Cupressocyparis Leylandii 2001 - Leyland Cypress

The Cupressocyparis leylandii '2001' is a very straight-growing variant of this large hedge conifer that is better known as the Leyland Cypress. This variety has the advantage of not requiring staking at planting, while having a thick and very dense foliage, providing good screening. Left unpruned it will grow rapidly, forming a majestic slender column of beautiful dark green in a matter of years. Its development can be controlled by pruning, which facilitates its use in an evergreen hedge. While it forms superb evergreen screens, this Leyland Cypress can also be placed as a specimen or mixed with other large shrubs in a hedge that will promote biodiversity in the garden. Undemanding and hardy, it tolerates fairly poor, chalky and clay soils, pollution, sea spray, and salt-laden mists. However, rocky soils and the very dry climate of the Mediterranean should be avoided.

The (x) Cupressocyparis leylandii is a spontaneous hybrid between the Cupressus macrocarpa, the Lambert or Monterey Cypress, native to the forests bordering the central California coast, and the Chamaecyparis nootkatensis, the Nootka False Cypress, native to the northern part of the western coast of North America. These two hardy, large-growing conifers, tolerant of various soil conditions, prefer rather humid climates. Both belong to the Cupressaceae family.

The '2001' cultivar differs from the classic Leyland Cypress mainly by the straightness of its leader, which is very vertical from a young age without the need for staking, as well as its denser foliage and less pronounced growth.

Its growth is very rapid once established. The '2001' Cypress grows about 60 cm (2 ft) per year, reaching an average height of 10 m (32.8 ft) and a width of 5 m (16.4 ft) if left unpruned. Regular prunings (1 to 2 times per year) will be necessary if you want to maintain it at a height of 2 or 3 m (9.8 ft) in a conventional hedge. This conifer has a naturally columnar habit, very elegant, resembling that of a Thuja. Its flexible and upright branches are adorned with fairly coarse foliage when observed up close, aromatic when crushed. Its smell is slightly acidic. Its small, blunt overlapping triangular leaves are carried on short cylindrical branchlets, which in turn are borne on branches. This conifer produces pollen that can cause allergies for some people in early spring. The female cones, rounded and green, turn brown when ripe. The reddish-brown bark becomes greyish with age. This tree has a taproot system, allowing it to anchor itself very deeply in the soil to draw water and nutrients, and to withstand even the strongest of winds. It is very hardy, around -15/-20°C. However, the weight of snow can permanently deform its shape!

The Leyland Cypress 2001 is perfect in a large hedges (preferably not between properties). Best left unpruned, they will protect the garden, on the edge of the countryside among other places. In this context, it saves the gardener from repeated pruning. It is a great asset for urban or very windy coastal gardens, widely planted in housing estates, this cypress provides a year-round permanent feature whilst also functioning as a privacy screen. Placed as a specimen or in groups of 3 plants, it is very elegant and can replace the Provence Cypress. Like many conifers, it blends well into gardens of all styles, contemporary, wild, romantic, or English. Also, try to create a diverse and evergreen hedge possibly planting it with Elaeagnus ebbingei, Photinia 'Red Robin', Hicksii Hybrid Yew, hollies, Japanese Spindle, or Griselinia littoralis, Olearia traversii, strawberry trees, and holm oaks in slightly milder climates.