Cupressus sempervirens
Italian cypress
A medium-sized, long-lived, evergreen tree, reaching to 45m in height, with a narrow, columnar habit. The dark green, scale-like leaves, 2-5mm long, are held in dense sprays on the rounded shoots of ascending branches. Cones are globose to oblong in shape, 2-3cm across, with scales having small bosses
Size
Ultimate height
Higher than 12 metresTime to ultimate height
20–50 yearsUltimate spread
2.5–4 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green | |||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter | Green |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
North–facing or East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Cupressaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Columnar upright
- Genus
Cupressus are vigorous, evergreen trees with flaking or scaly bark, often with columnar or narrowly ovoid crowns, small, often aromatic, scale-like leaves and small, spherical female cones
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- Mediterranean & W Asia
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in moist but well-drained soil in full sun. Protect from cool, drying winds. Tolerates dry conditions
Propagation
Propagate by seed or semi-hardwood cuttings
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Coastal
- Architectural
- Low Maintenance
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
May be susceptible to cypress aphid
Diseases
May be susceptible to coryneum canker and honey fungus
Get involved
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