Cupressus sempervirens var. stricta

Cupressus sempervirens 'Stricta', commonly known as the Italian Cypress, is a spontaneous form of common Cypress, selected and propagated for its narrow and tall, remarkably architectural habit. This large evergreen conifer with dark green foliage grows quickly in its youth and can live for 500 years, eventually developing its characteristic silhouette. Like an ancient column, this Cypress is perfect for framing an entrance, bordering a long avenue, or structuring a large space. It tolerates rocky and poor soils, drought, and strong winds.

Cupressus sempervirens is a species in the Cupressaceae family, which is believed to be native to Asia. In nature, it is found in dry and open forests, often on limestone soil. Similar to Chamaecyparis, it differs in its rounded branchlets, arranged in fascicles around the main axis, and its larger cones with woody scales.

The 'Stricta' form, which can be found in the wild among populations of cypresses with a wider habit, is a natural mutation that has upright branches and produces fruits. Curiously, some of its offspring have a horizontal habit, which is why they are called Cupressus sempervirens var. horizontalis.

'Stricta' is a tall and narrow form, reaching a height of 10 to 14m (33 to 46ft) or even more, with a spread of 2m (7ft). By the age of 6, under good conditions, it will already have reached a height of 6m (20ft). This variety produces fruits, which can weigh down and widen the branches, resulting in a sometimes slightly dishevelled silhouette. Growing rapidly in its youth, it is adorned with aromatic, dark foliage made up of small, blunt-tipped leaves with resinous glands, arranged in imbricate clusters on short branchlets that themselves grow on upright branches. Like all common cypresses, its wood is highly fragrant and exudes resin under a relatively thin, grey-brown bark with fissures. Its root system is taprooted, allowing it to anchor deeply in the soil to draw water and nutrients and withstand even strong winds. It is hardy in well-drained soil, down to approximately -15°C (5°F). However, its tall habit does not appreciate the weight of snow, which can permanently deform it!

'Stricta' is perfect for framing an entrance, planted in groups of three, as was the custom in Provence, both as a signal to welcome visitors and as a beacon for lost travellers, indicating a welcoming human presence, fresh water, or a warm fire in the hearth. A boon for gardens in rocky areas with poor soil, where few trees thrive, its majestic habit uniquely structures a garden, whether it be contemporary, Italian, or Mediterranean in style. It can also be used as a standalone specimen, surrounded by grey-foliaged plants (such as Artemisia, lavender, Melianthus major, Perovskia atriplicifolia 'Blue Spire') or in an evergreen hedge, alongside Arbutus unedo, Holm oak, common juniper and its varieties, Ceanothus arboreus 'Skylark', or Eleagnus ebbingei, for example.

The Italian cypress symbolises immortality. Its fragrant wood, which was once used in all funeral rites, was also burned as incense.