Cedrus deodara/Deodar cedar
Woody plant expert Michael Dirr calls this the "most graceful cedar" and I'm not surprised - it has graceful, sweeping branches, a pyramidal shape and good branch density. Walk carefully by it, though, because its long, blue-green needles are sharp.
Deodars start out dense and become wider and more open and artistic with age, eventually losing their lower branches. Notice their ultimate width - as much as 25 feet - and give yours enough room.
Thankfully, many smaller selections more suitable to the garden are available, some as sort as 1-foot-tall - great for alpine gardens.
Indigenous from Afghanistan to the Western Himalayas.
Photo credit: ArborDay.net
Details
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Moderate grower (2 feet per year) to 40-70 feet by 25 feet wide.
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Deer-resistant.
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Extremely adaptable to different soils, even high and dry conditions
- Hardy to either Zone 6 (some sources) to 7 (the Arbor Day site) so I'm worried about losing mine in a cold snap.
Care
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Very drought-tolerant after they're established. Mine is 4 years old, and I'm only watering it during long droughts.
- I've read that they're "adaptable to pruning" but I've never pruned mine and wonder what type pruning people are giving it.
- I've read that they can get root-rot if planted in poorly drained spots.
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Adapts well to being transplanted.
More Great Info in Print
- Gardening with Conifers
by Adrian and Richard Bloom - Confers for Gardens: An Encyclopedia
- A Garden of Confers
by Obrizok - Dirr's Hardy Trees and Shrubs
by the best-known authority on the subject.
Location Matters
My test garden is in the Washington, D.C. area, Zone 7A. If you have comments about this plant you'd like to see included here, send them along.