Cunninghamia, Genus, lanceolata, Species, 'Glauca', Cultivar,
- Genus & species
- Cultivar
blue China fir
Species native to southern China, Taiwan, and northern Vietnam; 'Glauca' is a garden cultivar selected for silvery blue-gray foliage
Overview
Cunninghamia lanceolata 'Glauca' is a large coniferous evergreen tree selected for silvery blue-gray to blue-green foliage, growing 30-50 feet (9-15 m) tall and 15-20 feet (4.5-6 m) wide with a broadly pyramidal to conical crown and strongly whorled horizontal branch tiers. Glauca means glaucous or blue-gray. Needles differ from typical Cupressaceae: stiff, lance-shaped, sharply pointed, 1-2.5 inches (2.5-6 cm) long, arranged in two ranks along the branchlets in flat sprays — silvery blue-gray to blue-green on both surfaces with two white stomatal bands beneath, showing more vivid blue coloration than the straight species. Reddish-brown bark exfoliates in fibrous vertical strips exposing orange-red inner bark. Dead brown inner foliage persists on branches before dropping, which is a normal species character rather than dieback. Ovoid cones, 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm), ripen brown. The species regenerates from old wood after hard pruning — a trait not shared by most conifers. Drought-tolerant once established. Non-toxic. Deer-resistant.
Native Range
Species native to montane forests of southern China, Taiwan, and northern Vietnam at 600-4,900 feet (200-1,500 m) elevation. 'Glauca' is a garden cultivar.Suggested Uses
Grown as a large blue-foliaged specimen or screen tree on sites with room for 30-50 foot (9-15 m) height and 15-20 foot (4.5-6 m) spread, spaced 15-20 feet (4.5-6 m) apart. The silvery blue-gray lance-needle foliage and whorled branch architecture separate it from other cultivated blue conifers. Non-toxic. Hardy in zones 7-9.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height30' - 50'
Width/Spread15' - 20'
Colors
Bloom Information
Male and female cones appear in late winter to early spring (February-March). Male cones cluster at branch tips. Female cones are ovoid, 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm), ripen brown in fall, and persist on the tree for several years before disintegrating.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
silvery blue-gray to blue-green; two white stomatal bands beneathGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-10 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
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Site in full sun in moist, well-drained, acidic to neutral soil with a pH of 5.0-7.0; tolerates partial shade but develops a more open crown. Water consistently during the first two to three growing seasons. Moderate drought tolerance once established. Tolerates hard pruning and regenerates from old wood — a trait not shared by most conifers, so old specimens that have become overgrown can be cut back substantially. Dead brown inner foliage is a normal species character and does not require removal. Waterlogged soils cause root decline. Non-toxic. Deer-resistant. Hardy in zones 7-9.Pruning
No routine pruning is required to maintain the pyramidal form. Lower branches may be removed to expose the ornamental bark. Hard pruning is tolerated and regeneration from old wood follows; overgrown specimens can be cut back substantially. Remove dead exterior branches in late spring (May).Pruning Schedule
Prune: May
late spring
