure to a bed, mark pathways and border terraces, easily replacing the strong presence of clipped boxwood. They serve as a backdrop for small roses, peonies, or windswept grasses with complementary forms. They can also be combined with ground cover plants such as aubrietas, ceraistes, and flowering shrubs. It's all about playing with volumes and colours.