Atlantic White Cedar Chamaecyparis thyoides 'Rubicon'
ABOUT
The Chamaecyparis thyoides 'Rubicon', commonly known as the Atlantic White Cedar 'Rubicon', is a visually striking ornamental conifer. This plant exhibits a dense, columnar form, characterized by its elegant, upright growth habit that imparts a stately appearance. The foliage of 'Rubicon' is noted for its rich, deep green coloration, which takes on a beautiful purple hue during the cold months, bringing a splash of color to the winter landscape. The leaves are arranged in flat sprays, with a soft and feathery texture that can add a graceful touch to gardens. Each leaf is scale-like and overlaps with its neighbors to form a tight, overlapping pattern. The tiny leaves are held close to the stems, contributing to the plant's compact look. In terms of its reproductive features, the Atlantic White Cedar 'Rubicon' produces small cones that are not particularly showy, but they contribute to the plant's overall texture. These cones start out as green and mature to a brown color over time. Furthermore, the bark of the 'Rubicon' is reddish-brown and develops an attractive, peeling texture as the plant ages. Overall, the Atlantic White Cedar 'Rubicon' is appreciated for its year-round beauty and its ability to provide a vertical accent in landscape designs, making it an appealing choice for many garden enthusiasts.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Cupressaceae.
Synonyms
Atlantic White Cedar, Southern White Cedar, Whitecedar False Cypress.
Common names
Chamaecyparis thyoides 'Rubicon'
ToxicityTo humans
Atlantic white cedar is not commonly known to be toxic to humans. There are no well-documented cases of poisoning from this plant, which means there may be no particular symptoms associated with the ingestion of any part of this plant. However, as with any plant, individual allergic reactions or sensitivities can occur. It is always recommended to avoid ingesting plants not known to be safe for consumption.
To pets
Atlantic white cedar is not commonly known to be toxic to pets. It appears to be safe for pets, and there are no significant reports of toxicity in domestic animals from ingesting this plant. Nonetheless, pet owners should generally prevent pets from eating ornamental plants as they could cause digestive upset or an allergic reaction in sensitive individuals.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Green
Height
3-4 feet (0.91-1.22 meters)
Spread
2-3 feet (0.61-0.91 meters)
Plant type
Tree
Hardiness zones
4-8
Native area
North America
Benefits
General Benefits- Ornamental Appeal: Offers year-round visual interest with its dark green to burgundy foliage and narrow columnar form.
- Wildlife Habitat: Provides shelter for birds and small animals, enhancing local biodiversity.
- Low Maintenance: Requires minimal care once established, suitable for gardeners of all levels.
- Drought Tolerance: Can withstand periods of low water once established, reducing the need for frequent irrigation.
- Soil Erosion Control: Its root system helps stabilize the soil, preventing erosion.
- Windbreak: Can be used to reduce wind on property lines or in landscape settings.
- Privacy Screening: Its dense growth habit is ideal for creating privacy screens or hedges.
- Adaptability: Tolerates a range of soil types and conditions, though prefers acidic, moist soils.
- Winter Interest: Retains its foliage and form in winter, providing color and structure to the landscape during colder months.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Chamaecyparis thyoides 'Rubicon', commonly known as Atlantic White Cedar, can be used in model making due to its fine grain and ease of carving.
- The wood of Atlantic White Cedar is naturally resistant to decay and is therefore used for outdoor construction such as shingles, posts, and fencing.
- Atlantic White Cedar serves as an excellent plant for bonsai cultivation, offering an opportunity for hobbyists to shape and prune it artistically.
- Due to its dense foliage, Atlantic White Cedar can be used as a privacy hedge or a windbreak in landscape architecture.
- The wood's pleasant scent makes it a choice material for crafting aromatic closet liners and storage chests that repel moths and insects.
- Atlantic White Cedar is used in the restoration of wetlands and riparian zones, helping to stabilize soil and provide habitat for wildlife.
- The wood can be processed into wood chips or mulch, which can then be used in gardening and landscaping to suppress weeds and retain soil moisture.
- This plant is often incorporated into rain gardens because it tolerates wet conditions well, helping to filter runoff water and improve water quality.
- Atlantic White Cedar can serve as a substrate in terrariums or vivariums, providing a naturalistic look and helping to maintain humidity levels.
- The straight wood of the Atlantic White Cedar is favored for crafting musical instruments such as flutes and specialty woodwind instruments.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Atlantic White Cedar is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Atlantic White Cedar is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Longevity: As an evergreen, the Atlantic White Cedar (Chamaecyparis thyoides 'Rubicon') represents enduring life, often symbolizing immortality or eternal youth.
- Strength: The wood of the Atlantic White Cedar is valued for its resistance to decay and pests, symbolizing solidity and resilience.
- Protection: Historically, cedars have been thought to ward off evil spirits, making them a symbol of protection and safety.
- Purity: The clean, fresh scent of cedar is commonly associated with cleanliness and purity.
- Serenity: Cedar forests are often peaceful and serene, leading to the tree's association with tranquility and calmness.
WaterThe Atlantic White Cedar 'Rubicon' prefers consistent moisture and should not be allowed to dry out completely. Water the plant deeply once a week, providing about 1 to 1.5 gallons of water, ensuring that the soil is moist but not waterlogged. During periods of extreme heat or drought, increase the frequency to twice a week. In cooler, wetter months, reduce the watering frequency but don't let the soil become completely dry. The water should be applied directly to the base of the plant, avoiding wetting the foliage to prevent disease.
LightThe Atlantic White Cedar 'Rubicon' thrives in full sun to partial shade. It performs best when it receives at least 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. An ideal spot would be one where it gets morning sun and afternoon shade, or dappled sunlight throughout the day, to protect it from the intense afternoon sun.
TemperatureThe Atlantic White Cedar 'Rubicon' is hardy and adapts well to a variety of temperature conditions, withstanding minimum temperatures down to about -20°F. The ideal growing temperature range is between 40°F and 70°F. While it is quite cold-hardy, prolonged exposure to temperatures above 80°F may stress the plant.
PruningThe Atlantic White Cedar 'Rubicon' requires minimal pruning, mainly to shape the plant or remove any dead or damaged branches. Pruning should be done in the late winter or early spring before the new growth starts. Light trimming can help maintain its desired shape, but heavy pruning should be avoided to keep the plant's natural form.
CleaningAs needed
SoilThe Atlantic White Cedar, commonly known as 'Rubicon', thrives in acidic to neutral soil with a pH of 4.5 to 7.0. A well-draining soil mix composed of 50% peat, 30% perlite, and 20% pine bark is ideal to ensure proper moisture retention and aeration. Regularly check for compacted soil and refresh the mix as needed to maintain soil health.
RepottingThe 'Rubicon' Atlantic White Cedar should be repotted every 2 to 3 years or when the root system outgrows its current container. Repotting in the early spring is best, allowing the plant to establish itself before the growing season.
Humidity & MistingThe Atlantic White Cedar 'Rubicon' prefers moderate to high humidity levels. Aim to maintain a humidity level of 50% to 70% for optimal growth. This conifer does not thrive in dry indoor environments without supplemental humidity.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place 'Rubicon' near bright window, avoid direct strong sun.
Outdoor
Ensure full sun to part shade, protect from harsh winds.
Hardiness zone
4-8 USDA
Life cycleChamaecyparis thyoides 'Rubicon', commonly known as the Red Star Atlantic White Cedar, begins its life cycle with seed germination, which occurs when conditions of moisture and temperature are suitable. Seedlings emerge and grow into juvenile plants, establishing a root system and developing foliage. As it enters the vegetative growth stage, 'Rubicon' develops a conical to columnar shape with dense, scale-like leaves that are a characteristic reddish-purple color, especially in colder months. The plant reaches maturity and starts its reproductive phase, producing small, round cones that require a year to mature, releasing seeds once they dry and open. These mature plants can live for several decades, during which they may experience cycles of growth and reproduction annually. The life cycle ends when the plant dies, either due to natural senescence, environmental factors, or disease, and its organic matter returns to the soil, providing nutrients for new growth in the ecosystem.
PropogationPropogation time
Early spring
Propogation: The Atlantic White Cedar 'Rubicon' is commonly propagated by semi-hardwood cuttings. The best time for taking cuttings is during the late summer to early fall. To propagate, a piece of the stem around 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 centimeters) long is cut and the lower needles are removed. The base of the cutting is then dipped in a rooting hormone to encourage root growth and inserted into a well-draining rooting medium such as a mix of peat and perlite. The cuttings should be kept under high humidity, for instance, by covering with a plastic bag or using a mist system, and in indirect light until roots are established, which can take several weeks to a few months depending on environmental factors. Once rooted, the new plants can be transferred to individual pots and grown on until they are ready to be planted out.
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