Cupressus (Cypress)

Cupressus Trees & Cypress Plants

Evergreen Conifers for Structure, Screening, Containers & Architectural Planting

Cupressus, commonly known as Cypress, is a versatile group of evergreen conifers valued for their year-round foliage, distinctive shapes and strong architectural presence. From tall, narrow specimens to colourful compact varieties, Cypress plants can provide permanent structure in gardens of almost any style.

Our Cupressus collection includes varieties with very different characteristics, including the upright Cupressus arizonica ‘Fastigiata’ and the vibrant golden-green Cupressus macrocarpa ‘Wilma’, alongside other Cypress varieties suitable for Mediterranean, contemporary and traditional planting schemes.

Whether you're looking to introduce height, create evergreen structure, add colour to a container display or establish a striking focal point, there is a Cupressus to suit a wide variety of garden settings.

Why Choose Cupressus?

Cupressus are particularly useful where permanent evergreen structure is required.

Key benefits include:

• Evergreen foliage for year-round interest
• Excellent architectural plants
• Upright and compact varieties available
• Attractive range of foliage colours
• Adds height and structure to planting schemes
• Suitable for contemporary and traditional gardens
• Excellent for Mediterranean-style planting
• Some varieties are suitable for containers
• Can be used as individual statement plants
• Effective when planted in pairs or repeated groups
• Relatively low-maintenance once established

Cupressus arizonica ‘Fastigiata’

Cupressus arizonica ‘Fastigiata’ is an attractive upright Cypress with a naturally narrow, columnar habit.

Its distinctive blue-grey to blue-green evergreen foliage gives it a softer appearance than many traditional dark green conifers while still providing excellent year-round structure.

Its upright form makes it particularly useful where height is required without taking up excessive width, making it a striking choice for entrances, boundaries and architectural planting.

Cupressus arizonica ‘Fastigiata’ works particularly well:

• As a standalone specimen
• Either side of an entrance
• Along driveways and pathways
• In contemporary gardens
• Within Mediterranean-style planting
• As repeated structural planting
• Towards the back of large borders
• Where vertical evergreen interest is required

Its combination of colour and strong upright growth can create an impressive contrast against softer perennials and ornamental grasses.

Cupressus macrocarpa ‘Wilma’

Cupressus macrocarpa ‘Wilma’ is instantly recognisable for its bright golden-green foliage and neat, upright habit.

Its vibrant foliage provides year-round colour and makes it particularly effective for brightening patios, entrances and garden borders.

Young plants are especially popular for growing in pots and containers, where their naturally neat shape provides instant structure.

Cupressus ‘Wilma’ is particularly effective:

• In containers and planters
• Either side of doorways
• On patios and terraces
• In front gardens
• Within mixed borders
• In contemporary planting schemes
• As a colourful evergreen feature
• Planted in matching pairs

Its fresh foliage colour provides an attractive contrast with darker evergreens and flowering plants.

Different Types of Cypress

Cupressus is a diverse group, so not every Cypress tree will have the same appearance or growing habit.

Depending on the variety, our range may include Cypress with:

• Dark green foliage
• Golden-green foliage
• Blue-grey foliage
• Narrow columnar growth
• Upright conical forms
• Compact habits
• Larger architectural forms

This makes Cupressus much more versatile than simply being a traditional conifer.

Always check the individual variety for its expected height, spread and growing requirements before choosing your plant.

Cupressus for Architectural Planting

One of the greatest strengths of Cypress is its ability to introduce strong vertical structure into a garden.

Tall and narrow varieties can punctuate a border without occupying the amount of ground space required by a broad tree or shrub.

They can be particularly effective when planted in pairs to frame an entrance or repeated at intervals through a larger garden.

For contemporary landscapes, their defined shapes work beautifully alongside paving, gravel, rendered walls, raised beds and softer ornamental grasses.

Cupressus for Mediterranean Gardens

Cypress trees are synonymous with the strong vertical shapes often associated with Mediterranean-style landscapes.

They combine beautifully with plants such as:

• Olive trees
• Lavender
• Rosemary
• Agapanthus
• Salvia
• Cistus
• Phormium
• Pittosporum
• Ornamental grasses

Combining upright evergreen Cypress with softer flowering plants can create an attractive contrast of shape, colour and texture.

Cupressus in Pots

Certain Cupressus varieties are excellent for growing in pots and containers, particularly more compact forms such as Cupressus macrocarpa ‘Wilma’.

They can be used to create year-round displays on patios, terraces and beside entrances.

Choose a substantial container with good drainage and sufficient room for the roots to develop.

Container-grown Cypress will require regular watering, particularly during warm, dry or windy weather, as compost in pots can dry much faster than soil in the ground.

As plants mature, they may require repotting into a larger container or eventually planting into the garden depending on the variety.

Where to Plant Cupressus

The ideal position will depend on the individual Cypress variety.

Many Cupressus perform best in a sunny position with well-drained soil, although tolerance of exposure and colder conditions varies between varieties.

They can be used in:

• Garden borders
• Front gardens
• Patios and terraces
• Large containers
• Contemporary gardens
• Mediterranean planting schemes
• Entrances and driveways
• Formal gardens
• Architectural planting schemes
• Statement planting

Always consider the mature height and spread before planting, particularly with larger-growing varieties.

Planting Cupressus

Prepare the planting area thoroughly, loosening the surrounding soil so the roots can establish beyond the original rootball.

Position the plant so that the top of the rootball and natural root flare sit approximately level with the surrounding ground. Avoid burying the lower stem beneath additional soil or mulch.

Backfill carefully, firm gently and water thoroughly after planting.

Taller specimens may benefit from suitable support during establishment, particularly in exposed positions.

Watering Cypress

Regular watering is essential while newly planted Cupressus becomes established.

Rather than giving small amounts of water frequently, provide a deep and thorough soak, ensuring moisture reaches the entire rootball.

Check plants regularly during warm, dry and windy weather.

Container-grown Cypress requires particularly careful attention to watering, as pots can dry out surprisingly quickly even when the surface of the compost appears damp.

Is Cupressus Evergreen?

Yes. Cupressus are evergreen conifers, retaining their foliage throughout the year.

This makes them especially valuable for creating permanent structure and colour within the garden.

Different varieties can also provide contrasting foliage colours, from the blue-grey tones of Cupressus arizonica ‘Fastigiata’ to the bright golden-green foliage of Cupressus macrocarpa ‘Wilma’.

How to Prune Cupressus

Cupressus generally requires relatively little pruning when grown for its natural shape.

Light trimming can be carried out where necessary to maintain a neat appearance, but avoid unnecessarily cutting deeply into old, bare wood.

Regular light maintenance is preferable to allowing a plant to become substantially larger than required and then attempting severe pruning.

Pruning requirements will vary according to the individual variety and the shape you wish to maintain.

What to Plant with Cupressus

The strong evergreen structure of Cupressus works particularly well against softer flowering plants and grasses.

Excellent planting partners include:

• Lavender
• Salvia
• Agapanthus
• Cistus
• Nepeta
• Verbena
• Rosemary
• Phormium
• Olive trees
• Pittosporum
• Miscanthus
• Other ornamental grasses

For varieties with golden or blue-grey foliage, contrasting neighbouring foliage can make their colour particularly noticeable.

Buy Cupressus & Cypress Plants Online

Our range of Cupressus and Cypress plants for sale includes carefully selected evergreen conifers offering different shapes, sizes and foliage colours.

Discover varieties including the elegant blue-grey Cupressus arizonica ‘Fastigiata’ and vibrant golden-green Cupressus macrocarpa ‘Wilma’, alongside other Cypress plants selected for their architectural form and year-round interest.

Whether you're looking for a tall vertical accent, a colourful evergreen for a container or a statement conifer for a contemporary or Mediterranean-inspired garden, Cupressus provides plenty of choice.

Shop our range of Cupressus and Cypress plants online and add year-round colour, height and architectural structure to your garden.