Other Names:  Variegated Leyland Cypress

Description:

This lovely cypress features impressive green foliage that is dappled and tipped in silvery white; a pyramidal upswept habit that makes a beautiful visual impact in the landscape or borders; may be maintained as a hedge or topiary

Ornamental Features

Harlequin Leyland Cypress is primarily valued in the landscape for its distinctively pyramidal habit of growth. It has attractive white-tipped grayish green foliage with hints of silvery blue. The tiny scale-like sprays of foliage are highly ornamental and remain grayish green throughout the winter.

Landscape Attributes

Harlequin Leyland Cypress is a dense evergreen tree with a strong central leader and a distinctive and refined pyramidal form. It lends an extremely fine and delicate texture to the landscape composition which can make it a great accent feature on this basis alone.

This is a relatively low maintenance tree. When pruning is necessary, it is recommended to only trim back the new growth of the current season, other than to remove any dieback. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Harlequin Leyland Cypress is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Vertical Accent
• Mass Planting
• Hedges/Screening

Planting & Growing

Harlequin Leyland Cypress will grow to be about 60 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 15 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 1 foot from the ground, and should not be planted underneath power lines. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 60 years or more.

This tree does best in full sun to partial shade. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It is not particular as to soil type, but has a definite preference for acidic soils, and is able to handle environmental salt. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This particular variety is an interspecific hybrid.