Naylors Blue Leyland Cypress

Naylors Blue Leyland Cypress (Cuprocyparis leylandii 'Naylors Blue') is a very tall, very narrow conifer for screens and windbreaks. It reaches 12m to 15m high but only about 3m wide, with fine, dense, blue-grey foliage, and it grows fast. It is a plant for properties with room to spare, not for a small suburban block.

Why you'll love it

• Silvery blue-grey foliage. Fine, dense foliage in a cool blue-grey sets it apart from the greens of most conifers.
• Narrow and upright. Only about 3m wide, so a tall screen fits into a thin strip of ground.
• Very fast growing. It puts on height quickly, which is what you want when a screen or windbreak is needed.
• Tough. Hardy in most climates, it tolerates frost, salt and air pollution.
• Versatile. Use it as a formal screen, a very tall hedge, a windbreak or a feature tree, and as a potted specimen while it is small.

Where it works best

Tall screens and formal hedges. Plant 1.5m apart in a single row. At that spacing the plants meet into a dense wall of blue-grey within a few years, and light, regular trimming keeps the line tight.

Windbreaks. On acreages, farms and exposed boundaries it slows wind and shelters gardens, stock and buildings.

Feature tree. A single plant makes a slender vertical accent, but site it carefully, away from overhead cables, paving and pipes.

Growing Naylors Blue Leyland Cypress in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun, though it tolerates part shade. It is hardy in most climates and tolerates frost, salt and air pollution. In humid coastal gardens, watch for cypress canker, where single branches turn brown, and give plants good airflow.

Soil. Well-drained, fertile soil suits it best. Avoid sites that stay boggy.

Water and feed. Mulch and water well during dry periods, especially in the first few years. A slow release fertiliser in spring helps young plants along.

Pruning. Prune lightly and regularly for a tight hedge, cutting only into green growth. Leyland conifers do not grow back from old wood, so never cut into bare brown stems, and never top one halfway to make room for an overhead cable.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Naylors Blue Leyland Cypress as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. Tubes are the sensible way to plant a long screen, because young plants are easy to handle in numbers and soon catch up. Expect a small, slender plant at first. It also looks good in a pot while it is small. Plants travel upright in their tubes and settle quickly once watered in.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse our conifers
• Hedging and screening plants
• Plants for windbreaks
• How to grow and care for conifers

Common questions

How tall will it get?

Between 12m and 15m, and about 3m wide. Check your council's rules on tree and hedge height, and keep it clear of overhead lines, paving and pipes before you plant.

How far apart should I plant it for a screen?

Plant 1.5m apart in a single row. That lets the plants meet into a continuous screen without crowding each other.

Can I keep it low?

Not sensibly. Light, regular trimming holds the width, but height is the point of this plant. For a lower hedge, choose a smaller plant instead.