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Douglas Fir
Pseudotsuga menziesii
Douglas Fir is grown for its foliage rather than flowers, giving the garden structure and color all season long.
Mature size, hardiness zones, sun and the trait tags were checked against named botanical sources for this plant. The bloom months and water need on this page were not.
Growing Douglas Fir
Plant it in full sun. It prefers moderate water. It is hardy in USDA zones 4–6. Expect it to reach about 59 ft tall and 23 ft wide at maturity, in roughly 20 years.
When to plant Douglas Fir
Plant Douglas Fir in spring once the soil is workable, or by very early fall at the latest: an evergreen needs its roots down well before the ground freezes. For the middle of its hardy zones 4 to 6 range, that is April to June, or August on the fall side.
Month-by-month timing for your zone is on the planting calendar: for the middle of its range, start with zone 5 in April.
Good to know about Douglas Fir
Curated from university extensions, botanic gardens and other primary sources, with the source named on every note.
Worth knowing
Its most diagnostic feature is the pendulous cone: three-pointed bracts protrude between the scales like small tridents, a mark no true fir or spruce cone shares. per NC State and USDA Forest Service
Which variety to plant
For cold, dry sites pick the hardier interior Rocky Mountain form (var. glauca); for mild, wet regions pick a Pacific Coast source, which better resists needle cast. per USDA Forest Service and Penn State
Non-toxic to pets and people
Generally non-toxic to dogs, cats and people, and a common cut Christmas tree with soft needles. It is not listed on the ASPCA toxic-plant database. per NC State and ASPCA
Watch for needle cast
Two fungal needle-cast diseases are its main threat in mild, wet regions: soot-like black lines under the needles signal Swiss needle cast; yellow to reddish-brown spots signal Rhabdocline. per Penn State and UMass
Drought invites canker
Phomopsis canker attacks trees weakened by drought or winter stress, usually one to two years later, so steady moisture and cool, well-drained siting are its main defense. per UC IPM and NC State
Wildlife value, not deer-proof
Birds and mammals eat the seeds; deer and elk browse the foliage, so do not count it as deer-resistant. It hosts Pine White and Ceanothus Silkmoth caterpillars. per NC State
What pairs well with Douglas Fir
Good companions share its growing conditions and add something it lacks: an earlier or later bloom, a lower carpet in front, or structure through winter.
Witch Hazel
Takes full sun to part sun and moderate water; shorter at 9.8 ft, an understory layer; both are native plants.
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Drop this plant onto a 3D plan, see how it fills in, and watch your whole garden bloom across the year.