leyland cypress evergreen

Name: The Plant Company
Address: 284 Meeanee Road, Meeanee, Napier, 4112, New Zealand
Telephone: 0800 843 752
Price range: Contact Us
Rating: 4.8/5

The leyland cypress evergreen is a top choice for New Zealand gardeners seeking rapid growth, lush greenery, and an elegant privacy screen. Loved for its dense, fine foliage and graceful, upright shape, this versatile conifer anchors shelter belts and creates stunning living fences. Whether you need a reliable hedge or an attractive backdrop, the leyland cypress evergreen thrives across most regions and soils, rewarding you with robust growth and a timeless look year-round.

Cupressus sempervirens 'Stricta' (Pencil Cypress)

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Cupressus sempervirens 'Stricta' is a tall narrow evergreen conifer admired for its dense upright form and rich dark green foliage. This classic architectural tree provides year round structure, privacy, and formality in NZ landscapes while also creating a striking vertical feature in modern and Mediterranean inspired gardens. Its naturally columnar shape makes it ideal for avenue planting, screening, entranceways, and feature planting where strong structure and low maintenance performance are desired. Cupressus sempervirens 'Stricta' is highly valued for its elegant appearance, resilience, and year round landscape appeal.

Buy Cupressus sempervirens 'Stricta' (Pencil Cypress)

From $179.91

Suited to regions: All regions

Plant type: Conifers

Height: 20.00 m

Spread: 75 cm

Tolerances: Extended dry periods, Hardy

Garden uses: Hedging, Parks, Screening, Specimen, Topiary

Garden styles: Architectural, Formal, Mediterranean, Modern

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 which is held tightly on upright branches as it grows to 5 m tall and 90 cm wide. Cupressus Green Spire is a great plant for bringing height and depth to plantings and it often planted in a series or as pillars at an entranceway.

Buy Cupressus Green Spire

From $28.91

Suited to regions: All regions

Plant type: Conifers

Height: 5.00 m

Spread: 90 cm

Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy

Garden uses: Parks, Pool areas, Screening, Specimen

Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern

Cupressus sempervirens 'Stricta' (Pencil Cypress)

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Why Choose Leyland Cypress Evergreen

The leyland cypress evergreen (x Cupressocyparis leylandii) is highly regarded for its exceptional growth rate, often reaching more than a metre per year in optimal conditions. Its feathery, deep green needles provide a soft yet dense cover, offering privacy and wind protection even in exposed coastal or rural settings. This evergreen requires little maintenance beyond periodic trimming to keep its formal shape, making it an excellent low-fuss option.

For even more choice within the cypress family, consider Cupressus leylandii, a favourite variety that shares the same vigour and screening benefits. If you're after a different colour or unique growth habit, varieties like Cupressus leylandii Ferndown, Cupressus Stapehill, and Cupressocyparis leylandii 'Haggerston Grey' each bring their own character to the garden.

Planting and Care Tips

Choosing the right position for your leyland cypress evergreen is simple: these conifers perform best in full sun and well-drained soils but are remarkably forgiving. Loose, organic-rich soil encourages the fastest growth, but leyland cypress can tolerate clay and coastal winds once established. When creating a hedge, plant at 1 to 1.5m intervals for a seamless, lush wall of greenery.

Regular watering during the first summer sets roots deeply, after which the plants are drought-hardy and stress tolerant. Trim each spring or summer to maintain your preferred height and density, as leyland cypress can become very tall if left unpruned. Mulching with compost or bark also helps retain moisture and suppress weeds around your plants.

Landscape Uses for Leyland Cypress Evergreen

Leyland cypress evergreen shines where rapid results and year-round cover are needed. Use it to block unwanted views, buffer wind, or define garden rooms with living architecture. Plant on rural boundaries for shelter, or use as a backdrop for flowering shrubs and feature trees.

If you're seeking a contrasting groundcover underneath your cypress, take a look at Cupressus Greenstead Magnificent. Its silvery-blue foliage makes an eye-catching companion.

Explore Our Cypress Selection

We offer premium leyland cypress evergreen plants and related conifer selections for every landscape. Explore these enduring hedge favourites to find the best match for your outdoor project, and enjoy long-lasting colour and easy care from season to season. Visit our product ranges for more details on Cupressus leylandii and appealing relatives like Cupressus leylandii Ferndown, Cupressus Stapehill, and Cupressocyparis leylandii 'Haggerston Grey'. For striking groundcover, consider Cupressus Greenstead Magnificent. Your lush, private, and beautiful garden begins here.

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.