Cedrus Deodara Pendula (Himalayan Cedar)

Where the wild things are…this is a weeping form of the Himalayan Cedar that over 100 years could reach 40m in height.

It will form a broad pendulous head and will need initial staking to give height and to create the trunk. Greyish juvenile needles will mature a dark blue-green, and these are tightly bundled and densely arranged along its long limbs to form a rangy, shaggy beast of a tree.

The cultivar ‘pendula’ is aptly named. There’s such drama in this sweeping shroud of a silhouette that we’d recommend it as a specimen tree to admire in all its solitary grandeur.  You can go one of two ways with this shapely soul: for a tall specimen as described, this tree will need some initial encouragement upwards to establish the height from which the drooping limbs can drape. Alternatively, it can be left to become a broad and spreading creature with a theatrically swagged cape of angular peaks and long fronds that sweep the ground. Architecturally, either way, it has an unmissable impact in a big garden.

Grow this one in sun to partial shade in neutral to acid soil. Does not thrive well in soils tending toward a high pH but is happy wherever the ground is moist but well drained. Do give young specimens some protection from sharp frosts and strong winds.

N.B. When clipping several plants with the same tool, have a bucket containing a 5% bleach solution and swish your blades around for 30 seconds between plants to sterilise them. This will help avoid the chance of cross contamination of disease.

As with all woody plants, plant high, exposing as much of the taper at the base of the trunk as possible. Allowing soil to accumulate round the base of a tree can be fatal. Keep very well-watered when first planted.