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

The Coast Redwood ‘Henderson Blue’ is a stunning cultivar of Sequoia sempervirens that brings an elegant blue-green hue to gardens throughout the year. This particular selection offers a softer, more subtle colouration than some of its intensely blue counterparts like ‘Fioli’, making it an excellent choice for gardeners seeking a refined, understated beauty that complements rather than dominates the garden palette. The blue-green foliage creates a sophisticated backdrop for other plantings whilst maintaining enough colour interest to stand proudly as a specimen tree.

This 40/60cm plant arrives in a generous 5-litre pot, giving you a well-established young tree with a robust root system ready to settle into its permanent home. Coast Redwoods are remarkably adaptable conifers that thrive in the mild, moist conditions found across much of Britain, particularly excelling in areas with higher rainfall and humidity. Despite their native Californian origins, these magnificent trees have proven themselves exceptionally well-suited to our climate, where they often grow more vigorously than in their drought-prone homeland.

The soft, feathery foliage of ‘Henderson Blue’ creates wonderful textural interest throughout the seasons, with the blue-green needles arranged in flat sprays that catch the light beautifully. As the tree matures, it develops the characteristic fibrous, reddish-brown bark that peels in long strips, adding year-round architectural interest. The evergreen nature of this cultivar ensures your garden maintains structure and colour even during the darkest winter months, whilst the distinctive colouration provides a cooling effect during summer.

Coast Redwoods are surprisingly fast-growing once established, making them an excellent investment for gardeners wanting to create height and presence within a reasonable timeframe. They’re particularly effective as specimen trees in larger gardens, where their elegant pyramidal form can be fully appreciated. The blue-green foliage also makes ‘Henderson Blue’ valuable for creating contrasts with golden or dark green conifers, or for softening the appearance of buildings and boundaries.

Care Guide for British Climate

Plant your Coast Redwood in a sheltered position with moist, well-drained soil that’s rich in organic matter. These trees prefer slightly acidic to neutral conditions and benefit enormously from protection against cold, drying winds, particularly when young. Choose a location in full sun to partial shade, though the blue-green colouration tends to be most pronounced in good light.

Water regularly during the first two growing seasons to establish a deep root system, and continue watering during prolonged dry spells even after establishment. Apply a generous mulch of organic matter around the base each spring, keeping it clear of the trunk itself. This helps retain moisture, suppress weeds, and gradually improves soil structure as it breaks down.

Feed annually in early spring with a balanced, slow-release fertiliser designed for trees and shrubs. Coast Redwoods rarely require pruning beyond the removal of any dead, damaged, or crossing branches in late winter. If you need to restrict size, prune lightly in late spring, though these trees naturally develop an attractive shape with minimal intervention. In exposed gardens, consider staking young trees for the first two years to prevent wind rock whilst the roots establish.

Ultimate height
Higher than 12 metres

Time to ultimate height
20–50 years

Ultimate spread
4–8 metres