Icy Blue Conifers for the Southeast

These focal-point trees provide height, texture, and stunning color contrast

Interest in turn conifer in the Southeast continues to be on the rise . Every year we larn more about which specie and cultivar grow best in our region . One of the dynamics certain conifer can impart to your garden is the addition of cool blue hues . However , our region ’s unique combining of blotto winters , summer humidity , and various land densities translates to a need for deliberate selection when add together conifers . to boot , gardener ask to seek out regional selective information for what fledged size of it they can expect for each plant . Here are four diverse coniferous tree that are gross for our region and provide stunning blue foliage .

‘Blue Ice’ Arizona cypress

Cupressus arizonicavar.glabra‘Blue Ice ’ , Zones 6b–9

‘ Blue Ice ’ Arizona cypress is a midsize conifer that is perfect for usance as a projection screen or backcloth . It has fine - textured and steely blue leafage . pass out at around 40 pes high and 20 feet wide , it retains a pyramidical material body even in old eld . This native conifer to the southwest United States and Mexico loves full Sunday but does n’t seem to mind our humidness . ‘ Blue Ice ’ is not the only cultivar of Arizona cypress tree that exists , but it is surely one of the most commercially available . Readers may also be intimate with the cultivar ‘ Carolina Sapphire ’ , which is somewhat with child at maturity and more of a true blue . As the cultivar name hint , ‘ Blue Ice ’ has a more glaucous , argent blue color . As a bonus , Arizona cypress is very aromatic when the needles are crushed or brushed up against .

‘Prostrate Beauty’ blue deodar cedar

Cedrus deodara‘Prostrate Beauty ’ , Zones 6b–9

There are plenty of deodar true cedar cultivar with blue leafage . However , when study the size of it of most residential landscapes , few people have the room for the common cultivars with gigantic proportion . Luckily , there are several smaller , blue - foliaged cultivars . Two of my favorite deodar true cedar are ‘ Glacier Blue ’ and ‘ Feelin ’ Blue ’ . compare to the specie , these are very small plant indeed . However , one of the lowest - spring up cultivars available is ‘ Prostrate Beauty ’ deodar cedar . It grows 5 feet high and 10 feet extensive over many age . When young , this industrial plant stays nigh flat . Over time , a leader may germinate . If you do n’t need a loss leader to spring up , only light pruning will be required to remove it . This plant life will thrive in full Lord’s Day or partial shade and is much more active than your typical foundation bush .

Compact blue Eastern red cedar

Juniperus virginiana‘Glauca Compacta ’ , zone 4–9

Truly one of our toughest aboriginal plants in the Southeast , Eastern crimson cedar thrives in a multifariousness of soil conditions . Several cultivars available have gloomy tone . However , ‘ Glauca Compacta ’ sticks out for its overall appearance . It will get around 10 infantry mellow and 5 feet wide . Its color is strikingly blue and control up very well when cut back for wreath . Plant it in full sunshine next to conifer with atomic number 79 foliation . In fact , the line between any golden plant and this conifer ’s particular blue foliage is striking .

Columnar blue Atlas cedar

genus Cedrus atlantica‘Glauca Fastigiata ’ , zone 6–9

The Southeast seems worlds out from the aboriginal range of a function of the Atlas cedar in the mountains of Morocco . However , as one of the hardy of the true cedars , it find itself right at household in our region . The glauca grouping of this species ’ cultivars have blue - green to blue - gray needles and are referred to as dreary Atlas cedar . You may also see them sold asC. atlantica‘Glauca ’ andC. atlanticavar.glauca . ‘ Glauca Fastigiata ’ has a minute riding habit , which is often good for the home landscape . Columnar dispirited Atlas cedar is typically 40 feet tall and 25 feet wide at due date and makes a marvelous , tall accent plant . to boot , it is always a show - stopper as part of a mixed screen in the background of a garden .

conifer that bring the Amytal go along to be some of the most popular , particularly large , blue , evergreen plant conifers that can branch out screening option for the backdrop of garden . Yet there are several little selections suitable for more - summary place . One of the great things about conifers is the variety of human body , size , and color they can supply to the landscape . For more great conifer passport for the Southeast , check outDwarf coniferous tree That Can Take the Heat .

— Andy Pulte is a faculty member in the plant sciences department at the University of Tennessee .

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