Cedrus atlantica glauca - Blue Atlas Cedar Bonsai Seeds + FREE Gifts Seeds + Bonsai eBook, NEW

Cedrus atlantica glauca Bonsai Seeds

Blue Atlas Cedar

This elegant and stately tree is native to the High Atlas Mountains of Algeria and Morocco in Northern Africa. It is widely planted all over the temperate world and is especially useful for growing in hot and dry conditions where most other conifer species perform badly. It grows well in pots and makes an excellent bonsai subject. It grows best in full sun but can tolerate partial shade. Cedars can grow on a wide range of soil types including clay and dry sandy soils but does not grow well on wet and poorly drained sites. Fully grown it becomes a large tree of around 30–35m (rarely even 40m) tall, with a trunk diameter of 1.5–2m. Young trees are at first conical in shape with an open habit, this later develops into a broad crown that becomes flat topped with age. This tree needs a lot of space to reach its full majestic potential with low, long spreading branches that cast a dense shade. The needles are silvery blue-green to 2.5cm long; these tend to have a more silvery colour whilst the tree is young. It becomes more vivid glaucous blue as it ages. This tree is highly drought resistant and is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution and grows to its greatest potential when planted in a relatively sheltered location. Consider applying a thick layer of mulch around the root zone in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder zones. In harsh winter conditions (below -20C) the needles can lose colour and the tree can look a little 'thin'. When the new spring growth is made the tree soon recovers its rich glaucous blue colour. Although mainly used as an ornamental tree, plantations have been established in southern France for high quality timber production and in its native areas extensive logging is sadly still carried in largely unprotected areas of old growth forests.