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Cypress is a representative of evergreen coniferous trees, which is widely used in landscape design. Its homeland is the forests of North America and East Asia. Depending on the place of growth, the shape and color of the shoots, several types of cypress are distinguished. Most of them are decorative. They tolerate harsh winters well, need fertile and moist soils. To make a choice in favor of one of the trees, you need to study the photos, types and varieties of cypress.
What is the difference between thuja and cypress
Cypress is a tall, long-lived tree. Outwardly, it resembles a cypress, but it has thickened shoots and small cones with a diameter of 12 mm with 2 seeds. The crown is pyramidal with drooping branches. The leaves are green, pointed and tightly pressed. In young plants, the leaf plate is needle-shaped, in adults it becomes scaly.
Cypress is often confused with another evergreen tree – thuja. Plants belong to the same Cypress family and are very similar in appearance.
A comparison of the characteristics of these plants is given in the table:
Thuya | Cypress |
Genus of gymnosperms coniferous trees | Genus of evergreen monoecious trees |
Shrub, rarely tree | large tree |
Reaches 50 m | Grows up to 70 m |
Average life span – 150 years | Life span 100–110 years |
Scale-shaped cross lying needles | Scaly opposite needles |
oval cones | Rounded or elongated buds |
Branches are horizontal or pointing up | Shoots drooping |
Releases a strong ethereal fragrance | The smell is weak, has a sweetish notes |
Found in the middle lane | Prefers subtropical climate |
Cypress in landscape design
Cypress tolerates urban conditions, grows in shade and partial shade. In the heat, its growth slows down. The tree is sensitive to the lack of moisture in the soil and air, therefore, before planting, they think over the irrigation system. Cypress is suitable for decorating the recreation area of country houses, sanatoriums, recreation centers, parks.
Cypress needles are highly decorative. The color depends on the variety, it can be from light green to rich dark. Plants with golden and bluish-smoky needles are especially valued.
Due to its high winter hardiness and unpretentiousness, cypress is successfully grown in the middle lane. Trees vary in size depending on the variety. Tall hybrids are more often used in single plantings. Primroses and perennial grasses grow well under them.
Cypress is used for single and group plantings. A gap of 1 to 2,5 m is maintained between plants. Trees are suitable for creating hedges, then 0,5–1 m is maintained between them.
In room conditions, Lavson’s cypress and pea-bearing are grown. Plants are planted in small containers and pots. They are placed on windows or verandas on the north side. To prevent the tree from growing, it is grown using the bonsai technique.
Types and varieties of cypress
The genus Cypress combines 7 species. All of them grow in the subtropical zones of Asia and North America. They are also cultivated in warm temperate climates. All varieties are frost resistant.
Lawson’s cypress
The species is named after the Swedish botanist P. Lavson, who became its discoverer. Lawson cypress wood is valued for its light weight, pleasant aroma and resistance to decay. It is used in furniture production, as well as for the manufacture of plywood, sleepers, finishing materials. In recent years, the distribution area of this species has significantly decreased due to massive cuttings.
Lawson’s cypress is a tree up to 50–60 m high. The trunk is straight, it reaches 2 m in girth. The crown is pyramidal, the top is drooping, curved. The species is resistant to diseases and pests. In the spring it is prone to sunburn. Prefers sandy moist soils. It is recommended to plant it in the European part of Our Country to create hedges.
Varieties of cypress species Lawson with names, photos and descriptions:
- Aurea. A tree of a cone-shaped form and average force of growth. Reaches a height of 2 m. The branches are dense, green. Young growths are beige in color.
- Fletchers. Columnar tree. For 5 years, the variety reaches a height of 1 m. The shoots are raised, greenish-blue, with needles and scales. Prefers fertile soils and lighted places.
- Aluminum gold. Compact cone-shaped variety. The tree grows rapidly, reaches 5 m in 1,5 years. The shoots are straight, young shoots are yellow, becoming bluish-gray with time. The variety is unpretentious to the quality of the soil and humidity.
Blunt cypress
In nature, the tupolis cypress tree grows in Japan and on the island of Taiwan. It is planted next to temples and monasteries. The species has a wide conical crown. The tree grows up to 40 m, trunk diameter – up to 2 m. Decorative properties are preserved throughout the year. Frost resistance is above average, after a harsh winter it can freeze slightly. Decorativeness is preserved throughout the year. It does not tolerate urban conditions well, it grows better in a forest park strip.
Varieties of tuple-leaved cypress:
- Coralliformis. Dwarf variety with a pyramidal crown. In 10 years it grows up to 70 cm. The branches are strong, dark green, twisted, reminiscent of corals. The variety prefers fertile soil with high humidity.
- Tatsumi Gold. The variety grows slowly, has a spherical, flat, openwork shape. The shoots are powerful, strong, twisted, greenish-golden in color. Demanding on moisture and soil fertility.
- Dras. An original variety with a narrow conical crown. Grows up to 1 m in 5 years. The needles are green-gray, the shoots are straight and thick. Suitable for Japanese gardens and small areas.
Pea cypress
Under natural conditions, the species grows in Japan at an altitude of 500 m. Pea-bearing cypress is considered by the Japanese to be the habitat of the gods. The tree has a wide pyramidal shape. It reaches a height of 50 m. The crown is openwork with horizontal shoots. The bark is brown-red, smooth. Prefers moist soils and air, as well as sunny areas protected from the wind.
Popular varieties of pea cypress:
- Sungold. Dwarf variety with a hemispherical crown. For 5 years it reaches a height of 25 cm. The shoots are hanging, thin. The needles are green-yellow or golden. Soil quality requirements are moderate. Grows well in sunny and rocky areas.
- Filifera. A slow-growing variety up to 2,5 m high. The crown is spreading, in the form of a wide cone. The branches are thin, long, filiform at the ends. The needles are dark green with scales. The variety is demanding on the quality and moisture of the soil.
- squarrosa. The variety grows slowly, in 5 years it reaches a height of 60 cm. With age, it takes the form of a small tree. The crown is wide, conical in shape. The needles are soft, gray-blue. Grows best in rich, moist soil.
cypress
The species was introduced to Europe from North America. In nature, it is found in wet swampy areas. The wood is durable and has a pleasant smell. It is used for the manufacture of furniture, ships, joinery.
The tree has a narrow cone-shaped crown and brown bark. It reaches a height of 25 m. The unusual shape of the crown, bright color and cones give the plant decorative qualities. Dwarf varieties are grown in containers. The species prefers sandy or peaty soils of high humidity. Worst of all develops in dry clay soil. Planting in shady places is allowed.
The main varieties of cypress thuja-shaped:
- Conic. A dwarf variety with a pin-shaped crown. The tree grows slowly. The shoots are straight, the needles are subulate, bent down.
- Endelaiensis. A dwarf plant, reaching a height of no more than 2,5 m. The shoots are short, straight, densely arranged. Green needles with a bluish undertone.
- Red Star. Hybrid 2 m high and 1,5 m wide. The crown is dense and compact, in the form of a pyramid or column. The color of the needles changes depending on the season. In spring and summer it is greenish-blue, with the onset of cold weather purple hues appear. Grows well in full sun, can tolerate light shade.
Formosan cypress
The species grows in the highlands on the island of Taiwan. Trees reach a height of 65 m, trunk girth – 6,5 m. The needles are green with a blue tint. Individual specimens live more than 2500 years.
The wood is durable, not susceptible to attack by insects, and emits a pleasant aroma. It is used for the construction of temples and houses. From this species, an essential oil with a relaxing aroma is obtained.
The Formosan species is characterized by poor winter hardiness. It is grown at home or in greenhouses.
Varieties of cypress for the Moscow region
Cypress is successfully grown in the Moscow region. The tree is planted in partial shade or in a sunny area. A fertile loamy or sandy loamy soil is prepared for the plant. Work is carried out in the fall before the onset of cold weather or in the spring after the snow melts.
For successful cultivation, the plant is provided with care. It is regularly watered, especially in drought. Spray the needles every week. Mulching the soil with peat or wood chips helps prevent evaporation of moisture. Until mid-summer, the tree is fed 2 times a month with a complex fertilizer for coniferous trees. Dry, broken and frozen shoots are pruned.
Photos, types and varieties of cypress for the Moscow region:
- Lawson’s cypress variety Yvonne. A variety with a conical crown. In 5 years it reaches a height of 180 cm. The needles are golden in color, which persists in winter. Grows in moist, humus soils. The needles are scaly, yellow in the sun, and green when growing this variety in the shade. The color stays through the winter. The intensity of the color depends on the moisture and fertility of the soil.
- Cypress Lavsona variety Columnaris. Fast growing tree in the form of a tall column. At the age of 10 years, the variety reaches 3-4 m. The branches grow in a vertical direction. The needles are gray-blue. The variety is unpretentious to soil and weather conditions, able to grow in polluted areas. Differs in high winter hardiness.
- Lavson’s cypress, Elwoodi variety. Slow growing tree with a columnar crown. In 10 years it reaches a height of 1–1,5 m. The needles are thin, saturated blue in color. Shoots are upright. The variety is unpretentious in the soil, but requires constant watering. Ideal for small gardens, in winter it can be used instead of a Christmas tree.
- Cypress Lavsona variety Romana. A hybrid with a narrow ovoid crown. Top with pronounced feathers. It develops slowly, in 5 years it reaches 50 cm. The shoots are erect, densely arranged. The color is bright, golden yellow, stored for the winter. The tree is characterized by increased winter hardiness, undemanding to irrigation and soil quality. Suitable for creating bright landscape compositions and solitary plantings.
- Pea varieties Boulevard. Cypress grows slowly and forms a narrow conical crown. For 5 years it grows up to 1 m. The needles are soft, not prickly, have a bluish-silver color. The tree is grown in open areas.
- Pea varieties Filifer Aurey. Shrub with a conical wide crown. It reaches a height of 1,5 m. The branches are hanging, rope-like. The needles are yellow. The variety is unpretentious, grows in any soil.
Conclusion
The considered photos, types and varieties of cypress will help you choose the right option for your garden. The plant is hardy and frost tolerant. It is used for single plantings, hedges and more complex compositions. The variety is selected taking into account the weather conditions of the region, the soil and the place for cultivation.
