Northwest Blooms · Shrubs
Cedrus libani 'Hedgehog'
Hedgehog Dwarf Lebanon Cedar
- Family
- Pinaceae
- Height
- 2 ft to 3 ft
- Width
- 3 ft to 5 ft
- Flower color
- Yellow pollen cones with upright tan brown seed cones
- Foliage color
- Blue green needles borne in dense tufts on compact irregular branches
- Bloom time
- Fall
- Light
- Full sun
- Water
- Moderate
- Maintenance
- Low; prune selectively only as needed to maintain shape and remove damaged branches
- Growing zone
- USDA zones 6 to 9
- Wildlife
- Songbirds and small mammals feed on seeds
About this plant
Cedrus libani 'Hedgehog' features dense clusters of short, blue-green needles arranged along compact branches, creating a richly textured evergreen canopy that provides year-round interest. The stiff needles radiate outward in tufted rosettes, giving the plant a distinctive, layered appearance. Small upright female cones and inconspicuous yellow pollen cones develop in autumn. The persistent needles maintain their color through winter, providing texture and structure during the quiet months of the year.
Derived from the cedar forests of the eastern Mediterranean, this cultivar was selected for its unusual form and ornamental character. Its dense branching and evergreen presence lend themselves to conifer collections, rock gardens, and foundation plantings, where the intricate texture provides a sense of permanence and year-round appeal.
Works well in
Sun Gardens · Foundation Plantings · Rock Gardens · Winter Interest
Companion plants
Catmint · Feather reed grass · Salvias · Coneflowers · Lavenders · Sedums
Design tip
Its low, spreading form can bring structure to places where taller evergreens would feel too heavy. Position it beside stonework or at the edge of a planting, where the blue-green needles can provide a strong textural contrast and keep the composition grounded year-round.
Where to see it
This plant can be seen at The Oregon Garden.
