Coast Redwood ‘Aptos Blue’ 40/60cm (5L)

The Coast Redwood ‘Aptos Blue’ is a cultivar of Sequoia sempervirens that brings the majesty of California’s famous redwoods to British gardens, whilst remaining more manageable in size than its towering wild relatives. This exceptional selection is prized for its distinctive blue-green new growth that creates a beautiful contrast against the darker green mature needles, giving the tree a multi-tonal appearance that changes with the seasons.

What sets ‘Aptos Blue’ apart is its elegant architectural form. The tree develops a handsome conical shape with horizontal primary branches that create distinctive layers. The secondary branches also grow horizontally, whilst the third-order branchlets hang gracefully downward, creating a cascading effect that adds movement and texture to the canopy. The foliage itself is densely arranged, with leaves that are notably broad relative to their length, creating a full, lush appearance that provides excellent year-round interest.

As ‘Aptos Blue’ matures, it develops one of the most tactile features in the plant kingdom – a furrowed, red-brown bark with a wonderfully spongy texture that is absolutely delightful to touch. This characteristic bark becomes more pronounced with age, adding another dimension of interest to the tree’s ornamental qualities. The intensity of the signature blue colouration can vary between individual specimens and depends somewhat on growing conditions, but the distinctive hue remains a defining feature.

This fast-growing cultivar makes an excellent specimen tree for larger gardens where it can be appreciated from all angles. Its striking colour and graceful form make it particularly effective when planted where it can be viewed against a darker backdrop, which really makes the blue-green foliage stand out. It’s also magnificent when used to create a focal point in a woodland garden setting or as part of a mixed conifer collection.

Growing ‘Aptos Blue’ in the British Climate

Coast Redwoods thrive in the mild, moist conditions found throughout much of Britain. Plant your ‘Aptos Blue’ in a sheltered position with protection from cold, drying winds, which can damage the foliage. The tree performs best in full sun to partial shade – whilst it tolerates some shade, the blue colouration tends to be most intense when the tree receives good light.

Soil should be moist, well-drained, and ideally slightly acidic to neutral, though the tree shows good tolerance of various soil types provided they don’t become waterlogged. Redwoods appreciate consistent moisture, particularly during establishment and dry spells, so water regularly during the first few growing seasons. Once established, the tree becomes more drought-tolerant, though it will always appreciate moisture.

Apply a generous mulch of organic matter around the base each spring, keeping it clear of the trunk. Feed with a balanced slow-release fertiliser in early spring to support the vigorous growth rate. Little pruning is required – simply remove any dead, damaged, or crossing branches in late winter. The naturally elegant form develops best when left largely unpruned.

Ultimate height
Higher than 12 metres

Time to ultimate height
20–50 years

Ultimate spread
4–8 metres