Cedrus deodara Feeling Blue - Himalayan Cedar

The Cedrus deodara 'Feeling Blue' is a recently introduced variety, unique for its dwarf habit, widely spread and bluish-green foliage! It is a slow-growing conifer with gracefully trailing branches and fine, flexible needles, ideal as a ground cover on a small garden slope, in a rockery, or as a border on a terrace. Hardy and robust, it requires a deep, light, and not too dry soil and a sunny location.

The Cedrus deodara, better known as the Himalayan cedar, belongs to the Pinaceae family. It is native to the temperate high-altitude forests (between 1500 and 3000 metres (4921 feet 4 inches and 9842 feet 6 inches) above sea level) that cover the southern foothills of the Himalayas. Its distribution range extends from Afghanistan to Tibet, India, Nepal, and Pakistan. It is a fine and fragrant species and is also the sacred cedar of Hindu temples. Sometimes planted in parks, although less often than its cousins, the blue Atlas cedar or the emblematic Lebanese cedar. Its unchanging conical habit, finer, lighter, and elegant, never flattens at the crown. Its tiered branches with slightly weeping tips bear draping foliage that is light green, soft, silky, and bright. It is a species that is sensitive to drying conditions and prefers deep but not too dry or too wet soils. It is one of the least hardy cedars, although it can withstand temperatures down to -15 °C. Frost can sometimes cause it to become bare. It particularly appreciates mild and humid climates, such as coastal climates, and generally prefers sheltered locations from winds and frost.

The 'Feeling Blue' variety is a recently introduced horticultural hybrid that stands out for its dwarf habit, widely spread, and bluish-grey foliage. It reaches an average height of 1 metre (3 feet 4 inches) with a width of 3 to 4 metres. It grows quickly in deep and moist soil. It develops a short trunk covered with a greyish, dark bark cracked into large irregular scales. Its branches, almost horizontal, bear trailing secondary branches. The terminal shoots, also trailing, give it a slightly weeping appearance. The needles are grouped in clusters. Measuring 3 to 4 cm (1.2 to 1.6 in) long, they are flexible and have a bluish-grey colour, silver in the light. Male and female cones coexist on the same plant. They measure 7 to 12 cm (2.8 to 4.7 in) in length and 5 to 9 cm (2 to 3.5 in) in width. They consist of fine scales, each housing a seed extended by a wing. These large seeds will germinate very easily after winter and exposure to cold.

The Cedrus deodara 'Feeling Blue' is an exceptional variety with its almost silver evergreen foliage and almost carpeting habit. Its small dimensions and slow growth make it very suitable for small gardens, rockeries, and container cultivation. Pair it with other dwarf conifers of different colors and habits and intensely colored heathers. Surprisingly, the sacred cedar also lends itself very well to bonsai or topiary cultivation.