Cupressus goveniana var. goveniana

RHS Plant Profile

Mendocino cypress

Synonyms

Cupressus goveniana var. pigmaea
Cupressus pigmaea

Conifers Trees

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A tall, columnar, evergreen conifer, fast-growing when young - potentially reaching up to 20m in height. The dark green, scaly foliage is aromatic when crushed. The cones look like miniature footballs, appearing in September, turning to brown in October and remaining on the tree throughout the year. This variety is used as an ornamental tree in gardens and parks

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

4-8 metres

Max Spread

2.5-4 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 10–20 years
Max Spread: 2.5-4 metres
Max Height: 4-8 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H4

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Foliage

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Cupressaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy, 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: USA (California)

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in any well-drained soil in full sun with shelter from cold, drying winds. Tolerates dry conditions when established. Can be used for hedging. Height and spread determined by soil, location and prevailing weather. It usually reaches a height of 3-5m in 10 years, to 10m in 20 years and ultimately larger. See conifer cultivation for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by semi-ripe or hardwood cuttings from young vigorous growth in late summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Coastal
Architectural
Low Maintenance
Hedging and screens

Pruning

No pruning required but can be pruned to control height and spread; prune hedges in late spring

Pests

May be susceptible to cypress aphid

Diseases

May be susceptible to various diseases including honey fungus, see Conifers: brown patches