Candicans Fir White Fir Grafted on Firma Root Stock Intermediate White Fir
Botanical Reference: Abies concolor
 
A tall, conical, open conifer. High visual impact due to bright white-blue needles. Provides a marvelous silvery pinnacle focal point in the landscape. Candicans means "becoming white." Prefers sun in well-drained soil. 10' tall x 5' wide in 10 years. Hardy to -40 degrees. USDA zone 4-8.
 
Attribution from The American Conifer Society
Abies concolor 'Candicans' / Candicans white fir
RECOMMENDED HARDINESS ZONES:4 (-20 to -30 F / -28.9 to -34.4 C)9 (20 to 30 F / -1.1 to -6.7 C)
HORTICULTURAL STATUS: EstablishedORIGIN: Seedling SelectionCOLOR: Blue TRINOMIAL TYPE: CultivarGROWTH SHAPE: Broadly PyramidalGROWTH SIZE: Large: greater than 12 inches (30 cm) per year / greater than 12 feet (4 m) after 10 years
 
Abies concolor 'Candicans' is a large growing, upright, tree-form of white fir that is considered by many to be the bluest of all conifers. Long, bright-blue needles grow to lengths of 2 inches (5 cm) or more; bark is smooth and silver-gray in color. Young plants grow with a somewhat open habit and may require staking to induce the development of a strong terminal leader. A mature specimen will easily measure 10 feet (3 m) tall and 5 feet (1.5 m) wide after 10 years, in the form of a perfect dense pyramid, suggesting a rate of growth exceeding 12 inches (30 cm) per year. This is a top choice for large landscapes and arboreta where it can be allowed to grow to its magnificent potential.
 
Origin
This cultivar originated as a seedling selected in 1929 by the Arboretum National des Barres, Nogent-sur-Vernisson, France. Despite being an old, well-established plant, it remains rare, despite being in the North American nursery trade since before or around 1965. Similar seedlings are said to have occurred from time to time. In the Latin language candicans translates into "white or hoary."
 
Public DIsplay
Bickelhaupt Arboretum
Climnton, Iowa
Heartland Collection of Garden Conifers