Cedrus libani ‘Glauca’

The Cedar of Lebanon is one of the grand trees of the plant world, and ‘Glauca’ is its silver-blue form. Needles come in whorled tufts on short spur shoots, held on wide horizontal branches that give older trees that unmistakable flat-topped, tiered silhouette.

It’s a large evergreen conifer and eventually reaches serious size, 20m or more over many decades, so it really needs space to show off. The colour is strongest on well-grown, sunny plants.

Plant in full sun in deep, well-drained soil. Cedars dislike waterlogged ground and root disturbance, so pick the final spot carefully. Upright ovoid cones sit upright on the branches.

One for a parkland-style lawn, a big country garden, or anywhere you’d like a legacy tree with real presence.