Blue Atlas Cedar Cedrus atlantica (Glauca Group) 'Glauca'
ABOUT
The Cedar 'Glauca' is a captivating plant known for its striking blue-green needles and a graceful, pyramidal shape. Renowned for its silvery-blue foliage, it's an evergreen conifer that creates a serene and majestic presence in any landscape. The branches of this cedar are arranged in a horizontal fashion, and they exhibit a tiered appearance. As an evergreen, this cedar retains its colorful foliage throughout the year. The needles are quite dense and appear in clusters, providing a full look. These needles have a distinctive sharp point at their ends, contributing to the tree's texture. During the growing season, the plant may also produce cones. These cones start out green but mature to a woody brown as they age. The bark of the Cedar 'Glauca' is deeply fissured, with an attractive grayish color that provides a wonderful contrast to the blue-green of the needles and adds to the overall visual interest of the plant. This contrast is particularly notable during the winter months when the plant retains its vivid coloration against the stark backdrop of the landscape. Overall, the Cedar 'Glauca' is valued for its ornamental look and its ability to bring year-round color and structure to gardens and landscape settings.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Pinaceae
Synonyms
Blue Atlas Cedar, Silver Atlantic Cedar
Common names
Cedrus libani subsp. atlantica, Cedrus atlantica, Cedrus argentea, Cedrus atlantica var. argentea.
ToxicityTo humans
The Blue Atlas Cedar (Cedrus atlantica 'Glauca') is generally not considered toxic to humans. There are no significant toxic effects reported for ingestion of parts of this tree by humans. Therefore, accidental ingestion is not typically associated with poisoning or adverse symptoms.
To pets
The Blue Atlas Cedar is also not regarded as toxic to pets. It does not contain any known compounds that are harmful to pets such as dogs and cats upon ingestion. Consequently, there are no specific symptoms of poisoning associated with this plant when pets ingest its parts. However, it is always best to supervise pets around plants and prevent them from ingesting plant material, as individual animals might have sensitivities or allergic reactions.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Blue-green
Height
40-60 feet (12-18 meters)
Spread
10-15 feet (3-4.5 meters)
Plant type
Tree
Hardiness zones
6-9
Native area
Atlas Mountains North Africa
Benefits
General Benefits- Landscaping Aesthetics: Cedrus atlantica 'Glauca', commonly known as the Blue Atlas Cedar, provides a distinctive silvery-blue foliage that adds visual interest and a touch of elegance to landscapes.
- Shade Provider: With its wide-spreading branches, it offers ample shade, creating cool areas during the hot summer months.
- Habitat for Wildlife: Blue Atlas Cedar can serve as a habitat and nesting site for birds and other wildlife.
- Durable Wood: The wood of Cedrus atlantica 'Glauca' is known for its durability and resistance to rot, making it valuable for construction and carpentry.
- Windbreak: When planted in rows, these trees can act as an effective windbreak, protecting gardens and buildings from strong winds.
- Soil Erosion Control: The root system of this cedar helps to stabilize the soil and prevent erosion, especially on slopes or in areas with loose soil.
- Privacy Screen: Due to its dense growth, Blue Atlas Cedar can be used as a natural privacy screen or living fence.
- Seasonal Interest: This tree provides year-round interest with its evergreen foliage, making it an appealing choice for landscapes in all seasons.
- Drought Resistance: Once established, Blue Atlas Cedar is relatively drought-tolerant, requiring less frequent watering and maintenance.
- Adaptability: It can adapt to a variety of soil types, although it prefers well-drained soils, making it versatile for different landscape conditions.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Cedarwood Oil: Extracted from the Blue Atlas Cedar, the oil is used as a fragrance component in perfumes, soaps, and incense due to its distinctive woody scent.
- Woodworking Projects: The wood of Blue Atlas Cedar is valued for its fine grain and is sometimes used in cabinetry, woodworking, and ornamental carvings.
- Moisture Repellant: Cedar wood, including that from the Blue Atlas Cedar, contains natural oils that repel water, making it suitable for outdoor furniture or fence posts.
- Closet Liners: The aromatic wood can be used to line closets, imparting a pleasant smell to clothing and acting as a deterrent for moths and other insects.
- Landscape Design: The Blue Atlas Cedar's striking blue-grey foliage and conical shape make it popular in ornamental and formal landscape design.
- Animal Bedding: Shavings from the wood can be used as bedding material for small pets, providing a pleasant scent and repelling insects naturally.
- Culinary Smoking: Like other cedars, wood chips from the Blue Atlas Cedar can be used for smoking meats to add a unique flavor, although its use is less common than other types of cedar.
- Traditional Dye: Historically, bark extracts from the Blue Atlas Cedar could be used to create natural dyes for fabrics.
- Photography Prop: The Blue Atlas Cedar's aesthetic appeal makes it a sought-after backdrop or subject in landscape and garden photography.
- Sound Absorption: Because of its dense foliage, the Blue Atlas Cedar can act as a natural sound barrier in gardens and along property lines.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Blue Atlas Cedar is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Blue Atlas Cedar is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Strength and Endurance: The Cedar of Lebanon, often referred to simply as Cedar, is known for its hardiness and longevity, making it a symbol of strength and the ability to withstand the trials of time.
- Sanctity and Purity: Historically, Cedar has been used in religious contexts, such as in the building of temples, and is often associated with spiritual purity and protection against evil.
- Eternal Life: Cedars are evergreen trees, meaning they retain their foliage all year round, which is why they have become symbols of immortality and eternal life.
- Peace and Healing: Cedar trees exude a calming fragrance which is believed to have therapeutic properties, symbolizing tranquility and the restoration of well-being.
WaterThe Blue Atlas Cedar (Cedrus atlantica 'Glauca') prefers moderate watering, with more frequent watering during its growing season in the spring and summer, and less during the dormant winter months. Typically, providing 1 to 2 gallons of water every 7 to 10 days works well, ensuring the soil is moist but not waterlogged. It's important to adjust the amount and frequency according to the climate and weather conditions, giving more water during hot, dry periods and reducing it when rainfall is abundant or the weather is cool. Overwatering can lead to root rot, so it's essential to let the soil dry out slightly between watering sessions.
LightThe Blue Atlas Cedar thrives in full sun exposure with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight day. A spot that is sheltered from intense afternoon heat can help prevent scorching in hotter climates, but overall, this tree is very adaptable to bright conditions. It's best planted in an open area where it can receive unfiltered sunlight throughout the day.
TemperatureThe Blue Atlas Cedar is hardy and can withstand a temperature range from approximately -20 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit. It prefers the cooler end of the range and can be planted in USDA hardiness zones 6 through 9. The ideal temperature range for this tree is between 30 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal growth.
PruningPruning of the Blue Atlas Cedar should be minimal, mainly to remove dead or damaged branches and to maintain its natural, aesthetic shape. The best time for pruning is late winter or early spring before new growth starts. Depending on the tree's size, pruning every 2 to 3 years is often adequate to keep it healthy and looking its best.
CleaningNot needed
SoilThe Blue Atlas Cedar thrives in well-draining soil with a mix of loam, sand, and compost to allow for aeration and moisture retention. The ideal pH for this soil mix should be between 6.0 and 8.0 to suit the needs of the Blue Atlas Cedar.
RepottingBlue Atlas Cedars, being large trees, are rarely repotted once planted in the ground. However, if grown in containers, young trees should be repotted every 2 to 3 years into larger pots to accommodate root growth.
Humidity & MistingThe Blue Atlas Cedar prefers a dry to average humidity level and does not require any special humidity considerations, making it well-suited to most outdoor environments where it can thrive without additional humidity adjustments.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Insufficient space indoors; needs large, sunny room.
Outdoor
Plant in full sun, well-draining soil, space to grow.
Hardiness zone
6-9 USDA
Life cycleThe 'Glauca' Atlas cedar (Cedrus atlantica 'Glauca') begins its life as a seed, usually distributed by the wind or animals. Once the seed finds a suitable location with enough sunlight and well-draining soil, it germinates, and a seedling emerges. As it grows, the sapling gradually develops a sturdy trunk and a distinctive conical shape with bluish-green needles, taking several years to establish itself. Maturing over many decades, the 'Glauca' Atlas cedar can reach heights over 100 feet and live longer than a century. It enters the reproductive stage, producing male and female cones, with the females positioned at the top of the branches; after pollination, these cones will mature and release seeds to begin a new cycle. Finally, like all living organisms, the 'Glauca' Atlas cedar will reach the end of its life cycle, typically due to environmental stresses, old age, or disease, after which it will decompose, returning nutrients to the soil.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring to Summer
The most popular method of propagating the Blue Atlas Cedar, or Cedrus atlantica 'Glauca', is through grafting. This technique involves attaching a scion, or a cutting from the desired tree, to a rootstock of a closely related species. The best time to graft Blue Atlas Cedars is typically late winter to early spring, just before active growth begins. Cuttings should be taken from healthy, mature trees and should include at least one bud. The scion is then carefully inserted into a split or notch made in the rootstock and held in place by tying or grafting tape, ensuring cambial contact between the two plant parts. The grafted area is usually sealed with grafting wax or a similar substance to prevent drying and infection until the graft has taken, which may take several months.
