Cupressus x leylandii
“Leyland cypress”
CUPRESSACEAE
Evergreen Conifer Tree
Zone: 6 – 9
Native habitat : West Coast USA hyrbid
Conditions
Soil: rich, deep
Moisture: well drained, average to moist (best); can handle drier sites or wet feet
Light: full sun to part shade
Exposure: general
Plant size (h x w): to 130′ x 40’+ (age 10: 13′)
Other:
Aesthetic
Shape/stem: upright/columnar, flings its branches about, bark rough with lips
Leaf: small dark green scale leaves in flat sprays (can slightly circle branch)
Flower: cones of male ovoid, female cones round
Bloom: insignificant
Other: fast growing, vigorous; shallow rooted
Treatment (how to…)
Plant: stake for the first year; for hedge plant 3′ apart
Maintain: tolerates hard pruning/sheering, trim hedge 2-3 times a year with the last cut being in September, don’t prune top till desired height; otherwise prune out dead; rake out needles
Propagate: cutting, grafting
Uses
Landscape: specimen, winter interest, evergreen tree, hedge, screen, windbreak, too big for many residential settings
Companion planting: look to colors of variegation, dark green, silver or gold
Medicinal: unknown
Vulnerabilities
Pests and disease: cypress tip moth
Deer resistant: yes; deer proof hedge too
Other animals:
Interest
Local info,: not native, but used to West Coast conditions (from south west coast US)
Pot size (to purchase): 2 g or bigger
Nature: aggressive tree or hedge conifer
Identification (key features): (different colored forms); dense, oval or pyramidal outline; fine, feathery foliage soft, pointed leaves on flattened branchlets and are dark green when mature, soft green when young
Interesting facts: cross between Monterrey Cypress (California) (Cupressus macrocarpa) and nootka false cypress (Oregon) (Chamaecyparis nootkatensis); From its nootka false cypress parent inherit habit, foliage and winter hardiness; from its Monterey cypress parent inherit branching pattern and rapid growth
Cultivars:
Comments: name has changed often, and may very well change again
. west coast island blooms . 