Provence Cypress - Cupressus sempervirens Pyramidalis

Cupressus sempervirens 'Pyramidalis', commonly known as the Italian cypress or Florentine cypress, is a form of this large evergreen conifer with a columnar and narrow habit and dark green foliage. Emblematic of Tuscany, this tree grows rapidly during its early years and can live for 500 years, eventually forming the characteristic silhouette that leaves its mark on Mediterranean landscapes. This cypress is perfect for accentuating an entrance or bringing structure to a large space. It is a valuable tree for southern gardens as it tolerates rocky and poor soils, drought, and strong winds.

Cupressus sempervirens is a species of the cypress family, which is believed to be native to Asia but has been acclimatized to Mediterranean regions for a long time due to its excellent adaptation to drought, wind, and poor soils. In the wild, it is found in dry and open forests, often on chalky soils. Similar to Chamaecyparis, it differs in its rounded branchlets arranged in plume-like clusters around the main axis and its larger cones with woody scales. 'Pyramidalis' is a cultivar obtained from the 'Stricta' form, which can be found in the wild. In addition to its erect branches, it has a more distinctly fastigiate habit than its parent. This is the most commonly planted variety.

'Pyramidalis' is a tall and narrow variety, reaching heights of 10 to 14m (45.9ft) or more, with a spread of 1m (3.3ft) to 1.20m (3.9ft). At the age of 6, under good conditions, it will already have reached a height of 6m (19.7ft). This variety produces fruits, which can weigh down and widen the branches, resulting in a sometimes slightly untidy, yet still charming, silhouette. Growing rapidly while young, 'Pyramidalis' is adorned with aromatic, dark foliage consisting of small blunt leaves with resin glands, on short branchlets that are in turn arranged on erect branches. Like all common cypresses, its wood is very fragrant and produces resin under a relatively thin and fissured brown-grey bark. It is tap-rooted, allowing it to anchor deeply into the soil to draw water and nutrients and withstand even strong winds. It has good hardiness in well-drained soil, around -15°C (5°F). However, its tall silhouette does not tolerate the weight of snow, which can permanently deform it!

The Tuscan cypress 'Pyramidalis' is perfect for framing an entrance, planted in groups of three as was once customary in Provence, both as a sign of welcome to visitors and a landmark for lost travellers indicating a human and welcoming presence, fresh water,, a cozy fire in the hearth. A boon for gardens in rocky areas with stony soil, where few trees thrive, its majestic form structures a garden in a unique way, whether it is contemporary, Italian, or Mediterranean in style. It can also be used as a standalone specimen, surrounded by grey foliage plants (Artemisia, lavender, Melianthus major, Perovskia atriplicifolia 'Blue Spire') or in an evergreen hedge, with Arbutus unedo, Holm oak, common juniper and its varieties, Ceanothus arboreus Skylark, or Eleagnus ebbingei, for example.

The Provence cypress symbolizes immortality. Its fragrant wood, which was once present in all funeral rites, was also burned as incense.