Abies holophylla

Abies holophylla (07/12/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun to light shade

Flowering period: Spring

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 30m

Eventual Spread: 10m

Hardiness: 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b

Family: Pinaceae

Abies holophylla is an evergreen coniferous tree with a conical habit. Its glossy mid green leaves are needle like and flattened, up to 4cm long and 2.5mm broad. Its trunk may achieve a diameter of up to 1m and its grey/ brown bark is scaly. Its male flowers are pale yellow pollen cones. Its fruit are upright cones, up to 14cm long, 5cm across, green when young, maturing to light brown.

Abies holophylla Leaf (07/12/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

Abies holophylla, commonly known as Manchurian Fir or Needle Fir, is native to north east China, south east Russia and north Korea. In its native habitat it grows in in mixed mountain woodlands.

The etymological root of the binomial name Abies is derived from the ancient Latin name for the Fir tree. Holophylla is derived from the Greek olos meaning ‘entire’ and and phyllon meaning ‘leaf’.

Abies holophylla Bark (07/12/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

The landscape architect may find Abies holophylla useful as an attractive ornamental evergreen tree suitable for parkland settings.

Ecologically, Abies holophylla seeds are attractive to some birds.

Abies holophylla prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. It dislikes dry soils.

Abies holophylla requires little maintenance.



Landscape Architecture

Pinus contorta

Pinus contorta (07/12/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun to light shade

Soil: Moist, well drained

Flowering period: Spring

Eventual Height: 15m

Eventual Spread: 8m

Hardiness: 1, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a

Family: Pinaceae

Pinus contorta Leaf (07/12/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

Pinus contorta is a fast growing evergreen tree with a conical to narrowly rounded crown. There is significant genetic variation within this variety of tree. Its pale green leaves are needle like with a serrated edge, up to 8cm long, 2mm across and appear in pairs. Its grey/ brown bark is platy to furrowed. Its trunk may achieve a diameter of up to 90cm. Its flowers are monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female on the same plant) and are wind pollinated. Its pale red/ brown fruit are pendant ovoid cones, up to 6cm long and 4cm across.

Pinus contorta Cone (07/12/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

Pinus contorta,  commonly known as Longpole Pine, Shore Pine, Beach Pine or Twisted Pine, is native to west North America. In its native habitat it grows near ocean shores and in dry mountain forests. This tree is considered an invasive species in New Zealand.

The etymological root of the binomial name Pinus is from the ancient Latin name for the Pine tree. Contorta is derived from the Latin contortum meaning ‘tangled’.

The landscape architect may find Pinus contorta useful as an evergreen tree. This tree is tolerant of maritime conditions and air pollution. Once established this tree is drought tollerant.

Pinus contorta Bark (07/12/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

Ecologically, Pinus contorta seed is attractive to some birds and mammals.

Pinus contorta prefers moist, humus rich, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. It tolerates nutrient poor soils.

The Royal Horticultural Society have given the variety Pinus contorta ‘Chief Joseph’ their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 2012.

Pinus contorta requires little maintenance.



Landscape Architecture

Picea torano

Picea torano (04/04/2015, Kyoto Botanic Gardens, Kyoto, Japan)

Position: Full sun to light shade

Flowering period: Late spring

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 30m

Eventual Spread: 8m

Hardiness: 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b

Family: Pinaceae

Picea torano is an evergreen conifer tree with an upright, pyramidal habit. Its dark green leaves are needle like, up to 2cm long and 2.5mm across. Its grey/ brown bark is smooth when young and deeply fissured and flaking with age. Its trunk may achieve a diameter of up to 1m. Its  monoecious flowers are wind pollinated, the male initially red/ purple and 3cm tall, the female ovate and green. Its red/ brown cones are up to 11cm long an 4.5cm across.

Picea torano Leaf (04/04/2015, Kyoto Botanic Gardens, Kyoto, Japan)

Picea torano, commonly known as Tigertail Spruce, is native to Japan. In its native habitat it grows as part of mixed woodland in a cool and moist maritime climate at an elevation of 600-1700m. Picea torano is synonymous with Picea polita. Picea torano is classified as Vulnerable in its native habitat according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

The etymological root of the binomial name Picea is derived from the Lain Pix meaning ‘pitch or tar’ in reference to the Spruce trees resin. Torano is from the Japanes vanacular toran-wo meaning ‘tiger’s tail’.

The landscape architect may find Picea torano useful as a large evergreen specimen tree which is suitable for wet climates.

Picea torano Bark (04/04/2015, Kyoto Botanic Gardens, Kyoto, Japan)

Ecologically, Picea torano seeds are attractive to some birds and mammals.

Picea torano prefers moist, humus rich fertile, well-drained soils. It will tolerate most pH of soil and prefers acidic soils.

Picea torano requires little maintenance.

Landscape Architecture