Description

Of the two members of the three-member Sequoia family native to California, the one we call the Coast Redwood is the one that prefers the dense fog of the northern and central coasts. Its foliage is sheer, delicate, and moderately aromatic. It is best suited for indoor installations, protected from wind and direct sunlight.

The Sierra Redwood is the Sequoia variety that thrives on the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada, making it exceptionally hardy and well-suited for outdoor display. It tolerates wind and direct sunlight, and its somewhat sharp foliage discourages abuse from small children and pets.

The Incense cedar is an all-around good choice for either indoor or outdoor use because of its fragrant aroma and tough survivability. The foliage is sheer-looking but not as delicate as the Coast Redwood.

The Monterey Cypress is native to the California central coast, making it extremely hardy and able to handle the most severe of outdoor conditions, including high winds. Its pungent aroma reminds some of licorice.

The bluish foliage and droopy appearance of the Deodar Cedar give it an elegant look, unmatched by any other variety. It offers a minimal but pleasant forest aroma, making it a good candidate for indoor installations, but the foliage is very sharp to the touch.

The Leyland Cypress offers many of the best qualities of most of the other varieties. Its sheer-looking foliage is tough enough to handle the outdoors, and it tolerates wind better than most. It also offers a moderate forest aroma indoors.