Red Star Cedar
Chamaecyparis obtusa ‘Red Star’ syn. ‘Rubicon’
Other Names: Red Star Atlantic White Cedar, Red Star White Cypress, Rubicon White Cedar, Rubicon White Cypress
Plant Details
USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 3a-8a Find Your Zone
Plant Type: Evergreen Conifer
Height at Maturity: 4-5′ in 10 years
Width at Maturity: 1.5-2′ in 10 years
Spacing: We suggest using as a specimen or in small, spaced groupings
Spacing: We suggest using as a specimen or in small, spaced groupings
Growth Habit / Form: Upright Column
Growth Rate: Slow, 4″ per year
Foliage Color: Blue Green in spring and summer changing to Warm Plum Purple-Red in winter
Fragrant Foliage: na
Sun Needs: Full Sun to Part Shade; we suggest at least 5 hours of direct sun per day for best foliage color
Water Needs: Average
Soil Type: Clay (Amend heavy clay to ensure good drainage), Loam, Sand (Amend quick draining soil for moisture retention, Silt
Soil Drainage: Moist But Well Drained
Soil pH: 6.0 – 7.5
Maintenance / Care: Very Low
Attracts: Visual Attention
Resistances: Cold (-40F), Deer, Disease, Insect, Shade
Description
A slow growing conifer with a fluffy appearance and narrow columnar form, the Red Star Cedar displays soft, blue green foliage with star-shaped leaves that turn to a very attractive shade of plum purple with dusty pinkish to red cast during the cool season. Adding maybe 4 inches in height per year, all grown up you can expect it to reach maybe 5 feet tall and 1.5 feet wide in 10 years and 15 feet in 25 years. Its narrow form lends well to use as an evergreen accent tree in small garden spaces or centerpiece in containers. Red Star provides eye-catching color, texture and form to the landscape composition.
Landscape & Garden Uses
Growing slowly to 5 feet tall and 1.5 feet wide in 10 years and maybe 15 feet by 3-4 feet in 25 years, the Red Star Cedar is ideal for use as an eye-catching accent in small garden spaces, containers and home foundation plantings. Also very nice in small groupings, to frame an entryway, and near sitting areas and other areas where its unique and colorful foliage can be observed from up close. A fine addition to conifer gardens and Asian themed gardens.
Growing Preferences
The Red Star Cedar is very easy to grow in a well-drained soil of average fertility and full sun to part shade. We suggest at least 5 hours of direct sunlight per day for best color. It is moderately drought tolerant but will appreciate an occasional watering during prolonged periods of dry weather. Otherwise, maintenance is minimal. No pruning is required. Provide a light application of slow release shrub & tree fertilizer in spring.
Helpful Articles
Click on a link below to find helpful advice from our experts on how to plant and care for Cypress.
How To Plant & Care For Cypress Shrubs & Trees
Privacy Screen Planting Design Tips
Plant Long & Prosper!
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