Where: Plant in full sun to light shade and the soil must be well-drained. Size: The dwarf balsam fir will grow to be 3 feet tall and 3 feet wide when mature. Care: Water regularly during dry periods.

WHAT: Dwarf balsam fir, also known as abies balsamea nana, is a good choice for rock gardens and mixed border plantings thanks to its compact size and relatively stout shape.

For everyone else, go ahead and plant a Dwarf Balsam Fir: It has dark green, fragrant needles and keeps its tidy, rounded shape. BUY NOW ($110) 13. Dwarf Hiba Cedar.

Dwarf plants are significantly smaller at maturity and have smaller foliage than their species. True genetic dwarf plants mature at only 1 or 2 feet, according to the site.

Dwarf conifers are becoming more available at retail nurseries. Galen Gates, senior horticulturist at the Chicago Botanic Garden, singles out five types that grow well in the Chicago area (if not s… ...