Sequoiadendron giganteum 'Glaucum' / blue giant sequoia
Sequoiadendron giganteum'Glaucum' is a narrowly pyramidal selection of Giant sequoia with more-or-less fastigiate branches and striking blue-green foliage, particularly with the first flush of new spring growth. It is purported to be cold hardier than many other giant sequoia cultivars. After 10 years, a specimen will measure 16 feet (5 m) tall and 4.5 feet (1.5 m) wide, an annual growth rate of 1.5 to 2 feet (45 - 60 cm).
The blue giant sequoia is a very old cultivar in the nursery trade, first described 1860 by Christoph Friedrich Otto (1783–1856), in Hamburger Garten- und Blumenzeitung. It is noteworthy that this edition was actually published 4 years after Otto's death. In his description, Otto listed it under the name, Sequoia gigantea var. glauca, which suggests that more than one clone may be implicated as this cultivar's genetic source. Further, it is highly unlikely that the tree described in 1860 is the tree that is common in cultivation today.
Sequoiadendron giganteum 'Glaucum' at a nursery display garden in Germany.
Photo by Bruns nursery, GmbH
Sequoiadendron giganteum 'Glaucum' — a closeup of foliage detail.
Photo by Bruns nursery, GmbH
Sequoiadendron giganteum 'Glaucum' — a 2002 accessioned at the New York Botanical Garden, The Bronx, New York (USDA Hardiness Zone 7a); photo from 2020.
Photo by Katherine Wagner-Reiss
Sequoiadendron giganteum 'Glaucum' — a closeup of foliage detail.
Photo by Katherine Wagner-Reiss
Comments
Bradley Robling
How tall can this tree grow over the years?
Maxwell Cohn
I have one in my collection in Washington. It's been in the ground for almost 20 years, and it's well over 50 feet tall with an 18-inch trunk (DBH). I've seen individual specimens well over 100 feet tall. Big tree!
Comments
How tall can this tree grow over the years?
I have one in my collection in Washington. It's been in the ground for almost 20 years, and it's well over 50 feet tall with an 18-inch trunk (DBH). I've seen individual specimens well over 100 feet tall. Big tree!