Cedrus atlantica 'Glauca Fastigiata', narrow blue Atlas cedar
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Coniferous Trees

Cedrus atlantica 'Glauca Fastigiata'

narrow blue Atlas cedar

Pinaceae

Atlas Mountains of Algeria and Morocco; 'Glauca Fastigiata' is a cultivar for narrow columnar form + blue foliage

At a Glance

TypeTree
HabitUpright
FoliageEvergreen
Height30-50 feet (9-15 m)
Width8-12 feet (2.4-3.7 m)
Maturity30 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

6 - 9
Zone 6
Zone 7
Zone 8
Zone 9
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Deer Resistant
Drought Tolerant
Fragrant (light)
Maintenancevery low

Overview

Cedrus atlantica 'Glauca Fastigiata' is a large, evergreen coniferous tree in the family Pinaceae, a cultivar of Atlas cedar combining intensely silvery-blue foliage with a strongly COLUMNAR (fastigiate) habit — much narrower than the broadly spreading straight species or 'Glauca.' 'Glauca' means 'glaucous/blue-gray'; 'Fastigiata' means 'with branches erect and close together.' Trees grow 30–50 feet (9–15 m) tall but only 8–12 feet (2.4–3.7 m) wide. Branches are held more or less upright, hugging the central leader, rather than the wide-spreading horizontal tiers of the straight species. The needles are the same intense silvery-blue as 'Glauca,' in dense spur-shoot clusters of 20–45. UPRIGHT BARREL-SHAPED CONES 2–3 inches (5–8 cm) on mature specimens. Highly drought-tolerant once established. Non-toxic.

Native Range

Species native to the Atlas Mountains of Algeria and Morocco. 'Glauca Fastigiata' is a cultivar selected for a narrow columnar habit combined with silvery-blue foliage.

Suggested Uses

Cedrus atlantica 'Glauca Fastigiata' is planted as a vertical accent specimen in Pacific Northwest gardens where a large, narrow, blue conifer is desired. The fastigiate columnar form allows use in narrower settings than the broadly spreading 'Glauca' while retaining the same striking silvery-blue foliage color. Effective as a strong vertical element in formal garden designs, avenue plantings, or as a focal point where horizontal spread is limited.

How to Identify

Cedrus atlantica 'Glauca Fastigiata' is identified as a narrowly columnar large evergreen conifer with INTENSELY SILVERY-BLUE NEEDLES in dense spur-shoot clusters of 20–45. 'Fastigiata' = 'columnar/upright branches'; 'Glauca' = 'glaucous/blue.' NARROW COLUMNAR FORM (8–12 ft wide at 30–50 ft tall) — far narrower than the broadly spreading 'Glauca' (30–40 ft wide). Branches more upright vs. horizontal tiered branches of straight species and 'Glauca.' Still produces UPRIGHT BARREL CONES disintegrating on tree. Distinguished from Callitropsis nootkatensis 'Pendula' by upright (not pendulous) branches and blue spur-shoot needle clusters.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height30' - 50'
Width/Spread8' - 12'

Reaches mature size in approximately 30 years

Colors

Flower Colors

brown
green

Foliage Colors

blue
silver

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~4 weeks
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Fall
Pollen released from small upright male strobili in October–November. Upright barrel-shaped female cones 2–3 inches (5–8 cm) develop over 2–3 years on mature specimens, disintegrating on the tree. Wind-pollinated.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

UPRIGHT BARREL-SHAPED CONES 2–3 inches; disintegrate on tree; pollen Oct–Nov; wind-pollinated

Foliage Description

INTENSELY SILVERY-BLUE; spur-shoot clusters 20–45; 'Glauca' = 'glaucous/blue'; 'Fastigiata' = 'columnar/upright branches'; narrow 8–12 ft wide at 30–50 ft tall; branches upright vs. horizontal in straight species; UPRIGHT BARREL CONES; DATA CORRECTIONS: species empty string → 'atlantica'; subspecies/variety empty strings → null; rewrote curly-brace prose

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun
Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.5(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
loamsandrocky
Drainage
well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

20-30 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Cedrus atlantica 'Glauca Fastigiata' requires full sun in well-drained, acidic to neutral soil with a pH of 5.5–7.5. Highly drought-tolerant once established. Requires excellent drainage. The narrow form makes it suitable for tighter spaces than the straight species or 'Glauca,' though still requires planning for mature height of 30–50 feet (9–15 m). Blue foliage is most vivid in full sun. No fertilizer required in adequate soils.

Pruning

No pruning required for natural form. The fastigiate habit is self-maintaining. Remove dead or damaged branches in spring. Do not attempt to alter the upright branching structure. Lower branches may be removed to raise the crown as the tree matures.

Pruning Schedule

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late spring

Maintenance Level

very low

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic