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Cedrus deodara 'Karl Fuchs' is often confused with:
Cedrus deodara Cedrus deodara
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Calocedrus decurrens Calocedrus decurrens
Cedrus deodara 'Devinely Blue' Cedrus deodara 'Devinely Blue'
Cedrus deodara 'Snow Sprite' Cedrus deodara 'Snow Sprite'
Cedrus deodara 'Karl Fuchs' has some common insect problems:
Pests of Conifers

Himalayan Cedar Cedrus deodara 'Karl Fuchs'

Other Common Name(s):

Other plants called Himalayan Cedar:

Description

Karl Fuchs Himalayan Cedar is a large silvery blue needled evergreen tree with pendulous branches that droop down at the tips.  It will take about 10 years to reach a height and width of 10 feet by 6 feet but will continue to grow at a rate of about 6-8 inches each year.  The parent of this plant was discovered in Afghanistan and cultivated by Karl Fuchs in Scheveningen, Germany in the mid-1970's.

Plant it in the full sun to partial shade in moist well-drained soil.  Use this striking tree as a specimen or accent in the garden with lighter green foliage plants in front.  Narrow vertical spaces are ideal for its upright pyramidal habit. It is a hardy plant, more hardy than Cedrus deodara.

It is adaptable to both moist soil or dry soil, however, will not tolerate standing water.

Differing from other cultivars of Cedrus deodora, 'Karl Fuchs' has a trailing leader and pendulous habit.  Easy to distinguish from other cedars as it is softer in appearance, more graceful and has longer 1.5" needles.

Its spring growth is a bright blue, maturing to green, giving this cultivar a very showy appearance.  It doesn't need pruning, in fact, it looks its best when not pruned.

Quick ID: 

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

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Soils with poor drainage can result in tip blight and root rot.

More information on Cedrus deodara.

See this plant in the following landscapes:
Mountain Ridge Top Garden - North Lawn and Upper Drive Border Mountain Ridge Top Garden - East Lawn and Lower Drive Border
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#hardy#drought tolerant#blue needles#conifer#showy leaves#needled evergreen#ornamentals#frost tolerant#evergreen tree#gray-green leaves#urban conditions tolerant#ornamental tree#long lived
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#hardy#drought tolerant#blue needles#conifer#showy leaves#needled evergreen#ornamentals#frost tolerant#evergreen tree#gray-green leaves#urban conditions tolerant#ornamental tree#long lived
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Cedrus
    Species:
    deodara
    Family:
    Pinaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Germany
    Play Value:
    Buffer
    Screening
    Textural
    Dimensions:
    Height: 12 ft. 0 in. - 35 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Needled Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Broad
    Dense
    Erect
    Pyramidal
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Fine
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    Occasionally Wet
    Available Space To Plant:
    6-feet-12 feet
    12-24 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Red/Burgundy
    Fruit Length:
    > 3 inches
    Fruit Description:
    Barrel shaped to ovoid upright cones with a rounded top grow in pairs or singular on the branches.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Flower Description:
    The flowers are fragrant, but otherwise unremarkable.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Needled Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Blue
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Needles
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Whorled
    Leaf Shape:
    Filiform
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    New growth is distinct bundles of up to 30 blue needles maturing to green and 1 1/2" long.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Gray/Silver
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    New stems are smooth maturing to rough and gray.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Lawn
    Meadow
    Recreational Play Area
    Vertical Spaces
    Landscape Theme:
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Barrier
    Screen/Privacy
    Shade Tree
    Specimen
    Street Tree
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Dry Soil
    Pollution
    Poor Soil