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
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.