Potted dwarf blue Atlas cedar (Cedrus atlantica ‘Horstmann’) in the Mary Duke Biddle Rose Garden, by Keith Kennedy.
Botanical name: Cedrus spp.
Common name: True cedars
Family name: Pinaceae (Pine Family)
Native range: Mediterranean, western Asia
Location in Duke Gardens: Historic Gardens, Gateway Gardens
USDA Hardiness Zones: 7-9
Similar to “lily”, “cedar” is one of the most common names for species in multiple families of plants, many of which are only distantly related to each other. There’s the common eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana,) which is abundant throughout eastern North America; the Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica), the Port-Orford cedar (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana) and the incense cedars (Calocedrus spp.), of the American west, all of which belong to the Cupressaceae, or cypress family. Then there’s the salt cedars (Tamarix spp.), which are shrubby trees in the carnation family, and “running cedar” (Diphasiastrum spp.), which are low-growing clubmosses and not trees at all. What all of these “false cedars” have in common are evergreen leaves with a fan-like pattern reminiscent of the “true cedars”—that is, members of the genus Cedrus in the Pinaceae or pine family.
True cedars are native to various mountain ranges throughout the Mediterranean and western Asia, with non-overlapping ranges among the different species and subspecies. Because they hail from drier climates that can go for months without rainfall, they have thick, waxy needles to prevent water loss during periods of drought. All true cedars have distinctive, egg-shaped cones that sit upright on the branches, like fir cones. When mature, the cones shatter and release winged seeds on the wind. Both cones and bark are frequently covered with pale sticky resin, which deters insects. When grown to maturity, true cedars are valuable timber trees, and conservation efforts are necessary to ensure future generations can enjoy them in their native habitats.
Here at Duke Gardens, you’ll find multiple species of true cedars, many of which are grown as specimen trees, or are special ornamental cultivars bred by horticulturists:
- The deodar cedar (Cedrus deodara) is native to the western Himalayas, and is the species most commonly found in cultivation; wild types mature into elegant, stately trees with a distinctive conic canopy. Many deodar cedar cultivars have been selected for cold-tolerance, allowing horticulturists to extend its range into colder zones, as well as prostrate or weeping habits and unusually colored needles.
- As its name suggests, the Atlas cedar (Cedrus atlantica) is native to the Atlas mountains in northern Africa. Some of the most popular cultivars are the blue Atlas cedar (‘Glauca’), the weeping blue Atlas cedar (‘Glauca Pendula’), and a columnar form (‘Fastigiata’).
- The Lebanon cedar (Cedrus libani) is divided into three subspecies, which some botanists consider to be species in their own right:
- The main species (var. libani) is native to the mountains of Lebanon and Syria. These are the famous trees mentioned in the Epic of Gilgamesh and in the Bible, and they are also pictured on Lebanon’s national flag.
- The Cyprus cedar (var. brevifolia) is native to the island of Cyprus and is distinguished by its shorter needles.
- The Taurus cedar (var. stenocoma) is native to central Turkey and has a more spreading crown.
Look for the different kinds of true cedars—as well as many of their “false cedar” look-alikes—on your next visit to Duke Gardens—particularly in the Historic and Gateway Gardens, where they may be either large, established trees or smaller, dwarf forms in container plantings.