How to Plant Horstmann Blue Atlas Cedar
The Blue Atlas Cedar (Cedar atlantica) is an evergreen tree, and one of the true cedars. Gunter Horstmann is credited with having introduced this variety of the Blue Atlas Cedar. The "Horstmann" Blue Atlas Cedar is admired for its ice-blue colored foliage, and compact growth habit. As a dwarf tree, the Horstmann Blue Atlas Cedar is considered slow-growing, at a rate of about 4 to 6 inches per year. It can grow to about 8 to 10 feet tall and about 5 to 6 feet wide. The Horstmann Blue Atlas Cedar is hardy in the U.S. Department of Agriculture planting zones 6 to 9. Plant a Horstmann Blue Atlas Cedar in full sun, and provide it with regular watering during its first year of growth. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Choose a location in full sun for planting your Horstmann Blue Atlas Cedar. Remember, this variety of cedar, although slow growing, can reach heights of 10 feet and more with age. So you don't want to plant it near anything that may interfere with its growth.
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Set the pot containing the Horstmann Blue Atlas Cedar on its side, on the ground. Hold the tree at the very base of its trunk. Use your trowel, a hammer, or a block of wood and strike downwards along the rim of the pot. Remove the container from the root system.
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Set the Horstmann Blue Atlas Cedar into a bucket of water until you are ready to plant.
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Dig a hole for your Horstmann Blue Atlas Cedar that is three times the width, but approximately the same depth of the root system. If planting more than one Horstmann cedar trees, for instance in a row, space each of the holes about 10 to 15 feet apart.
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Set the Horstmann Blue Atlas Cedar into the previously dug hole. Make sure the tree is sitting straight in the hole. Step back a few paces to check the level of the tree, and adjust the tree if necessary.
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Scoop in a few shovelfuls of soil around the entire root system of the Horstmann Blue Atlas Cedar tree. Pack it down carefully, then pour water into the hole until it's about 1/2 full. Once the water has fully drained away, fill the hole with soil.
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Spread a 2- to 4-inch layer of mulch around the trunk of the Horstmann Blue Atlas Cedar tree. Use shredded pine or cedar mulch and spread it out in about a 3- to 4-foot circle. Water the Horstmann Blue Atlas Cedar tree slowly and thoroughly.
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Tips & Warnings
Use care where you plant your Horstmann Blue Atlas Cedar tree. Don't plant it over any drain fields, buried cables or pipes.
According to Sunset Plant Finder, cedars are one of the most planted trees in western gardens.
Each spring, before new growth forms, fertilize your Horstmann Blue Atlas Cedar. Use a balanced, all purpose fertilizer, such as 12-12-12. Make sure you read the directions carefully as to the spread rate per square yard, or foot.
