A large growing conifer that doesn't tolerate hot, dry and windy conditions. New growth is a soft blue-green color.
Plant Type
All Plants, Trees Coniferous
Hardiness Zone
4-6
Sunlight
full sun
Moisture
average to moist
Soil & Site
average to well drained, avoid dry and rocky
Fruit
3-4" long cones with prominent bracts
Leaves
flat needles, 1-1.5" long, new growth is soft
Dimensions
Reaches 40-80' in height by 12'-20' spread depending on the growing conditions and considerably larger in native sites. Allow plenty of room to spread.
Propagation
seeds
Cultivar Origin
Named after David Douglas a Scottish Botanist, who discovered the Douglas Fir in 1825.
Misc Facts
There are two different strains one found growing in the moist Pacific coast regions from Columbia to Mexico. The other found growing in the Rocky Mountains.
Author's Notes
The beauty of these plants is the branches cascading down to the ground. Not plants pruned up into Lolli-pops or plants that have lower sections carved out to allow cars or humans to pass. Three basic requirements are needed to keep a vertical, pyramidal conifer alive and true to physical form. One is to match the plant to the site. Two is to give it room to spread. Three is to use an expanding mulch ring around the outside of the plant.
Notes & Reference
#01-Manual of Woody Landscape Plants (Michael Dirr), #55-The Garden Book for Wisconsin (Melinda Myers)