Cypress Shrubs

When to Prune Cypress Shrubs

Prune cypress bushes in early spring before new growth emerges. Cypress hedges can be pruned yearly in late spring after new growth has emerged to keep them maintained. Dead, broken, or diseased branches should be pruned when you notice them, despite the time of year. Minor pruning can be done at any time. 

How to Prune Cypress Evergreen Shrubs

Cypress shrubs do not need to be pruned. It is certainly not something they require to be healthy and compact like many faster growing evergreens bushes. They can be trimmed lightly for a neat and tidy shape with basic pruners or hedge trimmers. If the inner branches get crowded trim a few back to open up the plant for better air circulation and light penetration. Remove any crossed, dead, or broken branches. 

Where to Plant Cypress Shrubs

Plant cypress shrubs in acidic, well-drained soil. While these evergreen plants can tolerate some shade they tend to prefer full sun for the best growth rates and color. Cypress shrubs grow throughout the United States. Check the zone recommendations for the plant you like before buying to be sure it is a good fit for your USDA growing zone. 

When to Plant Cypress Shrubs

The best time to plant cypress bushes is in spring or fall. Cold tolerant cypress can be planted in winter when the ground is digable. For areas with mild summers, summer planting is fine, just keep your cypress bushes well watered. Cold regions should plant these shrubs at least 6 to 8 weeks before the ground freezes so they can begin to establish before severe temperatures hit.

How to Plant Cypress Shrubs

Keep your cypress shrub watered until you are ready to plant. Dig a hole twice as wide as the plant container. Take the plant out of the pot and place it in the hole. The top of the root ball should be slightly higher than the soil line. Backfill the soil around the root ball and tamp it down gently to remove air pockets. Add a layer of mulch (pine bark or pine straw is best) extended at least a few inches past the rootzone or the canopy (whichever is larger). Mulch can help new plants establish faster and reduce your watering needs. Water deeply until the ground is completely saturated. Water daily for the first week and once or twice weekly for the first couple months while your cypress shrubs are establishing. 

Where to Buy Cypress Shrubs

Buy cypress shrubs online at PlantingTree. We are a family owned and operated online plant nursery that carries a wide range of products, trees, and plants for sale. Our cypress shrubs for sale are healthy, beautiful, and ready to plant. Scroll up to view our in stock inventory. Order online today and we’ll ship directly to your home! 

What Shrubs Grow Under Leyland Cypress?

You need to look for shrubs that tolerate shade and enjoy acidic conditions to properly match them up with the Leyland Cypress in the landscape. If your planting space offers some sunlight or filtered sun camellias, azaleas, rhododendrons, and hydrangeas are great options. Just be sure to check the preference of the plant you choose because each of these plants groups does have some varieties that prefer sun. Choose the ones that prefer shade. Some shrubs and plants that can tolerate heavy shade are the green mountain boxwood, liriope (lilyturf, monkey grass), burning bush, gold dust aucuba, hostas, coral bells (heuchera), sedge, and Japanese plum yews. Any of these should grow well under a leyland cypress. 

Best Cypress Shrubs

Gold Mop Cypress

Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Golden Mop'

Growing Zones 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

Sunlight: Full Sun, Part Sun

Soil: Fertile, Well-drained

The gold mop is a hardy evergreen shrub that requires little to no maintenance once it is established. It is disease and pest resistant. This yellow shrub is perfect for brightening your landscape and adding color and texture contrast. It grows 3 to 4 feet tall and 4 to 5 feet wide at maturity. Plant in full sun for the most vibrant yellow foliage.

Vokel’s Upright Hinoki Cypress

Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Vokel's Upright'

Growing Zones 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Sunlight: Full Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade

Soil: Adaptable, Well-drained

This cypress shrub is excellent for small spaces in the home landscape. It has a beautiful and unique form that lends itself to being in an asian inspired garden or rock garden. The Vokel’s Hinoki Cypress looks great in containers too! With a mature height of 4 to 5 feet tall and 1 to 2 feet wide at maturity this hinoki cypress fits in any landscape. 

Browse our entire selection of Evergreen Shrubs for more options.