Leyland Cypress x Hesperotropsis leylandii

Previously known as:

x Cupressocyparis leylandii
x Cuprocyparis leylandii

Description

This plant is problematic and alternatives should be considered. Please see the suggestions in the left-hand column or this video created by Charlotte Glen as part of the Plants, Pests, and Pathogens series.

The Leyland Cypress is a hybrid fast-growing, upright, needled evergreen tree. In the early years, it can grow up to 3' per year and it grows well in a variety of soil types. The scaly reddish-brown bark displays attractive splays of gray-green needles. Typically they live 20 - 50 years depending on the environment.

It can be used as a screening, hedge plant, or windbreak, but is severely pest and disease prone and must be pruned regularly to maintain a tidy appearance. With a symmetrical canopy and smooth outline, they will have identical crown forms. The branches grow upright and do not droop. This strong structure is resistant to breakage. It also takes well to severe pruning, recovering nicely from severe topping.

In the Piedmont and Coastal Plain of NC, it is sometimes grown to be sold as Christmas trees.

Propagation can be accomplished from stem cuttings. Its viable seed may not be true to the mother plant.

Quick ID

Elongated spray
Concolorous spray
Branches and primary brackets have spiral twist
Leaves intermediate to scale-like

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Leyland Cypress is prone to many treatable and untreatable problems. Bagworm is a serious issue, the bagworms can defoliate an entire tree in a matter of a few weeks. It is also susceptible to canker and root rot, specifically Armillaria and Phytophthora root rots and Seiridium and Botryoshpaeria canker. Canker typically affects a tree following a period of drought. Both the root rots and cankers are incurable. Foliage can cause skin irritation. Wear gloves when handling. More information on insect and disease problems.

VIDEO Created by Homegrown featuring Jeff Owen, Area Extension Forestry Specialist for NC State Extension

Profile Video:

See this plant in the following landscape:

Cultivars / Varieties:

'Blue Eyes'
'Castlewellan'
More compact form with gold-tipped leaves.
'Emerald Isle'
Bright green foliage.
'Golconda'
Year round yellow-gold foliage.
'Gold Nugget'
Bright golden yellow foliage, compact form.
'Gold Rider'
Branchlets are yellow with green tips in winter, deeper yellow with dark yellow margins n summer.
'Green Spire'
Densely narrow columnar with rich green needles.
'Haggerston Grey'
More open habit with blue-green to grey-green foliage.
'Irish Mint'
Lighter green foliage, slower growing, superior root system.
'Jubilee'
Yellow sprays.
'Leighton Green'
Tall, columnar with a central leader and rich green foliage.
'Naylor's Blue'
Most open variety, loosely branched. Blue-reen foliage.

'Rico'

Short form

'Robinson's Gold'
Bright gold-yellow to lemon-green foliage.
'Silver Dust'
Wide-spreading with blue-green foliage with white variegations.
'Star Wars'
Creamy-yellow sprays.

'Blue Eyes', 'Castlewellan', 'Emerald Isle', 'Golconda', 'Gold Nugget', 'Gold Rider', 'Green Spire', 'Haggerston Grey', 'Irish Mint', 'Jubilee', 'Leighton Green', 'Naylor's Blue', 'Rico', 'Robinson's Gold', 'Silver Dust', 'Star Wars'

Tags:

#evergreen #full sun tolerant #drought tolerant #needles #conifer #fragrant leaves #salt tolerant #showy leaves #winter interest #windbreak #upright form #hedges #salt spray tolerant #cpp #buffer #needled evergreen #children's garden #playground plant #needled #showy cones #acidic soils tolerant #screening #fantz #gray-green leaves #sandy soils tolerant #winter garden #Christmas trees #Christmas decorations #winter fruits #pruning tolerant #insect problems

× Cupressocyparis leylandii — Maggie CC BY-NC 2.0

X Cupressocyparis leylandii — Full Form (Screen) Jim Robbins CC BY-NC-ND 4.0