Description
Cedrus deodara 'Feelin' Blue' | Deodar cedar
Feelin' Blue Deodar cedar is a distinctive form of Cedrus deodara 'Feelin' Blue', also known as a Deodar cedar or Himalayan cedar. Unlike a conventional upright cedar, it develops a naturally low, spreading and overhanging habit. Its branches create a flowing silhouette that brings movement and strong structure to the garden. The blue to blue-green cedar needles are the main ornamental feature. As an evergreen conifer, it keeps its foliage throughout the year and provides lasting colour and form in every season. At maturity, it reaches approximately 150 cm, or around 1.5 metres, in height. It also needs room to spread sideways, so allow sufficient lateral space for its unusual shape to develop. This makes it a useful choice where a plant with limited vertical growth but a broad visual presence is wanted. The plant is low maintenance once established and is well suited to a container, as well as to a rock garden, heath garden or specimen position. Flowering is not the reason to grow this plant, and no notable flowering display is specified. As part of the cedrus genus, this evergreen conifer offers a different and more relaxed garden shape than a standard upright Deodar cedar.
Key features of the Deodar cedar (Cedrus deodara 'Feelin' Blue')
- Evergreen blue-grey foliage: The cedar needles range from blue to blue-green and remain on the plant throughout the year. They give this low-growing conifer a cool, blue-grey appearance and provide reliable seasonal structure.
- Low, spreading form: The defining feature is its low, spreading and overhanging habit. The branches form a broad, flowing silhouette rather than a conventional upright tree shape, so the plant needs room to grow sideways.
- Aspect and soil: Choose a position in full sun or partial shade. It prefers free-draining, humus-rich and slightly moist soil. Reliable drainage is important, especially in the mild but often wet UK climate, and permanently waterlogged soil should be avoided.
- Shelter from cold winds: This Deodar cedar is sensitive to cold easterly winds. In exposed UK gardens, a sheltered position helps protect its unusual overhanging form from harsh conditions.
- Flowering and maintenance: Flowering is not a notable ornamental feature, and no flowering period is specified. It is a low-maintenance conifer once established and suits gardeners looking for an evergreen plant with a clear, distinctive form.
- Useful garden category: Its evergreen foliage, conifer character and adaptable garden use make it a natural choice among conifers, particularly for containers and carefully placed structural planting.
Uses of the Feelin' Blue Deodar cedar in the garden
- Specimen planting: Use this plant as a specimen where its horizontal, flowing silhouette can be seen clearly. The blue-grey needles and overhanging branches create a distinctive focal point without relying on an upright tree form.
- Containers and limited vertical space: It is well suited to a pot, provided there is enough room for the plant to spread laterally. Its height of around 1.5 metres makes it useful where a garden needs evergreen structure without a strongly vertical presence.
- Rock and heath gardens: The low spreading habit works well as a feature in a rock garden or heath garden. Its blue-grey colour can give contrast to low-growing planting and add year-round form among open, carefully arranged spaces.
- Aspect and hardiness: Grow it in full sun or partial shade, in well-drained, humus-rich soil that is slightly moist. The supplied hardiness range is approximately -17.8°C to -12.2°C, or USDA zone 7. A sheltered position remains important because of its sensitivity to cold easterly winds.
- Plant combinations: Pair its horizontal shape with low-growing or upright plants for contrast. Ornamental grasses, low-growing evergreens, alpine-style plants and heath-garden planting can complement the blue-grey needles without hiding the flowing outline.
The evergreen blue-grey foliage, unusual overhanging shape and low maintenance make this a distinctive feature for a sheltered pot, rock garden, heath garden or specimen position.
