About
'Prickly Pete' is a compact, evergreen conifer that develops a dense, columnar or narrowly upright form. Over a decade, it typically reaches heights of around 30 centimeters, with an annual increase of approximately 2 centimeters. Its foliage features long, needle-like blue needles that have a distinctive prickly texture, complemented by short, irregular branching.
About the genus
Abies are evergreen coniferous trees that can reach significant heights. They feature whorled branches that support narrow, flattened leaves, typically having a whitish underside. The upper branches produce substantial cones that disintegrate while still attached to the tree.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H7
Plant details
- Plant type
- Conifers
- Habit
- Columnar upright
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 10-20 years
- Suggested uses
- City and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, Rock garden
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in deep, neutral to slightly acidic, moist but well-drained soil, in full sun, with some shelter from cold winds. See conifer cultivation
- Pruning
- No pruning required
- Propagation
- Propagate by grafting in winter
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to adelgids and aphids
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to honey fungus