Cupressus arizonica var. glabra Blue Ice (Smooth Arizona Cypress)
Prized for its foliage, Cupressus arizonica var. glabra 'Blue Ice' (Smooth Arizona Cypress) is a narrowly columnar evergreen conifer boasting showy, lacy, silvery gray-blue foliage in dense sprays. The waxy, scale-like needles are spirally arranged and retain their frosty blue-gray color all season. Male and female flowers occur on the same tree in spring. Male flowers appear as small oblong cones, quickly dropping off, and the female flowers appear as small, rounded cones which mature into the fruiting cones in the fall. Fairly fast-growing (12 in. per year or 30 cm), this compact, conical selection of Arizona Cypress is extremely tolerant of hot sun and drought conditions. A desirable conifer for use as a lawn specimen or hedge. Deer resistant.
- Grows up to 40-50 ft. tall ( 12-15 m) and 15-20 ft. wide (4-6 m).
- A full sun lover, this plant is easily grown in moist, well-drained soils. Tolerates dry conditions when established.
- Perfect as a specimen plant, hedges and screens, Mediterranean gardens or coastal gardens.
- Low maintenance, no pruning required. Can be used for hedging but will require regular pruning
- Virtually disease-free. Keep an eye out for cypress aphid.
- Propagate by seed or semi-hardwood cuttings.
Requirements
Hardiness | 6 – 9 |
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Heat Zones | 2 – 9 |
Climate Zones | 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 |
Plant Type | Conifers, Trees |
Plant Family | Cupressus – Cypresses |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest | Spring (Early,Mid,Late)Summer (Early,Mid,Late)FallWinter |
Height | 40' – 50' (12m – 15m) |
Spread | 15' – 20' (4.5m – 6m) |
Water Needs | Low, Average |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Showy, Evergreen |
Tolerance | Deer, Drought, Salt |
Garden Uses | Hedges and Screens |
Garden Styles | Coastal Garden, Mediterranean Garden |