Athrotaxis laxifolia

RHS Plant Profile
summit cedar

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summit cedar RHS 1999
Conifers

Grows fairly slowly to 15m or more, the slender shoots clothed in ovate leaves to 6mm long; cones to 2.5cm long when mature

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

Higher than 12 metres

Max Spread

4-8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
more than 50 years
Max Spread
4-8 metres
Max Height
Higher than 12 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H5

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Cupressaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy
Genus
Athrotaxis are evergreen conifers with reddish-brown, stringy bark and small, scale-like leaves arranged spirally on the shoots; small green cones ripen in the second year to dull orange
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Tasmania

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moist but well-drained, moderately fertile, humus-rich slightly acid soil in full sun, with shelter from cold winds. Thrives in areas with cool, humid summers

Propagation

Propagate by seed in container or cold frame in late winter or early spring; root semi-ripe cuttings in late summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Architectural
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden

Pruning

Pruning group 1

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free