Abies is a genus of evergreen conifers with a columnar, upright habit. Members belong to the pine family Pinaceae and retain their foliage through winter. They suit full sun on moist but well-drained soils and are rated H7, meaning fully hardy in the UK.

Abies (fir) is a columnar evergreen conifer for full sun in moist, well-drained acid to neutral soils and is fully hardy in the UK.

Firs are evergreen coniferous trees belonging to the genus Abies in the family Pinaceae. There are approximately 48–65 extant species, found on mountains throughout much of North and Central America, Eurasia, and North Africa.

Abies

Fir (Abies) | Columnar Evergreen Conifer

Abies aff. forrestii is a cultivar of the Abies genus, which comprises evergreen coniferous trees known for their columnar upright habit. This cultivar features narrow, flattened leaves with a whitish underside and thrives in full sun with sheltered exposure. It prefers moist but well-drained, acidic loam soils and is hardy to UK zone H7. Suitable for architectural planting and low-maintenance gardens, it is best grown in fertile soil with sun or part shade. Interest in this cultivar is notable during spring and summer seasons.

Abies aff. forrestii is an evergreen conifer with a columnar habit, narrow leaves and whitish undersides, ideal for architectural planting in full sun and

Abies aff. forrestii

Abies alba 'Fastigiata' is a columnar upright cultivar of the Abies genus, which comprises evergreen coniferous trees known for their whorled branches and narrow, flattened leaves with a whitish underside. This cultivar maintains evergreen foliage and thrives in full sun, preferring sheltered positions with fertile, well-drained soil that can be clay, loam, or sand, and tolerates acid to neutral pH. Suitable for architectural planting and low maintenance gardens, it is hardy to UK zone H7 and is best propagated by seed. Its season of interest spans spring and summer.

Abies alba 'Fastigiata' is a columnar evergreen conifer with whorled branches, ideal for architectural planting in full sun and hardy to RHS H7.

Abies alba 'Fastigiata'

Abies balsamea or balsam fir is a North American fir, native to most of eastern and central Canada (Newfoundland west to central Alberta) and the northeastern United States (Minnesota east to Maine, and south in the Appalachian Mountains to West Virginia). In the garden it prefers full sun and most soil types. In UK gardens it is fully hardy throughout the UK (RHS H7). Suggested uses include architectural and low maintenance. It tolerates acid and neutral soils, moist but well-drained conditions and south-facing, north-facing, east-facing and west-facing aspects. Grow in moist but well-drained, slightly acidic soil in a cool, humid climate. Intolerant of heat and drought. See conifer cultivation.

Abies balsamea, commonly known as balsam fir or balm of Gilead, is a notable member of the Pinaceae family. This evergreen coniferous tree exhibits whorled branches with narrow, flattened leaves that showcase a distinctive whitish underside, and it produces large cones that break apart while remaining on the tree.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abies_balsamea

Abies balsamea

Abies balsamea 'Prostrata' is a cultivar of the Abies genus, which comprises evergreen coniferous trees with whorled branches and narrow, flattened leaves often showing a whitish underside. This cultivar maintains a columnar upright habit and evergreen foliage. It thrives in full sun and prefers moist but well-drained, acidic loam soil. Suitable for sheltered locations, it is hardy in the UK (H7) and is best grown in fertile, well-drained soil in sun or partial shade. Its season of interest spans spring and summer, making it a low-maintenance choice for architectural planting.

Abies balsamea 'Prostrata' is a hardy, low-maintenance evergreen conifer with a columnar habit, ideal for architectural planting in full sun.

Abies balsamea 'Prostrata'

Abies × borisii-regis (Bulgarian fir) is a hybrid species of fir native to the mountains of the Balkan Peninsula in Bulgaria, northern Greece, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Albania and Serbia. It occurs at elevations of 800–1,800 m (2,600–5,900 ft), on mountains with an annual rainfall of over 1,000 mm (39 in). It is a large evergreen coniferous tree growing to 40–50 m (130–160 ft) (exceptionally 60 m (200 ft)) tall and with a trunk diameter of up to 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in). The leaves are needle-like, flattened, 1.8–3.5 cm (0.71–1.38 in) long and 2 mm (0.079 in) wide by 0.5 mm (0.020 in) thick, glossy dark green above, and with two blue-white bands of stomata below. In the garden it prefers full sun and most soil types. In UK gardens it is fully hardy throughout the UK (RHS H7). Suggested uses include architectural and low maintenance. It tolerates acid and neutral soils, moist but well-drained conditions and south-facing, north-facing, east-facing and west-facing aspects.

Abies borisii-regis, commonly known as King Boris fir, is an impressive member of the Pinaceae family. This evergreen conifer features whorled branches that bear narrow, flat leaves with a distinctive whitish underside, and it produces large cones that remain attached to the tree until they disintegrate. Also referred to as Bulgarian fir or Macedonian fir, this species showcases the notable characteristics of its genus while standing as a remarkable specimen in any collection.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abies_%C3%97_borisii-regis

Abies borisii-regis

Abies cephalonica 'Meyer's Dwarf' (Greek fir 'Meyer’s Dwarf') is a cultivar of the Abies genus, which comprises evergreen coniferous trees known for their whorled branches and narrow, flattened leaves with a whitish underside. This cultivar has a columnar upright habit and retains its evergreen foliage throughout the year. It thrives in full sun and prefers sheltered positions with moist but well-drained, acidic loam soil. Hardy to UK zone H7, it is suitable for architectural planting and low-maintenance gardens, offering winter interest.

Greek fir 'Meyer’s Dwarf' is a hardy, low-maintenance evergreen conifer with architectural form, thriving in full sun and adding winter interest.

Abies cephalonica 'Meyer's Dwarf'

Abies cilicica, also known as Cilician fir or Taurus fir, is a species of conifer in the family Pinaceae. It is found mainly in southern Turkey, and in a lesser measure in Lebanon and Syria. Abies cilicica and Cedrus libani, together with Acer hyrcanum subsp. tauricolum and Sorbus torminalis subsp. orientalis, are the predominant trees in the phytocoenosis Abeti-Cedrion, a type of forest of the middle and eastern Taurus Mountains of Turkey. Over 5,000 years of logging, burning, and grazing have reduced these forests to enclaves. In the wild it grows across Lebanon-Syria and Türkiye. Grow it in full sun and most soil types. In UK gardens it is fully hardy throughout the UK (RHS H7). It works well for architectural and low maintenance. It tolerates acid and neutral soils, moist but well-drained conditions and south-facing, north-facing, east-facing and west-facing aspects. Grow in deep, moist but well-drained, slightly acidic soil in a sheltered position. See conifer cultivation.

Cilician fir (Abies cilicica) is a member of the Pinaceae family, characterized by its evergreen nature and impressive height. This species boasts whorled branches with narrow, flattened leaves that display a distinct whitish underside, and it produces large cones that break down while remaining attached to the tree.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abies_cilicica

Abies cilicica

Abies delavayi 'Green Giant' is a cultivar of the Abies genus, which comprises evergreen coniferous trees known for their whorled branches and narrow, flattened leaves with a whitish underside. This cultivar has a columnar upright habit and retains its evergreen foliage throughout the year. It thrives in full sun and prefers sheltered positions with fertile, well-drained soil that can be clay, loam, or sand, and tolerates acid to neutral pH. Suitable for architectural planting and low-maintenance gardens, it is hardy to UK zone H7 and is best propagated by seed. Its seasons of interest are spring and summer.

Abies delavayi 'Green Giant' is a hardy, low-maintenance evergreen conifer with a columnar habit, ideal for architectural planting in full sun.

Abies delavayi 'Green Giant'

Abies delavayi var. motuoensis is a columnar upright evergreen coniferous tree belonging to the genus Abies, known for their tall stature and whorled branches with narrow, flattened leaves. This cultivar thrives in full sun and prefers a sheltered position with moist but well-drained, acidic loam soil. Hardy to UK zone H7, it is suitable for architectural planting and low-maintenance gardens. It is best cultivated in fertile, well-drained soil in sun or part shade, with propagation possible by seed or grafting. Its main seasons of interest are spring and summer.

Abies delavayi var. motuoensis is a tall, columnar evergreen conifer with narrow leaves, ideal for full sun and architectural, low-maintenance gardens.

Abies delavayi var. motuoensis

Abies densa, the Bhutan fir, is a conifer species in the family Pinaceae. It is sometimes included in the East Himalayan fir (A. spectabilis) as a variety. It is a tree up to 30–40 (sometimes to 60) m, with trunk diameters sometimes reaching 2.5 m. The bark is breaking to thick angular plates, the branchlets light grayish-yellow when young, later grayish-brown to gray. In the wild it grows across Assam, East Himalaya, Myanmar, Nepal and Tibet. Grow it in full sun and most soil types. In UK gardens it is fully hardy throughout the UK (RHS H7). It works well for architectural and low maintenance. It tolerates acid and neutral soils, moist but well-drained conditions and south-facing, north-facing, east-facing and west-facing aspects. Grows best in deep, moist but well-drained, slightly acidic soils in cool, humid conditions with high rainfall. See conifer cultivation.

Sikkim fir (Abies densa) is an evergreen conifer from the Pinaceae family, characterized by its whorled branches and narrow, flattened leaves with a distinctive whitish underside. This species is notable for its large cones, which break apart while still clinging to the tree, adding to its unique profile.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abies_densa

Abies densa

Abies fabri (Faber's fir) is a conifer species in the family Pinaceae. It is endemic to Sichuan in western China, occurring on the sacred mountain of Emei Shan (from where it was first described) and westward to the Gongga Shan massif, growing at altitudes of 1,500–4,000 metres (4,900–13,100 ft). It is a tree growing to 40 metres (130 ft) tall, with a trunk up to a metre in diameter, and a conical to broad columnar crown. The shoots are yellowish-brown, hairless or slightly hairy. In the garden it prefers full sun and most soil types. In UK gardens it is fully hardy throughout the UK (RHS H7). Suggested uses include architectural and low maintenance. It tolerates acid and neutral soils, moist but well-drained conditions and south-facing, north-facing, east-facing and west-facing aspects. Grows best in deep, slightly acidic, moist but well-drained soils in cooler climates. Prefers humid conditions with reliable rainfall. See conifer cultivation.

Faber's fir (Abies fabri) is a member of the Pinaceae family, recognized for its impressive stature as an evergreen conifer. Characterized by its whorled branches and narrow, flattened leaves with a distinctive whitish underside, this tree produces large cones that break apart while still on the branches.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abies_fabri

Abies fabri

Abies forrestii var. smithii is a cultivar of the Abies genus, which comprises evergreen coniferous trees known for their columnar upright habit and whorled branches with narrow, flattened leaves. This cultivar thrives in full sun and prefers sheltered positions with fertile, well-drained soil that can be clay, loam, or sand, and tolerates acid to neutral pH. It is hardy to UK zone H7 and is suitable for architectural planting and low-maintenance gardens. Interest in this tree is particularly noted during spring and summer seasons.

Abies forrestii var. smithii is an evergreen conifer with a columnar habit, thriving in full sun and ideal for architectural, low-maintenance gardens.

Abies forrestii var. smithii

Abies grandis is a fir native to northwestern North America, occurring at altitudes of sea level to 1,700 metres (5,600 ft). It is a major constituent of the Grand Fir/Douglas Fir Ecoregion of the Cascade Range.

Abies grandis 'Aurea' is a hardy H7 conifer with architectural form, thriving in full sun and adding interest in spring and summer.

Abies grandis 'Aurea'

Abies hickelii, commonly known as Hickel fir, is an evergreen coniferous tree with a columnar upright habit. As a member of the Abies genus, it features whorled branches with narrow, flattened leaves that typically have a whitish underside. This tree thrives in full sun and prefers fertile, moist but well-drained loam soil with an acidic pH. It is hardy to UK zone H7 and is suitable for sheltered positions. Abies hickelii is valued for its architectural form and low maintenance, showing interest in both spring and summer seasons.

Hickel fir (Abies hickelii) is a hardy, low-maintenance evergreen conifer with a columnar habit, ideal for architectural planting in full sun.

Abies hickelii

Abies holophylla, also called needle fir or Manchurian fir, is a species of fir native to mountainous regions of northern Korea, southern Ussuriland, and China in the provinces of Heilongjiang, Jilin, and Liaoning. It is an evergreen coniferous tree growing to 30 m (100 ft) tall and 1 m (3 ft) in trunk diameter with a narrowly conical crown of horizontal spreading branches. The bark is scaly and gray-brown with resin blisters. The leaves ("needles") are flattened, 2–4 cm (3⁄4–1+1⁄2 in) long and 1.5–2.5 mm (1⁄16–3⁄32 in) thick, spread at right angles from the shoot, and end in a point. In the garden it prefers full sun and most soil types. In UK gardens it is fully hardy throughout the UK (RHS H7). Suggested uses include architectural and low maintenance. It tolerates acid and neutral soils, moist but well-drained conditions and south-facing, north-facing, east-facing and west-facing aspects. Grow in deep, moist but well-drained, slightly acidic soil. Tolerates harder winters than many fir species. See conifer cultivation.

Manchurian fir (Abies holophylla) is a member of the Pinaceae family, known for its tall stature and distinctive whorled branching. This species showcases narrow, flattened needles with a characteristic whitish underside and produces large cones that break down while still on the tree.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abies_holophylla

Abies holophylla

Abies homolepis, also known as the Nikko fir or urajiro momi in Japanese, is a species of fir native to the mountains of Pacific-side central and southern Honshū and Shikoku, Japan. It grows at altitudes of 700–2,200 m, often in temperate rain forest with high rainfall and cool, humid summers, and heavy winter snowfall. In the garden it prefers full sun and most soil types. In UK gardens it is fully hardy throughout the UK (RHS H7). Suggested uses include architectural and low maintenance. It tolerates acid and neutral soils, moist but well-drained conditions and south-facing, north-facing, east-facing and west-facing aspects. Grow in moist but well-drained, slightly acidic soil. One of the more adaptable firs, tolerating a range of conditions. See conifer cultivation.

Nikko fir (Abies homolepis) is a member of the Pinaceae family, known for its tall, evergreen coniferous stature. This species exhibits whorled branches with slender, flat leaves that reveal a whitish underside, alongside notable cones that remain on the tree until they break apart.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abies_homolepis

Abies homolepis

Abies lasiocarpa var. lasiocarpa, commonly known as alpine fir, is an evergreen coniferous tree with a columnar upright habit. It belongs to the genus Abies, which comprises tall trees with whorled branches bearing narrow, flattened leaves that have a whitish underside. This cultivar thrives best in deep, slightly acidic, moist but well-drained loam soils and prefers full sun exposure in sheltered locations. Hardy to UK zone H7, it is suitable for architectural planting and low-maintenance gardens, offering seasonal interest in both spring and winter.

Alpine fir is a hardy evergreen conifer with a columnar habit, perfect for architectural planting in full sun, adding interest in spring and winter.

Abies lasiocarpa var. lasiocarpa

Abies mariesii, also known as Maries' fir and アオモリトドマツ (Aomori todomatsu), is a species of fir in the family Pinaceae. It is native to the mountains of central and northern Honshū, Japan. It grows at altitudes of 750–1,900 m in northern Honshū, and 1,800–2,900 m in central Honshū, always in temperate rain forest with high rainfall and cool, humid summers, and very heavy winter snowfall. Grow it in full sun and most soil types. In UK gardens it is fully hardy throughout the UK (RHS H7). It works well for architectural and low maintenance. It tolerates acid and neutral soils, moist but well-drained conditions and south-facing, north-facing, east-facing and west-facing aspects. Grows best in cool, humid conditions with deep, slightly acidic, moist but well-drained soil. Prefers areas with reliable rainfall and cool summers. See conifer cultivation.

Maries fir (Abies mariesii) is a member of the Pinaceae family, known for its towering evergreen conifers. Characterized by its whorled branches and narrow, flattened leaves with a distinctive whitish underside, this species produces large cones that break down while remaining on the tree.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abies_mariesii

Abies mariesii

Abies nephrolepis, commonly known as Khingan fir, is a species of fir native to northeastern China (Hebei, Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning, Shaanxi), North Korea, South Korea, and southeastern Russia (Amur Oblast, Jewish Autonomous Oblast, Primorsky Krai, southern Khabarovsk Krai). It is a medium-sized evergreen coniferous tree growing to 30 m tall with a trunk up to 1.2 m diameter and a narrow conic to columnar crown. The bark is grey-brown, smooth on young trees, becoming fissured on old trees. The leaves are flat needle-like, 10–30 mm long and 1.5–2 mm broad, green above, and with two dull greenish-white stomatal bands below; they are spirally arranged, but twisted at the base to lie flattened either side of and forwards across the top of the shoots. Grow it in full sun and most soil types. In UK gardens it is fully hardy throughout the UK (RHS H7). It works well for architectural and low maintenance.

Abies nephrolepis, commonly known as the Manchurian fir or Khingan fir, belongs to the Pinaceae family of evergreen conifers. This species showcases the characteristic whorled branching and flattened leaves with a whitish underside, while its upper branches bear large cones that remain on the tree as they break apart.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abies_nephrolepis

Abies nephrolepis

Abies nephrolepis, commonly known as Khingan fir, is a species of fir native to northeastern China, North Korea, South Korea, and southeastern Russia.

Abies nephrolepis var. gracilis is a hardy H7 fir, perfect for architectural planting with winter interest and full sun exposure.

Abies nephrolepis var. gracilis

Abies nordmanniana, the Nordmann fir or Caucasian fir, is a fir indigenous to the mountains south and east of the Black Sea, in Turkey, Georgia and the Russian Caucasus. It occurs at elevations of 900–2,200 m on mountains with precipitation of over 1,000 mm.

Abies nordmanniana 'Peli' is a hardy Nordmann fir ideal for architectural planting, thriving in full sun with low maintenance from spring to summer.

Abies nordmanniana 'Peli'

Abies nordmanniana 'Reginac' is a cultivar of the Abies genus, which comprises evergreen coniferous trees known for their columnar upright habit and whorled branches with narrow, flattened leaves. This cultivar maintains the evergreen foliage typical of the genus and thrives in full sun with a sheltered exposure. It prefers fertile, moist but well-drained soils such as clay, loam, or sand with an acid to neutral pH. Hardy to UK zone H7, 'Reginac' is suitable for architectural planting and low-maintenance gardens, offering seasonal interest in spring and summer.

Abies nordmanniana 'Reginac' is an evergreen conifer with a columnar habit, ideal for architectural planting and low maintenance in full sun.

Abies nordmanniana 'Reginac'

Abies spectabilis, the East Himalayan fir, is a conifer species in the family Pinaceae and the genus Abies. It is sometimes held to include the Bhutan fir (A. densa) as a variety. It is found in Afghanistan, China (Tibet), northern India, Nepal, and Pakistan. It is a large tree, up to 50 m (160 ft) tall. In the wild it grows across Afghanistan, Nepal, Pakistan, Tibet and West Himalaya. Grow it in full sun and most soil types. In UK gardens it is fully hardy throughout the UK (RHS H7). It works well for architectural and low maintenance. It tolerates acid and neutral soils, moist but well-drained conditions and south-facing, north-facing, east-facing and west-facing aspects. Grow in deep, moist but well-drained, slightly acidic soil in a cool, humid, sheltered position. Prefers areas with high rainfall. See conifer cultivation.

Abies spectabilis, commonly known as the Himalayan fir or king pine, is a towering member of the Pinaceae family. This evergreen conifer showcases whorled branches that hold narrow, flattened leaves, often with a distinctive whitish underside, and produces large cones that remain on the tree as they break down.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abies_spectabilis

Abies spectabilis

Abies veitchii, also known as Veitch's fir or Veitch's silver-fir, is a species of fir native to Japan from the islands of Honshū and Shikoku. It is very shade-tolerant when young, but is not long-lived. The name is derived from John Gould Veitch, who saw the common species on Mount Fuji in 1860 and identified it for European botanists. Grow it in full sun and most soil types. In UK gardens it is fully hardy throughout the UK (RHS H7). It works well for architectural and low maintenance. It tolerates acid and neutral soils, moist but well-drained conditions and south-facing, north-facing, east-facing and west-facing aspects. Grow in moist but well-drained, slightly acidic soil. One of the faster-growing firs, tolerating a wider range of conditions than many species. See conifer cultivation.

Veitch fir (Abies veitchii) belongs to the Pinaceae family and is a member of the Abies genus, known for its tall evergreen conifers. This species showcases whorled branches adorned with narrow, flattened leaves that display a striking whitish underside, and it produces large cones that break apart while remaining on the tree.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abies_veitchii

Abies veitchii

Abies ziyuanensis is a columnar upright evergreen coniferous tree belonging to the genus Abies, known for their whorled branches and narrow, flattened leaves with a whitish underside. This cultivar thrives in full sun and prefers sheltered positions with moist but well-drained, acidic loam soil. Hardy to UK zone H7, it is suitable for architectural planting and low-maintenance gardens. Its season of interest spans spring and summer, reflecting the genus's characteristic production of substantial cones on upper branches that disintegrate while still attached to the tree.

Abies ziyuanensis is a columnar evergreen conifer with whorled branches, ideal for architectural planting in full sun and sheltered spots, hardy to RHS H7.