Blue Atlas Cedar
Cedrus atlantica
Planted 2008
The Blue Atlas Cedar is native to the Atlas Mountains in Northern Africa. It is drought tolerant once established but is not reliably cold hardy. It is resistant to diseases and pests. Its needles are silvery blue or gray-green. When young its shape is pyramidal, but as it ages it becomes flat topped and wide.
| Height | Width | Zone | Growth Rate | Water Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40-60 ft. | 30-40 ft. | 6-9 | Medium | Medium |
Leaf
Needles, whorled. Silvery blue to gray-green. Clumps of 10-30 needles per clump, curved at the tip.
Fruit
Monoecious, female cones are purple, found in the upper parts of the tree. 3" long.
Flower
Male cones are brown, smaller than female cones at about 1" long. Found in the bottom part of the tree.
Advantages
Drought tolerant once established, resistant to pests.
Disadvantages
Not reliably cold hardy.