Leyland cypress - Cupressocyparis leylandii

The Cupressocyparis leylandii, better known as the Leyland Cypress or simply 'Leylandii', is a majestic, undemanding, and fast-growing conifer, often used as an evergreen hedge. This robust cypress adapts well to most climates, including those in coastal areas. However, rocky soils and very dry Mediterranean climates should be avoided. Depending on your budget, hedge length, patience, and gardening time, different types of products are available to you.

- For an economical Leyland cypress hedge, opt for 9 cm (3.5'')pots that can be planted all year round. The soil should be carefully prepared (thorough weeding, removal of all roots, planting trench), and it is advisable to place a sheet at the base of the shrubs to limit the germination of weed seeds and amount of weeding while they establish themselves. Once established, they grow rapidly and will quickly catch up with their container-grown counterparts. This is the most cost-effective solution for a hedge of at least 10 m (32.8 ft) in length.

- For a fast-growing Leyland cypress hedge or to fill in an existing hedge, choose bushes in 3, 4, or even 7.5 litre pots. Plants in pots can be planted all year round, except during frosty periods or heatwaves. They are planted in individual planting holes, like any other garden shrub. While they have an immediate impact, they take a little longer to 'get going' and will require more frequent and regular watering, especially during dry summers.

Respect the proper planting distance based on the size of your plant! Generally, it is recommended to leave a space of 60 cm (23.6'') between each plant for pot-grown shrubs, 70 to 80 cm (2.3 ft to 2.6 ft) for plants in 2 or 3-litre pots, 80 cm to 1 m (2.6 ft to 3.3 ft) for pots from 4 to 10 litres, and 1 m to 1.2 m (3.3 ft to 3.9 ft) for pots larger than 10 litres. For Leyland cypress, given its rapid growth and mature size, it is preferable to space each pot-grown plant 1 m (3.3 ft) apart, up to 2 m (6.6 ft) for shrubs grown in large pots.

The (x) Cupressocyparis leylandii is a hybrid between the Cupressus macrocarpa, the Lambert or Monterey cypress, native to the forests along 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 many soil conditions, prefer rather humid climates. Both belong to the Cupressaceae family. The 'Leylandii' can tolerate fairly poor, chalky, clayey soils, pollution, salt spray, and fog.

After becoming established growth is rapid. The Leyland cypress grows about 80 cm to 1 m (2.6 ft to 3.3 ft) per year, reaching an average height of 20 m (65.6 ft) with a width of 6 to 7 m (19.7 ft to 23 ft) if left unpruned. Regular pruning (twice a year) will be necessary if you want to maintain it at a height of 2 to 3 m (6.6 ft to 9.8 ft) in a conventional hedge. This conifer has a naturally regular, pyramidal, and dense habit. Its flexible and slightly upright branches are adorned with coarse foliage when observed up close, emitting an aromatic scent 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. Their colour is a deep green.

This conifer produces pollen that can cause allergies for some people in early spring. The female cones are rounded and green, turning brown when mature. The reddish-brown bark becomes greyish with age. The tree has a taproot system, allowing it to anchor deeply in the soil to retrieve water and nutrients, and resist even strong winds. It is very hardy, around -15/-20°C.

The Leyland Cypress is perfect for large hedges (preferably not between properties). Best left unpruned, they will  protect the garden, whether on the edge of the countryside or by the sea, among other places. In this context, there is no need for regular pruning in April and September. It is a great asset for urban or very windy coastal gardens and is widely planted in housing estates, providing a year-round permanent feature while functioning as a privacy screen. When planted as a specimen tree in a large garden, it is magnificent. Like many conifers, it blends well in gardens of all styles, whether contemporary, wild, romantic, or English. However, it is a bit of a shame to confine this magnificent tree to a purely utilitarian role: in a large garden, it makes for a beautiful free- standing specimen.