Abies koreana ‘Horstmann’s Silberlocke’ Korean Fir

Horstmann’s Silberlocke Korean Fir is a show-stopping, pyramidal tree with exquisite, two-tone coloring on curled needles. The species Abies koreana is native to the high South Korean mountains, and the Horstmann’s Silberlocke cultivar was named for the nurseryman Gunter Horstmann, who introduced it in Germany in 1986-1987. This beautiful tree received the Royal Botanic Garden Award of Garden Merit in 1993 for its hardiness and stunning foliage.
Silberlocke grows slowly in a compact, pyramidal form at 4″ to 6″ per year, reaching 6′ × 3′ in 10 years. The dark green, fragrant needles curl upwards around the branches to display their bright, silver undersides, creating a two-toned effect. Abundant, 3″ purple cones sit upright on the branches and make a decorative contrast with the foliage.
This fir’s stunning colors and unique, compact form make it an excellent accent or specimen. It also does well in a mixed conifer grouping where it can show off its unusual foliage against other colored and textured trees and shrubs. Additionally, its size and slow growth make it a good choice for containers on a patio or either side of an entrance.
‘Silberlocke’ Korean fir grows in full sun to partial shade in USDA hardiness zones 5 to 7, especially in areas with cool summers, and doesn’t do as well in hot, humid regions outside its range. It is adaptable to various soil types as long as they are neutral to slightly acidic and well-draining. Water the tree thoroughly when planting and then as needed to keep it moist for the first year. Korean firs need to be kept consistently moist but not soggy – they will not thrive in saturated soil. Since ‘Silberlocke’ is compact and slow-growing, it won’t need pruning except to remove an occasional dead branch. As a bonus, this little tree is rabbit and deer-resistant.
Companion plants need similar cultural requirements, such as moist, slightly acidic soil, partial shade, and cool summers. Some flowering shrubs to plant nearby include hydrangeas, spiraeas, viburnums, ninebarks, and dogwoods. Dark green evergreens, such as hollies, pines, junipers, rhododendrons, and Japanese andromedas, provide a contrasting backdrop for Silberlock’s silvery foliage. Some flowering perennials that go well with the tree are liriope, small hostas, Virginia bluebells, bloodroot, Japanese anemones, iris, and hellebores. Spring bulbs, like crocuses, daffodils, hyacinths, tulips, Siberian squill, and snowdrops, bring a spot of color around the base of the tree while other plants are still dormant.