Cedrus libani subsp. atlantica Glauca - Blue Atlas Cedar

The Cedrus libani 'Atlantica Glauca' is a sumptuous variety with the bluish foliage of the Atlas Cedar discovered in France in 1867. Its ample and pyramidal habit is slightly tighter than the type and its young shoots are a magnificent blue-silver in spring. In summer, its dark grey branches play hide-and-seek with a more silvery foliage that wonderfully reflects the light. Growing rather slowly during its early years, this robust conifer becomes an imposing presence over time, with an extraordinary aesthetic, absolutely superb in a large garden!

The Cedrus libani subsp atlantica, better known as the Atlas Cedar, blue cedar or silver cedar, is considered a subspecies of the Cedar of Lebanon. It is a majestic conifer, native to the Atlas Mountains, the mountain range that extends through Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia. This imposing conifer has a tabular habit when mature, and a more slender silhouette than its cousin, the Cedar of Lebanon. This source of light has excellent longevity. It stands out from other cedars with its upright branches and short, non-prickly needles.

The 'Glauca' cultivar is distinguished by its blue-silver foliage, as well as its lighter and more closed branches. At maturity, it rarely exceeds 20 m (65 ft 7 in) in height and 10 m (32 ft 10 in) in width. This tree has a straight and wide trunk, which divides into large slightly upright branches. The bark, initially grey and smooth in young specimens, becomes rougher over the years. It peels off in small scales. The secondary branches are upright and pubescent when young. They bear dense foliage, in clusters of bright blue needles when they bud, becoming grey-blue with silver-grey reflections, which is very striking. "Flowering" takes place in early autumn. Each individual carries cylindrical female cones, flattened at the top, 5 to 7 cm (2 to 2.8 in) in length and green in colour, turning brown-purple. The male catkins are conical and brown in colour. The seeds take 3 years to ripen. They are nestled between the scales of the female cones, with a 2 cm (0.8 in) long wing.

The Atlas Blue Cedar deserves a prominent place in the garden. This majestic conifer, of imposing size, requires isolation to fully appreciate its beautiful silhouette and exceptional foliage. In a very large garden, several plants can be planted along a pathway. This pathway will then take on a whole new dimension, with an elegant and romantic style. Space the trees sufficiently so that they do not interfere with each other later on. Note that this tree is not only very hardy but also capable of growing in inhospitable, rocky, and dry soil in summer. The Atlas Cedar also adapts very well to bonsai cultivation.