An Underutilized Landscape Jewel: Abies Koreana 'Horstmann Silberlocke'

When I came across it in a wholesale nursery, I had to buy one for the client and one for me. This slow-growing Korean fir has a significant presence in the landscape and is one of the most commented-on plants in my home landscape. The tree in these photos was planted ten years ago. It makes the perfect exclamation point for the landscape bed, growing only 4-6 inches a year. I particularly love it when viewing the silvery needles with a backdrop of creamy ivory Hydrangea quercifolia "Snow Queen" flowers.

Horstmann Silberlocke was released into the trade in 1979 by the breeder Guntner Horstmann in Germany. Its frosted, curling short needles glow in the landscape. It cannot tolerate wet feet, and is not particularly tolerant of air pollution or compaction but is very cold tolerant, hardy to zone 4. I have read from various sources that deer like to browse this fir, but I have heavy deer pressure in my neighborhood, and it has never been touched.

I can think of so many attractive combinations for this elegant fir. Pink knockout roses or the pink English rose "Ancient Mariner" underplanted with Artemisia "Powis Castle" or Nepeta racemosa "Walkers Low." Or maybe Helictotrichon sempervirens "Blue Sapphire" and lavender for a blue/silver sunny garden. If you are interested in a vignette showcasing woody plants, how about Horstmann Silberlocke, weeping Japanese Maple and dwarf oakleaf hydrangea, "Syke's Dwarf'. Try Hortsman Silberlocke in your landscape designs. I don't think you will be disappointed.