‘Horstmann’ Blue Atlas Cedar – by Steve Huddleston

Blue Atlas cedars have been used in Texas landscapes for several decades. They’re large trees that can mature at 40 to 60 ft. tall.

‘Horstmann’, however, is a slow-growing, semi-dwarf cultivar that matures at 12 ft. tall and 8 ft. wide, perfect for smaller landscapes.

It has an irregular growth habit with horizontally tiered branches and highly ornamental, silvery-blue needles that hold their color well throughout the winter.

It’s the small needles and cool blue color that give this plant its fine visual texture. Click image for larger view.

Its fine texture sets this tree apart from other landscape plants, most of which have coarser foliage, making it a perfect candidate for textural contrast and landscaping interest year ‘round.

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‘Horstmann’ makes a perfect accent plant when used alone or in groupings. It functions well when planted at the corner of a house or in a row of three (or any odd number) along a drive or as a backdrop in a long bed featuring shrubs, perennials, ornamental grasses and annuals. Its small size and slow growth rate make it ideal as a container specimen for the patio or near an entryway. Use it in rock gardens, conifer gardens, blue-themed gardens, wildlife plantings or xeriscape areas.

Here’s ‘Horstmann’ in a landscape setting where its striking appearance creates drama to its part of the garden. Click image for larger view.

Here’s what you’ll want to know…
• Common name: ‘Horstmann Blue Atlas Cedar
• Scientific name: Cedrus atlantica ‘Horstmann’
• Native home of the species: Atlas Mountains of North and Central Morocco to North Algeria
• Hardiness Zones: Zones 6-9 (includes all parts of Texas)
• Cultivar ‘Horstmann’ was introduced by Horstmann Nurseries in Germany
• Grows best in full sun

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Click image for larger view.
Click image for larger view.

‘Horstmann” Blue Atlas cedars make outstanding container specimens because of their tolerance of sun, moisture extremes and Texas temperatures.

• Any well-draining soil – intolerant of standing water
• Does well in soils pH of 5.5-8.0 (acidic to alkaline)
• Average water needs while young, drought-tolerant when established
• Water by hand to ensure deep soakings
• Grows slowly, only 6 to 8 in. per year
• Little pruning is needed except to remove unwanted branches
• Reportedly good resistance to deer
• Benefits from being planted in a somewhat protected location

Posted by Steve Huddleston

About the Author

Steve Huddleston served as Senior Horticulturist at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden before his retirement. He then returned to the Garden as Public Relations Manager. He retired from that second position as well, but don’t expect to see him in the domino hall. Steve manages his own landscape design business which still gives him an opportunity to create beauty with plants. And, Grandpa Steve is going to be spending special family time in the future as well. And, of course, write for e-gardens monthly.

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