Cedrus atlantica Glauca Group

RHS Plant Profile

blue Atlas cedar

RHS

Other common names

Atlas cedar

Synonyms

Cedrus libani subsp. atlantica Glauca Group
Cedrus atlantica f. glauca
Cedrus atlantica var. glauca

Conifers Trees

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Glauca Group are large evergreen conifers, at first conical, later developing a broad crown, with spreading branches bearing silvery blue-green needles to 2.5cm, long, and ovoid cones to 9cm. Variable, and good blue-leaved forms should be sought

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: West–facing or South–facing or East–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: Spreading branched
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: Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

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

Propagation

Propagate by seed or 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