Abies koreana Nadelkissen - Korean Fir

This miniature Korean fir, called Abies koreana 'Nadelkissen', forms a pretty, well-structured ball, with a very neat appearance, covered in fairly wide, light and vibrant green, shiny needles with a silver underside. In spring, its small, prominent brown buds at the end of branches bring colour to the foliage. With its very slow growth and small size, it is perfect for small gardens, rockeries or in containers, in well-drained, moist soil, sheltered from the scorching sun.

The Korean fir is a conifer of the pinaceae family, native only to the mountains in the extreme south of Korea, and has become rare in its own country. This small conifer reaches a height of 6 to 9 metres (20 to 29 feet) in its natural environment and has a compact habit. The 'Nadelkissen' variety represents a miniature version of this species and was selected in Germany in 1990. It will not exceed 30 to 40 cm (12 to 16in) in all directions, even after many years of cultivation, as it only grows 3 cm (1in) per year. It forms a ball, made up of branches where wide and flexible needles are attached, green on top and silver on the underside. Its small spring buds crown its foliage with a velvety brown texture.

Abies koreana 'Nadelkissen' is ideal for container cultivation on a terrace or in small gardens, thanks to its slow growth and small size. With its dense cushion-like silhouette, which does not require pruning, it would work well in rockeries, especially if planted in groups of 3 specimens. The architectural qualities of dwarf conifers naturally come to the fore in the design of a contemporary garden, which prefers the aesthetics of shapes and textures over flowers. These plants, with their strong personality and reassuring permanence, structurally enhance a bed, mark pathways and border terraces, easily replacing the strong presence of pruned boxwood. They serve as a backdrop for roses, peonies, or tousled grasses with a very complementary form, which in return will showcase their full intensity. They can also be associated with ground cover plants such as aubrietas or cerastiums, and flowering shrubs. The key is to play with volumes and colours.