Austrocedrus chilensis

RHS Plant Profile

Chilean cedar

RHS 1999

Other common names

Chilean arbor-vitae, Chilean incense cedar

Synonyms

Libocedrus chilensis

Conifers

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A medium-sized columnar tree with dark grey-brown bark and dense, grey-green foliage; small ovoid cones are brown when mature

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

8-12 metres

Max Spread

2.5-4 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 20–50 years
Max Spread: 2.5-4 metres
Max Height: 8-12 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline 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): H6

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Cupressaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Columnar upright
Genus: Austrocedrus are columnar, evergreen conifers with flat sprays of tiny scale-like leaves, and insignificant flowers followed by small cones. Grown for the distinctive habit and foliage
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: Chile, Argentina

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in any moist but well-drained, moderately fertile soil in full sun; shelter from cold drying winds

Propagation

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

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Architectural
Low Maintenance

Pruning

Pruning Group 1

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free