Leyland Cypress
Best evergreen for homeowners needing quick, low-maintenance privacy screening.
The Leyland Cypress is a fast-growing evergreen conifer, celebrated for its dense, rich green foliage and upright, pyramidal form. This versatile tree is an excellent choice for creating effective privacy screens, hedges, and windbreaks, rapidly reaching mature heights. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers well-drained soil, making it adaptable to various landscapes. Generally low-maintenance and resistant to common pests and diseases, it offers a durable and attractive solution for both residential and commercial settings, enhancing visual appeal and providing natural sound reduction.
$39.99
Owner Satisfaction
4.6
/ 5
Category Rank
1080
/ 2713
#1080 in Plants
Price vs Category Average
-9%
Below average
Mature Height
4060
/ to feet
Who it's for
- Homeowners needing an immediate privacy screen or windbreak
- Gardeners seeking consistent, year-round landscape color and texture
- Landscapers working with diverse soil types and urban environments
Who should skip it
- Owners of small yards with limited vertical or horizontal space
- Gardeners in humid climates prone to fungal plant diseases
- Busy homeowners wanting a low-maintenance, hands-off landscape
Performance breakdown
Growth Velocity
Rapid vertical development creates immediate privacy and wind protection.
Screening Density
Thick, lush foliage effectively blocks sightlines and dampens ambient noise.
Maintenance Ease
Requires minimal intervention once established in suitable soil conditions.
Environmental Resilience
Strong resistance to common pests ensures long-term landscape health.
Adaptability
Thrives across diverse climates provided drainage remains consistent.
Structural Form
Consistent pyramidal shape provides a clean, architectural aesthetic for hedges.
Key Specs
Mature Height
40 to 60 feet
Mature Spread
15 to 25 feet
Light Preference
Full sun to partial shade
Botanical Name
Cupressus × leylandii
Foliage Color
Rich green
Growth Habit
Fast-growing evergreen conifer
Soil Drainage
Well-drained
Features
- Rapid growth for quick screening
- Dense foliage for privacy and noise reduction
- Upright, narrow pyramidal shape
- Ideal for hedges and windbreaks
- Low maintenance requirements
- Resistant to common pests and diseases
- Adaptable to various climates
- Vibrant rich green foliage
What customers say
The Leyland Cypress from Holly Days Nursery earns high marks for its consistent quality and impressive reliability. Customers frequently praise the robust health of the trees immediately upon delivery, noting the meticulous packaging that ensures safe transit. This initial quality translates directly into reliable performance; consumers report rapid, successful establishment and strong hardiness, confirming the product as a trusted, high value solution for creating effective privacy screens.
Know before you buy
The Leyland Cypress is one of the fastest-growing evergreen conifers available, typically adding 2 to 3 feet of height per year under optimal conditions. This rapid growth rate makes it an excellent choice for establishing privacy screens quickly.
For a dense, continuous privacy screen, space your trees 6 to 10 feet apart. Planting them closer together will result in a faster-forming hedge, but ensure you have enough room for their mature spread of 15 to 25 feet.
The Leyland Cypress naturally maintains a tidy, pyramidal form and does not require heavy pruning. You may perform light trimming in the spring if you wish to encourage denser growth or manage the width of the hedge.
Leyland Cypress trees prefer well-drained soil and can struggle in areas that remain consistently soggy or waterlogged. If your site has heavy clay or poor drainage, consider amending the soil or planting on a slight mound to prevent root issues.
Yes, these trees thrive in full sun and will produce the densest foliage when exposed to at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. They are also tolerant of partial shade, though growth may be slightly less vigorous.
Because these trees can reach a mature spread of up to 25 feet, it is best to plant them at least 10 to 15 feet away from your home's foundation. This prevents the branches from rubbing against the structure and allows for adequate airflow.
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Ask Hayley anything about this product before you decide.
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$40