Plant DetailShow Menu

Cedrus atlantica 'Glauca Pendula' is often confused with:
Cedrus atlantica Cedrus atlantica bark
Cedrus atlantica 'Glauca' Cedrus atlantica 'Glauca'
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Cedrus atlantica Cedrus atlantica bark
Cedrus deodara 'Devinely Blue' Cedrus deodara 'Devinely Blue'
Cupressus sempervirens Cupressus sempervirens
Cedrus atlantica 'Glauca Pendula' has some common insect problems:
Pests of Conifers

Blue Atlas Cedar Cedrus atlantica 'Glauca Pendula'

Other Common Name(s):

Other plants called Blue Atlas Cedar:

Previously known as:

  • Cedrus libani 'Glauca Pendula'
  • Cedrus libani subsp. atlantica 'Glauca Pendula'
Phonetic Spelling
SAY-drus at-LAN-ti-kah
Description

Easily trained as an espalier, (branches are trained to grow flat against a wall, supported on a lattice or a framework of stakes) Cedrus atlantica 'Glauca Pendula' makes a sculptural specimen statement in the landscape.  It has drooping, vertical branches with beautiful steel-blue needles and no well-defined central leader.  Its height and form can be controlled by training its central leader.  With proper support, the central leader will grow in an upward direction.  Without support, this same leader will tend to cascade downward.  

Allowing this specimen plenty of room to grow, away from sidewalks and streets, will give the branches room to spread and cascade.  With adequate elbow room, it will not be needing any pruning.  If the lower branches are pruned, it will take on an odd shape and lose its character.  

Although it prefers growing conditions that are deep, acidic and containing loam, it can be grown in other environments, such as clay or sandy soil and with pH that is neutral or alkaline.

Quick ID:

  • All Cedrus genus members have new needles that are born singly on stems
  • Needles are triangular to quadrangular in cross-section
  • Female woody barrel-shaped cones sit on top of the branches
  • Difficult to transplant

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  No serious issues.  Heavy snow can damage or break branches.  Tip blight may be a problem, as well as root rot or black scale.  

Sap-suckers often riddle the trunk with holes.  Can be unsightly, but not harmful to the tree.

Shelter from strong winds, as the branches can be damaged.

 

 

 

More information on Cedrus atlantica.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#sculptural#heat tolerant#drought tolerant#specimen#silver leaves#needles#blue needles#conifer#bonsai#salt tolerant#showy leaves#winter interest#espalier#needled evergreen#attractive leaves#humidity tolerant#dry soils tolerant
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#sculptural#heat tolerant#drought tolerant#specimen#silver leaves#needles#blue needles#conifer#bonsai#salt tolerant#showy leaves#winter interest#espalier#needled evergreen#attractive leaves#humidity tolerant#dry soils tolerant
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Cedrus
    Species:
    atlantica
    Family:
    Pinaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Northern Africa
    Fire Risk Rating:
    high flammability
    Play Value:
    Buffer
    Easy to Grow
    Textural
    Dimensions:
    Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 12 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 12 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Needled Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Columnar
    Weeping
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Fine
    Appendage:
    Thorns
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Loam (Silt)
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    12-24 feet
    24-60 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Fruit Length:
    > 3 inches
    Fruit Description:
    The fruits are a 3-6" oval cone.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Description:
    No flowers.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Needled Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Blue
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Prickly
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Needles
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Whorled
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    The powdery, steel-blue/green, 1" needles are borne in whorls, or tufted clusters. The needles are curved near the tip. Grown for its attractive foliage.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Coastal
    Lawn
    Meadow
    Patio
    Landscape Theme:
    Cottage Garden
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Specimen
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Heat
    Humidity