Big Deal Leylandii Hedging 230-250cm 30 Litre Pot x 20 Plants

× Cuprocyparis leylandii 'Big Deal' – Leyland Cypress | Bold, Fast-Growing Evergreen for Hedging, Screening & Windbreaks

× Cuprocyparis leylandii 'Big Deal' is a vigorous and commanding cultivar of the ever-popular Leyland cypress, selected for its particularly robust constitution, exceptional density of foliage, and reliable, uniform growth habit. Like all Leyland cypresses, it is a hybrid of Cupressus macrocarpa and Chamaecyparis nootkatensis, inheriting the outstanding hardiness, adaptability and rapid establishment of both parents – but 'Big Deal' takes these qualities and turns them up a notch, making it one of the most effective and impressive hedging and screening conifers available for UK gardens.

With its rich, deep green, feathery foliage and naturally upright, densely branched framework, 'Big Deal' is perfectly suited to creating tall, impenetrable boundaries, robust windbreaks, and year-round privacy screens. Whether planted in a formal row or used as a bold freestanding specimen, it delivers a powerful structural presence in all four seasons.

Habit & Appearance

Upright, dense and impressively vigorous. 'Big Deal' develops a strongly columnar habit with a broad, well-filled silhouette, clothed from the base upwards in tightly packed, flat sprays of rich green, scale-like foliage. Growth rates are rapid – among the fastest of any evergreen conifer in cultivation – and the branching is naturally dense and self-supporting, requiring little encouragement to form a full, uniform screen. The foliage retains its deep, lush colouring throughout the year, giving hedges and screens a consistently rich, vibrant appearance regardless of season. Left unclipped, 'Big Deal' develops into a large, architecturally striking tree with a softly tapering, columnar outline.

Growing Conditions

Adaptable and tolerant of a wide range of sites. 'Big Deal' performs best in an open, sunny position but grows well in partial shade, making it a practical choice for gardens with varying aspects. It is accommodating of most well-drained soils – including clay, loam, chalk and sandy soils – and is tolerant of both mildly acid and mildly alkaline conditions. Its robust constitution makes it especially valuable on exposed or coastal sites, where its wind resistance allows it to establish and perform reliably where less hardy plants would struggle. Avoid permanently waterlogged or poorly drained ground, as prolonged wet conditions around the roots can cause decline over time.

Hardiness: Fully hardy throughout the UK, withstanding hard frosts without damage to foliage or structure.

Planting

Prepare the ground well for the best possible start. For hedging and screening, plant in a single row with approximately 60–90 cm between each plant, adjusting spacing according to the size of specimens used and the speed of coverage required. Break up any compacted soil before planting and incorporate organic matter to promote strong early root development. Water thoroughly at the time of planting and continue to water consistently throughout the first growing season, particularly during warm or dry spells. Once established, 'Big Deal' is highly self-sufficient and tolerates periods of dry weather well, but attentive watering during the establishment phase makes a significant difference to the pace of early growth. A balanced slow-release fertiliser applied in spring will support vigorous establishment and lush foliage development.

Care & Pruning

Regular trimming maintains density and keeps 'Big Deal' looking its best. For a formal hedge or privacy screen, trim two to three times during the growing season – broadly between April and September – to control height and spread, encourage tight, even surface growth, and build an increasingly dense structure over time. As with all Leyland cypress cultivars, always cut back into the current season's green growth; 'Big Deal' will not reliably regenerate from old brown wood, so avoid pruning hard into areas where foliage cover has already been lost. For a more relaxed, informal appearance, a single trim in late summer is usually sufficient to keep the plant well proportioned and tidy.

Tip: Begin clipping young plants early to build a dense, full framework from the base upwards. A hedge trimmed consistently from the outset will be far thicker and more effective as a screen than one left to grow unchecked and cut back hard at a later stage.

Perfect Uses

A hardworking plant for many garden roles. 'Big Deal' excels as a tall boundary hedge where rapid privacy is a priority, a windbreak for exposed or coastal gardens, a robust noise-reducing barrier alongside busy roads or driveways, and a bold green backdrop to mixed borders and formal planting schemes. Its exceptional vigour makes it particularly valuable where results are needed quickly. It can equally be grown as a freestanding specimen in larger spaces, where its naturally imposing, columnar outline makes a strong and lasting architectural statement.

Looks Great With

A versatile backdrop and companion plant. The deep, neutral green of 'Big Deal' provides an excellent foil for brighter and more colourful planting throughout the garden. Pair with golden-foliaged conifers – such as Chamaecyparis lawsoniana 'Lane' or a gold-leaved Leylandii cultivar – for striking contrast in a mixed hedging scheme. Combine with photinia, laurel or hornbeam to add textural variety to a boundary planting. In the wider garden, use it as a rich green anchor behind roses, ornamental grasses, flowering shrubs or herbaceous perennials, giving the planting scheme depth, structure and year-round presence.