{"product_id":"blue-cloak-white-fir","title":"Blue Cloak Weeping White Fir","description":"\u003ch1\u003eA Narrow, Weeping Blue Fir with Draping Branches\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBlue Cloak White Fir (\u003cem\u003eAbies concolor\u003c\/em\u003e 'Blue Cloak') is a graceful, narrow form of concolor fir whose soft silver-blue needles drape from sweeping, pendulous branches. It grows into a slender, irregular spire 15-25 feet tall, making a living sculpture wherever it is planted. Tough and drought-tolerant like other white firs, with a one-of-a-kind look.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBlue Cloak White Fir Plant Details\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eAttribute\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDetail\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eAbies concolor\u003c\/em\u003e 'Blue Cloak'\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Names\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBlue Cloak White Fir\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature Height\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e15-25 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature Width\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6-10 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGrowth Rate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate - 10-14 inches per year\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSun\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFull sun (6+ hours)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate; drought-tolerant once established.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUSDA Zones\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3-7 (Twin Cities is zone 4b-5a)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoil\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAdaptable; tolerates Minnesota clay-loam.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFoliage\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEvergreen - soft, silver-blue needles on draping, pendulous branches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWinter Hardiness\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReliable to -40F.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDeer Resistance\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGood - deer generally avoid firs, browsing them far less than arborvitae or yew.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNative Status\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot native; a western North American selection well adapted to the Midwest\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBlue Cloak White Fir Uses in Minnesota Landscapes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSculptural Weeping Specimen\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBlue Cloak drapes its silver-blue branches downward in a soft, cascading veil, and no two plants are shaped alike. Staked to a leader it becomes a flowing blue waterfall; left lower it sprawls and weeps. Either way it is a true focal point - set it near an entry or patio in Edina or Wayzata where its color and form can be seen from every angle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eNarrow Vertical Blue Accent\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt 15-25 feet tall but only 6-10 feet wide, it brings the blue color of a Colorado spruce in a slimmer, more graceful package. Use it as a vertical accent in a Minneapolis or St. Paul yard where a broad blue spruce would crowd the space, and let its draping branches soften the line of a wall or bed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTough, Deer-Resistant Showpiece\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhite fir is notably cold-hardy and adaptable, shrugging off Minnesota winters and tolerating drought once established. And because deer browse firs far less than arborvitae or yew, Blue Cloak stays a showpiece even in high-pressure western suburbs like Minnetonka and Eden Prairie.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBest Time to Plant Blue Cloak White Fir in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs an evergreen, Blue Cloak establishes best when planted in late summer to early fall - late August through mid September is the ideal Twin Cities window, giving roots time to settle before the ground freezes and reducing winter desiccation. Spring (late April through May, after the ground thaws) is the strong second choice. Avoid midsummer planting, and never plant after mid-October or before the ground thaws.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow to Plant Blue Cloak White Fir\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDig the hole two to three times as wide as the root ball but no deeper - in heavy clay, go wider still and set the top of the root ball slightly above grade.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCheck for clay hardpan: if water pools in the bottom of the hole, break through the compacted layer or mound-plant. White fir wants well-drained soil and dislikes wet feet.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBackfill with the native soil mixed with 20-30% compost; avoid creating a pure-compost pocket that traps water around the roots.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDecide early whether to stake it upright or let it sprawl, and give it room - allow 6-10 feet of width for the draping branches.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBuild a 3-4 inch watering basin around the root zone, then flatten it before winter to prevent ice damage.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMulch with 2-3 inches of shredded bark or wood chips, kept a couple of inches back from the trunk. Do not use gravel mulch - it offers no winter insulation in Minnesota.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWatering Blue Cloak White Fir in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFirst Year Watering Schedule\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeeks 1-2: water deeply every 1-2 days, soaking the root ball slowly.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMonth 1-2: water every 3-4 days.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMonth 3 onward: water every 5-7 days through the growing season, easing off when rainfall is adequate.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStop watering 2-3 weeks before the ground freezes (late October in the metro). A single deep soak in early December helps if fall was dry, since evergreens lose moisture all winter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAfter Year One\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEstablished plants are quite drought-tolerant and need supplemental water only during extended dry spells.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWater deeply and infrequently, soaking to 6-8 inches, and let natural rainfall do most of the work.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWill Blue Cloak White Fir survive a Minnesota winter?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEasily. It is hardy to roughly -40F (USDA zone 3), well beyond the Twin Cities metro range of zone 4b-5a, and white fir is one of the more adaptable, cold-hardy firs you can plant.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow big does it get, and can I control the size?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt reaches about 15-25 feet tall and 6-10 feet wide, but the height depends a lot on staking - train it tall for a narrow weeper, or let it stay lower and more spreading. Either way it is far narrower than a standard blue spruce.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs Blue Cloak White Fir deer-resistant?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes - more so than many conifers. Deer generally avoid firs, browsing them far less than arborvitae or yew, which makes it a reliable choice in high-pressure western suburbs like Minnetonka, Wayzata, and Eden Prairie.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat makes Blue Cloak distinctive?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt combines two prized traits in one plant: the soft, silver-blue color of a white fir and a strongly weeping, pendulous habit. The result is a graceful blue cascade unlike any upright spruce or fir.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eYou May Also Like\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCandicans White Fir\u003c\/strong\u003e - an upright white fir with the brightest silver-blue needles for a bold color statement.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBlue Select White Fir\u003c\/strong\u003e - a classic blue-toned white fir specimen tree.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eConica Dwarf White Fir\u003c\/strong\u003e - a compact, cone-shaped dwarf white fir for smaller spaces.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWeeping Norway Spruce\u003c\/strong\u003e - a deep-green weeping conifer for a contrasting cascade nearby.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- tt-enriched --\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow Many Blue Cloak White Fir Do I Need?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBlue Cloak is a one-of-a-kind specimen conifer, not a hedging plant — most yards need exactly one, placed where its weeping silver-blue form can be admired year-round. Give a single specimen 8–10 feet of clear width so the draping branches never need shearing. For a larger composition, stagger a group of 3 at 10–12 feet apart in a conifer bed; because every Blue Cloak grows into a different shape, a loose trio reads as living sculpture rather than a row.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBlue Cloak White Fir Season-by-Season in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpring:\u003c\/strong\u003e Soft new growth pushes in pale silver-blue at the branch tips, brightening the whole cascade just as surrounding perennials emerge.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSummer:\u003c\/strong\u003e The full curtain of cool blue needles drapes against summer greens — the color holds without scorching in heat or drought once established.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFall:\u003c\/strong\u003e Needles stay silver-blue while deciduous trees turn, making it a striking counterpoint to reds and golds in the autumn landscape.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWinter:\u003c\/strong\u003e Its best season — the weeping blue spire stands out dramatically against snow, and the sturdy pendulous branches shed heavy snow loads without breakage.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAt a Glance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e✔ Evergreen   ✔ Deer-Resistant   ✔ Drought-Tolerant   ✔ Four-Season Interest\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant It With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/candicans-white-fir\"\u003eCandicans White Fir\u003c\/a\u003e — the brightest upright silver-blue fir; pairing it with Blue Cloak contrasts vertical and weeping forms in the same cool color.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/blue-select-white-fir\"\u003eBlue Select White Fir\u003c\/a\u003e — a classic upright blue-toned white fir that anchors a bed where Blue Cloak provides the sculptural accent.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/weeping-norway-spruce\"\u003eWeeping Norway Spruce\u003c\/a\u003e — a deep-green weeping conifer whose dark cascade makes Blue Cloak's silver-blue glow by contrast.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/bruns-weeping-serbian-spruce\"\u003eBruns Weeping Serbian Spruce\u003c\/a\u003e — another elegant narrow weeper with two-tone needles for a collector-style conifer grouping.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs Blue Cloak White Fir Right for Your Yard?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChoose Blue Cloak if you have a full-sun spot with decent drainage and want a deer-resistant, drought-tolerant evergreen focal point that looks like nothing else on the block — especially near an entry, patio, or window view where its winter silhouette earns its keep. It's not a fit if you need a uniform privacy screen or a predictable shape: every Blue Cloak grows differently, and it dislikes soggy, poorly drained clay where water stands.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Three Timbers Minnesota","offers":[{"title":"#15 \/ 3'","offer_id":54295917101361,"sku":"GT-E0075","price":274.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"#20 \/ 4'","offer_id":54295917134129,"sku":"GT-E0078","price":480.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0986\/0694\/0465\/files\/blue-cloak-weeping-white-fir.jpg?v=1779469308","url":"https:\/\/threetimbersmn.com\/products\/blue-cloak-white-fir","provider":"Three Timbers Minnesota","version":"1.0","type":"link"}