Cedrus (Cedar)

Cedrus Trees & Cedar Conifers

Majestic Evergreen Conifers for Specimen Planting, Large Gardens & Year-Round Structure

Cedrus, commonly known as Cedar, is a magnificent group of evergreen conifers renowned for their impressive structure, distinctive foliage and elegant spreading branches. Cedars are some of the most striking ornamental conifers available and can develop into spectacular specimen trees with considerable presence in the landscape.

Depending on the variety, Cedrus can display foliage ranging from rich green through to striking blue-grey and silvery-blue, while growth habits can vary from large, spreading trees to more compact, weeping or architectural forms.

Their strong structure and evergreen foliage make Cedar trees particularly valuable where year-round interest, height and architectural impact are required.

Why Choose Cedrus?

Cedrus trees combine beautiful evergreen foliage with an unmistakable architectural form.

Key benefits include:

• Evergreen foliage for year-round interest
• Impressive architectural structure
• Beautiful green, blue-grey or silvery foliage
• Excellent specimen trees
• Strong winter presence
• Long-lived when planted in suitable conditions
• Varieties with upright, spreading and weeping forms
• Excellent for large gardens and landscaped grounds
• Provides height and maturity to planting schemes
• Attractive cones on mature specimens
• Relatively low-maintenance once established

Different Types of Cedrus

The Cedrus genus contains several distinctive species, each offering its own appearance and growth characteristics.

Popular types of Cedar include Cedrus atlantica, the Atlas Cedar, Cedrus deodara, the Deodar or Himalayan Cedar, and Cedrus libani, the Cedar of Lebanon.

Individual cultivars can differ significantly in eventual size, foliage colour and growth habit, so it is important to choose a variety suited to the space available.

Cedrus atlantica – Atlas Cedar

Cedrus atlantica, commonly known as the Atlas Cedar, is an impressive evergreen conifer valued for its strong branching structure and attractive foliage.

Some of its best-known forms have particularly striking blue or blue-grey needles, making them excellent statement trees.

As they mature, Atlas Cedars develop considerable character and can become commanding focal points within larger gardens and landscapes.

They work particularly well as standalone specimens where there is sufficient room for their natural shape to develop.

Cedrus deodara – Himalayan Cedar

Cedrus deodara, commonly known as the Himalayan or Deodar Cedar, is admired for its graceful appearance.

Its branches can develop a softer, more sweeping habit, often with gently drooping tips that distinguish it from more rigidly structured conifers.

The combination of evergreen foliage and elegant branching makes Cedrus deodara an excellent choice for creating a large architectural feature.

Cedrus libani – Cedar of Lebanon

Cedrus libani, the Cedar of Lebanon, is one of the most iconic Cedar trees.

Mature specimens are particularly recognisable for their broad, spreading branches and impressive layered structure.

Given sufficient space and time, they can develop into magnificent landscape trees, making them most appropriate for large gardens, estates, parkland and substantial open spaces.

Blue Cedar Trees

Blue-foliaged Cedrus are particularly popular as ornamental specimen trees.

Their needles can range from subtle blue-green to much stronger steel-blue or silvery-blue shades, providing excellent contrast against surrounding green foliage.

Blue Cedars work particularly well within mixed conifer planting, contemporary landscapes and large borders where their foliage colour can be fully appreciated.

They can also create a dramatic contrast when planted alongside purple, burgundy or golden foliage.

Weeping & Architectural Cedrus

Not every Cedar develops into a traditionally shaped large tree.

Certain cultivars have been selected for their weeping, compact or unusually architectural growth habits, providing additional possibilities for smaller landscapes and feature planting.

Weeping forms can develop dramatic cascading branches and make particularly impressive standalone specimens.

Always check the eventual dimensions of the individual cultivar, as the mature size of different Cedrus varieties can vary considerably.

Where to Plant Cedrus

Cedrus generally performs best where it has plenty of room to develop naturally.

Depending on the variety, Cedar can be suitable for:

• Large gardens
• Lawns
• Estate planting
• Parkland
• Large borders
• Architectural planting schemes
• Specimen planting
• Contemporary landscapes
• Mixed conifer collections
• Statement planting

Larger-growing varieties should be positioned carefully, allowing sufficient distance from buildings, boundaries and other established trees.

Growing Conditions

Cedrus generally prefers a position with plenty of light and well-drained soil.

Once established, many varieties are robust trees, but good conditions during their early years will encourage healthy root development and strong growth.

For best results, provide:

• Full sun
• Well-drained soil
• Plenty of space to develop
• Regular watering during establishment
• Suitable conditions for the individual species or cultivar

Avoid planting in persistently waterlogged ground.

Planting Cedar Trees

When planting a Cedrus, prepare an area wide enough to allow the surrounding soil to be loosened thoroughly.

Plant so that the top of the rootball and natural root flare remain level with the surrounding soil. Avoid burying the trunk or planting the rootball too deeply.

Backfill carefully, firm the soil gently and water thoroughly after planting.

Larger specimens may require appropriate staking or support during establishment, particularly in exposed positions.

Watering Newly Planted Cedrus

Newly planted Cedar trees require regular watering while their root systems establish.

Provide a deep and thorough soak, ensuring water penetrates through the complete rootball rather than only wetting the surrounding surface.

Monitor newly planted trees particularly carefully during warm, dry or windy periods.

As Cedrus becomes established, its root system will become increasingly capable of accessing moisture from the surrounding ground.

How Big Does Cedrus Grow?

The eventual size depends heavily on the species and cultivar.

Many traditional Cedar trees can ultimately become very large, developing considerable height and spread. However, selected cultivars may remain smaller or develop completely different growth habits.

For this reason, customers should always check the mature height and spread of the individual variety rather than assuming all Cedrus will reach the same dimensions.

Choosing the correct position from the outset is particularly important with larger-growing Cedars.

How Quickly Does Cedrus Grow?

Growth rate varies according to the variety, age of the plant and growing conditions.

Young Cedrus can establish steadily when provided with suitable soil, adequate moisture and plenty of space.

As with most specimen trees, good establishment during the first few growing seasons is more important than encouraging excessively rapid growth.

Does Cedrus Need Pruning?

Cedrus generally looks best when allowed to develop its natural branching structure, so routine heavy pruning is not normally required.

Damaged, dead or poorly positioned growth can be removed where necessary.

Avoid unnecessary hard pruning into mature bare wood, as this can spoil the natural form of the tree and regrowth may be limited.

With architectural and weeping cultivars, selective pruning may occasionally be used to maintain the desired shape.

Is Cedrus Evergreen?

Yes. True Cedars belonging to the Cedrus genus are evergreen conifers, retaining their needles throughout the year.

This makes them particularly valuable for providing permanent structure and colour within larger gardens.

Although older needles will naturally be shed and replaced over time, the tree itself retains an evergreen canopy throughout the seasons.

Cedrus for Year-Round Interest

Cedar trees provide excellent interest throughout the year.

During spring and summer, fresh growth adds colour and texture to the canopy.

In autumn and winter, when many deciduous trees have lost their leaves, the evergreen needles and strong branching structure become particularly prominent.

As specimens mature, their distinctive silhouettes often become increasingly impressive.

What to Plant with Cedrus

Cedrus makes such a strong architectural statement that surrounding planting is often most effective when kept relatively simple.

Depending on the available space, good companions can include:

• Rhododendrons
• Azaleas
• Hydrangeas
• Heuchera
• Ferns
• Hellebores
• Ornamental grasses
• Ground-cover plants
• Other contrasting conifers
• Evergreen shrubs

When planting beneath an established Cedar, remember that conditions can become relatively dry and shaded beneath the canopy, so companion plants should be selected accordingly.

Buy Cedrus & Cedar Trees Online

Our range of Cedrus and Cedar Trees for sale includes carefully selected evergreen conifers chosen for their beautiful foliage, architectural structure and impressive garden presence.

From traditional green Cedars to spectacular blue-foliaged, weeping and architectural varieties, there are options for creating everything from a dramatic focal point to a magnificent long-term landscape specimen.

Whether you're planting a large garden, developing a conifer collection or simply looking for an evergreen tree with exceptional character, Cedrus offers year-round structure and timeless appeal.

Shop our range of Cedrus and Cedar Trees online and discover impressive evergreen specimens for adding height, colour and architectural interest to your garden