Name: The Plant Company
Address: 284 Meeanee Road, Meeanee, Napier, 4112, New Zealand
Telephone: 0800 843 752
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blue cypress tree

If you're searching for depth, colour, and elegance in your garden, the blue cypress tree makes a striking addition to New Zealand landscapes. Valued for its bluish foliage and slender, upright form, this conifer stands out as both a statement specimen and a versatile hedge. Its ability to thrive in a range of climates, combined with its easy-care nature, makes the blue cypress tree a favourite for urban gardens, lifestyle blocks, and shelter plantings. If you're after non-fussy beauty and visual interest year-round, this conifer will not disappoint.

Cupressus Blue Ice (Blue Arizona Cypress)

Cupressus Blue Ice is a popular and versatile plant suitable for New Zealand gardens, offering year-round interest and unique appeal.

Buy Cupressus Blue Ice (Blue Arizona Cypress)

From $176.17

Suited to regions: All regions

Plant type: Conifers

Height: 20.00 m

Spread: 3.00 m

Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy, Wind

Garden uses: Hedging, Parks, Screening, Specimen

Garden styles: Coastal, Formal, Japanese

Taxodium distichum (Bald Cypress)

Taxodium distichum, commonly known as the Bald Cypress or Swamp Cypress, is a conifer that grows as an upright tree to about 30 m tall and 8 m wide. It is somewhat unusual in that it is deciduous whereas most conifers tend to be evergreen. Feathery leaves emerge light green in spring, age to become bronze-yellow in summer, then develop bronze tones in autumn before falling. Taxodium distichum is a great tree for planting in wetter areas of a large garden and for planting around water features.

Buy Taxodium distichum (Bald Cypress)

From $343.89

Suited to regions: All regions

Plant type: Conifers

Height: 30.00 m

Spread: 8.00 m

Tolerances: Hardy, Wet, Wind

Garden uses: Ponds

Garden styles: Riparian

Stunning Blue Foliage for All Seasons

The blue cypress tree is renowned for its unique silver-blue needles that attract attention through all seasons. Unlike many conifers with standard green hues, the blue cypress displays a cool-toned palette that adds contrast and texture to mixed borders and contemporary gardens. Its vibrant foliage maintains colour even in coastal wind or frost, making it ideal for harsh sites throughout New Zealand.

Ideal Uses for Blue Cypress Trees

From formal avenues to coastal windbreaks, the blue cypress tree is exceptionally versatile. Space them as a grand avenue for formal landscapes, or use as a living screen for year-round privacy. Their moderate growth rate ensures manageable maintenance, and they shape beautifully with occasional trims. With drought-tolerance and resilience to pests, these trees can thrive with minimal input once established.

If you admire the blue-grey tones of the blue cypress, you might also love Cupressus Blue Ice (Blue Arizona Cypress), known for its icy silver foliage and pyramidal form. It's another brilliant conifer with a similar striking effect.

Pairing with Other Blue-Toned Plants

Bring out the best in your blue cypress tree by pairing it with complementary plants. Their cool colouring works wonderfully with silver, purple, and white tones. Consider the dramatic Podocarpus Matapouri Blue (Blue Tōtara), whose blue-green needles echo the cypress's tones in native gardens. For a textural contrast at ground level, pair with the gently arching leaves of Dianella Blue Twist.

Looking to create a layered landscape with year-round interest? Blend in flowering options like Prostanthera Eddington Blue (Mint Bush Plant)—a shrub with aromatic foliage and lavender-blue blooms.

Related Conifers for Kiwi Gardens

If wet feet are a concern in your landscape, or you want a truly unique tree, the Taxodium distichum (Bald Cypress) is outstanding for boggy sites and seasonal colour change. With a mix of conifers, you can develop a diverse, resilient, and eye-catching landscape.

Planting and Care

Plant blue cypress trees in full sun to light shade, spacing them to allow for mature width. Provide well-drained soil and water regularly while establishing. Occasional feeding with a general-purpose fertiliser will keep your tree in peak condition.

Adding a blue cypress tree brings long-lasting structure, colour, and style to your garden—making it a prized feature for New Zealand plant lovers.

Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.