ABSTRACT
Among the most impressive and stately conifers in size and appearance, Cedars have been cultivated for centuries in large gardens and arboreta in the UK and mainland Europe. Only four species and one subspecies have been identified, three of which are closely related and considered by some to be geographic variants of Cedrus atlantica. All species within the genus appear compatible. Opportunities for hardier alternatives to C. deodara, the rootstock species of choice, would be useful for cold areas. Most agree that C. deodara is best choice, some suggesting that C. atlantica cvs grafted onto C. atlantica rootstocks make weak unions. C. deodara is said to have a better root system than C. atlantica. Scions usually comprise wood for summer and winter grafts. Terminal growth should be chosen to provide material easily trained into an upright leading shoot; although, for spreading forms such as C. deodara ‘Feelin Blue’ this is less important.
