Abies koreana Molli - Korean Fir

Abies koreana Molli is a dwarf variety of Korean fir, forming a small conical tree over time. Its needles are dark green and shiny on the top and have a silvery colour on the underside. In spring, its young buds are initially an attractive bright green before darkening. In autumn, this small fir tree is adorned with very decorative, upright, bluish cones, even at a young age. In December, it can easily accommodate Christmas decorations, and is well-suited for it. Its small size makes it suitable for small gardens, in well-drained, moist soil, sheltered from scorching sun.

The Korean fir is a conifer of the pine family, native only to the mountains of the extreme south of Korea. This small conifer reaches a height of 6 to 9 m (20 to 29ft) in its natural environment and has a compact habit. The Molli variety is a more modest version as it does not exceed 2 m (7ft) to 2.5 m (8ft) in height at maturity, after about 20 years, growing at a rate of about 10 cm (4in) per year. Its conical and upright shape gives it an adult circumference of 1 m. It has a compact habit, made up of branches where very fine and flexible needles are flatly attached, dark green and shiny on the top. Beautiful upright purple cones appear on the plants in autumn, even when young.

Abies koreana Molli is ideal for a small garden or as a more modest feature in a larger garden thanks to its moderate growth and small size. The ornamental qualities of dwarf conifers naturally stand out in the design of a contemporary garden, which prefers the aesthetics of shapes, silhouettes, and textures over flowers. The strong personality of these architectural plants structurally and durably shapes a flower bed, marks pathways, and borders the terrace, easily replacing the strong presence of trimmed boxwood. Combine them with roses, peonies, or ornamental grasses with a complementary form that, in return, will showcase them. They can also be accompanied by ground cover plants like aubrietas or cerastiums, and flowering shrubs. The key is to play with volumes and colours.