Cupressus arizonica var. glabra 'Silver Smoke'

RHS Plant Profile

Arizona cypress 'Silver Smoke'

RHS

Conifers

A striking, fast-growing evergreen conifer producing clouds of fragrant, blue-green foliage giving a 'smokey' effect and reddish brown, peeling bark. Looks stunning when planted as a screen with other evergreens or can be used as a specimen tree.

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand, Chalk

Max Height

8-12 metres

Max Spread

2.5-4 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 10–20 years
Max Spread: 2.5-4 metres
Max Height: 8-12 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam Sand Chalk

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): H5
Drought Resistance: Yes

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: Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moist but well-drained soil in full sun. Protect from cool, drying winds. Tolerates dry conditions.

Propagation

Grow in moist but well-drained soil in full sun. Protect from cool, drying winds. Tolerates dry conditions.

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Architectural
Low Maintenance
Hedging and screens

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to cypress aphid

Diseases

Generally disease-free but may be susceptible to honey fungus