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Candicans White Fir (Abies concolor ‘Candicans’)

Candicans White Fir (Abies concolor ‘Candicans’)

Also known as: Abies concolor 'Candicans', Silver Fir, Concolor Fir, Colorado Fir.

Candicans White Fir is a vibrant fir tree with powdery-white needles that make it a real show-stopper in the winter and spring. The light color is also resistant to bronzing or discoloration, so the brilliant hue is maintained for many years. It also has a unique branch structure with a strong central leader and shorter lateral branches creating an eye-catching silhouette. This species is hardy and tolerant to a variety of soil types, making it a great choice for difficult areas. Its fast growth rate creates an impressive display quickly, making it an excellent choice to add curb appeal to your landscape.

Interesting facts about the Candicans White Fir:

  1. Striking Blue-Gray Foliage: The Candicans White Fir is renowned for its stunning blue-gray needles, which are even more pronounced than those of the standard White Fir. This vibrant coloration makes it a highly sought-after variety for ornamental use in gardens and landscapes.
  2. Enhanced Aromatic Qualities: This cultivar is notable for its strong aromatic needles. When crushed or brushed against, the needles release a pleasant citrus-like fragrance, which is more intense compared to the regular White Fir.
  3. Moderate Growth Rate: The Candicans White Fir exhibits a moderate growth rate, making it a suitable choice for landscape settings where a manageable growth is desired. This characteristic allows it to fit well in both residential gardens and public spaces without becoming overwhelmingly large.
  4. Cold Tolerance: The Candicans White Fir is particularly hardy in cold environments, even more so than the standard White Fir. It can withstand lower temperatures, making it an excellent choice for northern landscapes and higher altitude areas.
  5. Disease and Pest Resistance: This cultivar has shown a good degree of resistance to common diseases and pests that affect fir trees. This resilience contributes to its popularity as a low-maintenance landscaping option.
  6. Adaptability to Soil Types: While the Candicans White Fir prefers well-drained soils, it shows a notable adaptability to a variety of soil conditions, including clay and sandy soils. This adaptability is relatively unusual for fir trees and adds to its appeal for different landscape designs.
  7. Use in Festive Decorations: Due to its striking blue-gray foliage and pleasant aroma, the Candicans White Fir is often used in festive decorations, particularly Christmas wreaths and garlands. Its needles retain their color and fragrance well, even after cutting, making it an ideal choice for holiday decor.

Plant care guide:

Watering

Candicans White Fir plants should be watered deeply every 7-14 days during the summer and spring months. In the fall, they should be watered every 14-21 days. During the winter and dry periods, they should be watered monthly. Allow the soil to become dry between waterings and be sure to water around the edges of the pot and not just directly in the center. Soil should never be kept saturated.

Sunlight

Candicans White Fir requires 6-8 hours of direct, bright sunlight each day for healthy growth. For best results, provide the longest amounts of time possible for direct sunlight exposure, but be sure to gradually increase exposure time so the tree does not become scorched. For example, begin with 4 hours of direct sunlight and increase by 1-2 hours per week thereafter until reaching the ideal 6-8 hours of sunlight each day.

Pruning

Candicans White Fir (Abies concolor 'Candicans') should be pruned twice a year, once in the late winter and again in early summer. Pruning in late winter should be done to thin out the crown, removing up to 25% of the branches and lateral sprouts. Gently remove any crossing branches, diseased or dead branches, and any branches that grow in toward the center of the tree. Pruning in early summer should be done to shape the tree, such as cutting back some of the top branches to create a more rounded crown.

Plant information:

  • Family: Pinaceae
  • Type: Tree
  • Height: ~9.14 meters
  • Cycle: Perennial
  • Growth Rate: Low
  • Anatomy:
    • Stems: brown
    • Branches: brown
    • Leaves: dark-green
  • Care Level: Medium
  • Watering:
    • Every 7-10 days
  • Sunlight requirement: full sun
  • Pruning:
    • February, June, July, February, June, July
    • 2 times yearly
  • Propagation: Cutting, Grafting Propagation, Layering Propagation, Air Layering Propagation, Seed Propagation
  • Origin: United States
  • Seeds: No
  • Drought Tolerant: Yes
  • Salt Tolerant: No
  • Thorny: No
  • Invasive: No
  • Tropical: No
  • Indoor: No
  • Flowers: No
  • Cones: Yes
  • Fruits: No
  • Edible Fruit: No
  • Leaf: Yes
  • Edible Leaf: No
  • Cuisine: No
  • Medicinal: No
  • Poisonous to Humans: No
  • Poisonous to Pets: No
Hardiness Zone Map
Plant Hardiness Zone: 4

Sources & more information:

Content is based on public databases such as the KEW Plants of the World database, among others. Please double-check all information. "About Plants" does not take responsibility for any inaccuracies.