Cupressocyparis Leylandii (Containerised)

Leyland cypress rapidly forms a tall and fairly slender, broadly columnar tree. Leaves are scale-like, borne in flat sprays, and give off a strong resinous smell when crushed. Clusters of small ball-like brown cones 2-3mm across are borne in summer and autumn. The species has soft, mid-green foliage, but the variety ‘Castlewellan’ has yellow-green leaves.

Plant a Leyland cypress hedge in a single row in any reasonable soil in sun or partial shade. Ideally plant in autumn or early spring and water regularly, particularly during dry spells during the first growing season. Trim two or three times a year to maintain a neat well-shaped hedge.

Leyland cypress grows extremely vigorously, easily reaching heights of 10m in as many years, and several metres wide. Older trees can attain heights of 20-40m, depending on growing conditions, and several metres wide. The rate of growth per year is around 75-90cm. However, regular trimming several times a year from an early age keeps Leyland cypress compact, restricting growth to as little as just 2m high.