California Christmas Tree
Cedrus deodara
Large, pyramidal form with attractive gray green foliage. Graceful, arching branches. As name suggests, a wonderful living Christmas tree. Allow plenty of room in the landscape to best display this tree. Evergreen.
| Botanical Pronunciation: | SE-drus dee-o-DAH-ra |
| Key feature: | Year-round Interest |
| Plant type: | Conifer |
| Deciduous/evergreen: | Evergreen |
| Cold hardiness zones: | 7 - 9 |
| Light needs: | Full sun |
| Sunset climate zones: | 3 - 10, 14 - 24 |
| Water Needs: | Once established, needs only occasional watering. |
| Average landscape size: | To 40 to 50 ft. tall and 20 to 30 ft. wide. In their native range, to 150 ft. tall. |
| Growth rate: | Fast |
| Growth habit: | Pyramidal |
| Special features: | Easy Care, Improved Pest and Disease Resistance, North American Native, Waterwise, Year-round Interest |
| Landscape uses: | Privacy Screen, Seacoast Exposure, Specimen |
| Blooms: | Does not flower |
| Foliage color: | Gray-green |
| Item no.: | 2335 |
| Retailers for this plant: |
Care Information
Follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system. Watering can be reduced after establishment. Feed with a general purpose fertilizer before new growth begins in spring. Pruning time: winter.
Design Ideas
Great focal point and specimen in parks and large gardens. Give this tree plenty of room to spread as it will be the dominant feature in the landscape.
Companion Plants
Although the California Christmas Tree is a stand alone specimen with beautiful shape and form, you can continue the Christmas theme all over your garden with Yuletide Camellia, Santa Clause Fuchsia, Christmas Jewel Holly and the bright white and red blooms of Daylily, Bee Balm, Phlox and Candytuft.
History
This beautiful tree is classified into the Pinaceae family with most other conifers. The species was named by Scots botanist, David Don, 1799-1841 and his brother, George. Trees are native to the Western Himalayan Mountains where its local name is deodar, a Sanskrit word meaning "divine wood". They were officially introduced into cultivation about 1831 although they have been grown in Chinese parks and gardens for centuries. The wood is aromatic and is distilled into an oil used for incense and insect repellant. It is thought to have several Ayurvedic properties related to the digestive system.
Large, pyramidal form with attractive gray green foliage. Graceful, arching branches. As name suggests, a wonderful living Christmas tree. Allow plenty of room in the landscape to best display this tree. Evergreen.
Care Information
Follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system. Watering can be reduced after establishment. Feed with a general purpose fertilizer before new growth begins in spring. Pruning time: winter.
Design Ideas
Great focal point and specimen in parks and large gardens. Give this tree plenty of room to spread as it will be the dominant feature in the landscape.
Companion Plants
Although the California Christmas Tree is a stand alone specimen with beautiful shape and form, you can continue the Christmas theme all over your garden with Yuletide Camellia, Santa Clause Fuchsia, Christmas Jewel Holly and the bright white and red blooms of Daylily, Bee Balm, Phlox and Candytuft.
History
This beautiful tree is classified into the Pinaceae family with most other conifers. The species was named by Scots botanist, David Don, 1799-1841 and his brother, George. Trees are native to the Western Himalayan Mountains where its local name is deodar, a Sanskrit word meaning "divine wood". They were officially introduced into cultivation about 1831 although they have been grown in Chinese parks and gardens for centuries. The wood is aromatic and is distilled into an oil used for incense and insect repellant. It is thought to have several Ayurvedic properties related to the digestive system.
| Botanical Pronunciation: | SE-drus dee-o-DAH-ra |
| Key feature: | Year-round Interest |
| Plant type: | Conifer |
| Deciduous/evergreen: | Evergreen |
| Cold hardiness zones: | 7 - 9 |
| Light needs: | Full sun |
| Sunset climate zones: | 3 - 10, 14 - 24 |
| Water Needs: | Once established, needs only occasional watering. |
| Average landscape size: | To 40 to 50 ft. tall and 20 to 30 ft. wide. In their native range, to 150 ft. tall. |
| Growth rate: | Fast |
| Growth habit: | Pyramidal |
| Special features: | Easy Care, Improved Pest and Disease Resistance, North American Native, Waterwise, Year-round Interest |
| Landscape uses: | Privacy Screen, Seacoast Exposure, Specimen |
| Blooms: | Does not flower |
| Foliage color: | Gray-green |
| Item no.: | 2335 |
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Monrovia soil products
The best fertilizer to use with this plant is All-Purpose Plant Food.view soil products