Cedrus libani 'Beacon Hill' (Beacon Hill Cedar of Lebanon)


Botanical Information

FamilyPinance
GenusCedrus
Specieslibani
Cultivar'Beacon Hill'
CategoryWoody
TypeShrub (evergreen)
Ethnobotanical Uses
Disclaimer
The needles and bark are antiseptic and expectorant and can be used to clean the respiratory track. The resin is similar to turpentine.

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone5a - 9b
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness Zone5a - 8a
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness ZoneH3 - H7
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)-5 - (-20)
Temperature (°F)-4 - 30
Height3.5 m
Spread1 - 2 m
GrowthSlow
Flowering PeriodApril, May, June

Description and Growing Information

ShapeIrregular loose pyramidal shape in youth. The shape remains narrow, irregular and the top flops over as it matures.
LandscapeSpecimen plant.
PropagationGrafted.
CultivationFull sun to partial shade, well-drained rich soils with a pH of 5.0 - 8.0.
PestsSoil-borne, stem pathogens and botrytis cinereal fungal.
Notable SpecimensBeacon Hill Park, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
HabitatHorticultural origin.
Flower/Leaf Bud DescriptionSmall vegetative buds that are 1 to 2 cm in size.
Leaf DescriptionSimple needles are situated in spirals near long shoots in clusters of 15 - 35 on small shoots. There are 15 - 35 needles in a cluster and they are approximately 1 to 2.5 cm in length.
Flower DescriptionDoes not flower until 20 to 30 years old. The catkins are 5 cm. The male and female flowers are located on the same tree.
Fruit DescriptionMonoecious. Cones are erected upright, flat-topped, 7.6 - 12.7 cm and 5.8 cm wide, attached at the apex and can be resinous. Female cones are barrel-like in shape and take 2 years to mature.
Colour DescriptionThe bark is a greyish-brown colour when young and grey when mature. The buds are brown. Needles are green in colour. When mature the catkins are reddish-brown in colour. Young cones are chartreuse in colour
Texture DescriptionThe bark is smooth in texture when young and rough/scale-like when mature. The buds have a scale-like texture.

Photographs