Sequoiadendron giganteum 'Blauer Eichzwerg' is an dwarf, upright, pyramidal, selection of giant sequoia with short, stout, symmetrical branching and prickly blue-gray foliage that fades to more of a gray-blue color in winter. After 10 years of growth, a mature specimen will measure 2 to 3 feet (60 - 90 cm) tall and 2-thirds as wide, an annual growth rate of 2 to 3 inches (5 - 7.5 cm). This conifer is an excellent choice for those who want to represent this classic species, but lack the garden space for a 300-foot (80 m) tall tree.
This cultivar originated as a seedling selected in the late 1980s by Herbert Rihacek of Eichgraben, Austria. In the German language, "Blauer Eichzwerg" literally translates into "Blue Oak-dwarf" which is nonsensical. Quite likely, the originator borrowed the first half of his home town to construct the cultivar name. Equally nonsensical is the trade name Blue Iceberg„¢ as it is occasionally seen listed.
