Cupressus macrocarpa

RHS Plant Profile
Monterey cypress

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Monterey cypress RHS 1999

Other common names

macrocarpa

Synonyms

Cupressus lambertiana

Conifers Trees
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A large evergreen tree to 30m, columnar when young, becoming wide-spreading and irregular with age, the dark green foliage in erect sprays, with globose cones 2-3cm across

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

Higher than 12 metres

Max Spread

2.5-4 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
10–20 years
Max Spread
2.5-4 metres
Max Height
Higher than 12 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or North–facing or East–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

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Cupressaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
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
USA (California)

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moist but well-drained soil in full sun. Protect from cool, drying winds. Tolerates dry conditions. Can be used for hedging but will require regular pruning

Propagation

Propagate by seed or semi-hardwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Architectural
  • Coastal
  • Low Maintenance
  • Hedging and screens

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to cypress aphid

Diseases

May be susceptible to various diseases including honey fungus and coryneum canker see Conifers: brown patches