Call us: 0800 843 752Free shipping for orders $150 or over
Gift Vouchers

cupressus sempervirens totem pole

Elevate your garden’s structure and sophistication with Cupressus sempervirens totem pole, a striking variety known for its tall, slender form and formal elegance. Also called Cupressus ‘Totem’ or Totem Cypress, this architectural conifer creates dramatic vertical accents, making it a favourite for landscape designers and home gardeners seeking lasting impact. Its densely-packed, deep green foliage and fast, upright growth offer an ideal solution for narrow spaces, pathway borders, and privacy screening. Totem Cypress holds its shape beautifully, requiring minimal maintenance, and thrives in New Zealand’s temperate climate.

Cupressus Totem

5 from 2 customers

Cupressus 'Totem', otherwise known as the Totem Cypress, is a conifer valued for its slender, upright habit that brings an architectural effect. It carries delicate, fresh-green foliage which is held tightly on upright branches as it grows to 4 m tall and 1 m wide. Cupressus 'Totem' is an excellent plant for bringing height and depth to plantings, and it is often planted in a series or as pillars at an entranceway.

Cupressus 'Totem' (Totem Cypress) trees in a garden.
  • Suited to regions:
    All regions
  • Plant type:
    Conifers
  • Height:
    4.00 m
  • Spread:
    1.00 m
  • Tolerances:
    Extended dry periods, Hardy
  • Garden uses:
    Hedging, Parks, Screening, Specimen
  • Garden styles:
    Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Formal, Frontyard, Mediterranean, Modern
cupressus-gracilis-1
Most Popular

Cupressus Gracilis (Italian Spruce)

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

From$358.98
cupressus-sempervirens-stricta-2
Most Popular

Cupressus sempervirens Stricta (Pencil Cypress)

Cupressus sempervirens Stricta, commonly known as the Italian Pencil Cypress Tree, is a conifer that features dense, dark green foliage, and grows...

From$272.12
cupressus-green-spire-2
Most Popular

Cupressus Green Spire

Cupressus Green Spire is a conifer valued for its slender, upright habit that brings an architectural effect. It carries fine, dark -green foliage...

From$28.28
cupressus-blue-ice-4
Most Popular

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.

From$176.17
cupressus-ovensii-3
Most Popular

Cupressus Ovensii

Cupressus Ovensii, commonly known as Ovens Cypress, is a hardy, fast-growing conifer native to Australia. It’s ideal for creating privacy screens...

From$28.28
Araucaria heterophylla tree growing with elegant form.
Most Popular

Araucaria heterophylla (Norfolk Pine)

Araucaria heterophylla, commonly known as the Norfolk Pine, is a large evergreen tree with a symmetrical, pyramidal form. It features dense, narrow...

From$450.68
Juniperus 'Skyrocket' shrubs with blue-grey foliage.
Most Popular

Juniperus 'Skyrocket'

Juniperus 'Skyrocket', commonly known as the Skyrocket Juniper or Rocky Mountain Juniper, is a popular conifer that grows as a broad column. It...

From$299.92
taxus-baccata-fastigata-
Most Popular

Taxus baccata Fastigata

Taxus baccata Fastigiata, commonly known as the Irish Yes, is a conifer grown for its attractive foliage and slender form. This evergreen has a...

From$210.73
Large Juniperus 'Kaizuka' trees as a cluster.
Most Popular

Juniperus chinensis Kaizuka

Juniperus 'Kaizuka', commonly known as the Hollywood Juniper tree or Torulosa Juniper, is an upright conifer with an oriental style. It bears...

From$299.92
Thuja occidentalis 'Smaragd' hedge with bright green foliage.
Most Popular

Thuja occidentalis 'Smaragd' (Green Cedar)

Thuja 'Smaragd', commonly known as the Green or Emerald Cedar, grows with a narrow, dense, and columnar habit. The foliage is rich green, sometimes...

From$33.68
Cupressus Totem

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring Cupressus or Conifer Shrubs.

Search Cupressus Totem

Why Choose Cupressus 'Totem' (Totem Cypress)?

Cupressus sempervirens totem pole stands out thanks to its distinctive columnar habit, reaching heights of up to 6 metres while maintaining a width of just 1 metre. This makes Totem Cypress perfect for modern, geometric plantings, Mediterranean-inspired gardens, or as a living fence to block unsightly views. Its evergreen foliage maintains year-round colour, and once established, the plant is drought-tolerant and resilient to wind. Cupressus 'Totem' is well-suited to container planting, driveway avenues, or tight urban spaces where every centimetre counts. For gardeners who appreciate tidy, vertical lines with minimal effort, Totem Cypress is a top contender.

Where to Plant Totem Cypress

Cupressus sempervirens totem pole thrives in full sun to partial shade, preferring well-drained soils. It performs well both individually – as a feature plant – or in rows for a dramatic boundary or screen. Regular watering during its initial establishment phase helps develop strong roots; thereafter, it's surprisingly low maintenance. This cypress variety is highly adaptable, performing well throughout most regions of New Zealand. Its upright growth also makes it a superb choice where overhead space is limited but you want maximum green impact.

Creating a Landscape With Cupressus Sempervirens and Related Conifers

Pairing Totem Cypress with other strong vertical conifers enhances architectural appeal and overall garden structure. Consider integrating varieties like Cupressus Gracilis (Italian Spruce), offering a softer, feathery texture, or Cupressus sempervirens Stricta (Pencil Cypress) for even slimmer profiles. For a touch of blue-green foliage, try Cupressus Blue Ice (Blue Arizona Cypress), or add a bold statement with Cupressus Green Spire and Cupressus Ovensii.

If your landscape vision includes contrast, mix Totem Cypress with other evergreens such as Juniperus Sulphur Spray or Juniperus chinensis Blue Alps. For striking form and winter interest, integrate firs like Abies koreana Silberlocke or Abies lasiocarpa Green Globe (Rocky Mountain Fir). Or highlight golden accents with Cupressocyparis Castlewellan Gold.

Totem Pole Cypress for Privacy, Structure, and Style

Whether you are seeking practical privacy or a stately avenue, Cupressus sempervirens totem pole offers evergreen beauty with unmatched shape and versatility. Its manageable growth and resilience make it a smart addition to New Zealand gardens of any size. Combine with other conifers for layered interest, or showcase Totem Cypress as a living sculpture that demands attention season after season.


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.

–The Plant Company

Explore Garden Inspiration

Sign up to receive a free $10 Voucher You won’t be bombarded with emails, just titbits of quality information from time to time Sign up
Free shipping on orders over $150!

Join our community of happy customers.

4.9

429 Google reviews