Cedrus atlantica

RHS Plant Profile
Atlas cedar

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Atlas cedar RHS
Atlas cedar RHS

Other common names

African cedar, Atlantic cedar, Mount Atlas cedar, silvery cedar

Synonyms

Cedrus libani subsp. atlantica

Conifers Trees
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A large, evergreen tree, conical when young but broadening with age with horizontally-spreading branches and downy young shoots. Narrow, needle-like leaves to 3.5cm long are a dull green to grey-green colour. Barrel-shaped, erect cones ripen to brown and mature over two years, breaking up whilst still on the tree

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

Higher than 12 metres

Max Spread

wider than 8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
20–50 years
Max Spread
wider than 8 metres
Max Height
Higher than 12 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or 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)
H6

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Pinaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Columnar upright
Genus
Cedrus are large evergreen trees with needle-like leaves arranged spirally on young shoots, and in whorls on short spur-like side-shoots; ovoid cones break up to release the seeds while still attached to the tree
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
N Africa (Mts)

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in any well-drained soil. Good specimen tree but needs space to reach full potential

Propagation

Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Architectural
  • Low Maintenance

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to conifer aphid

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus