Cypress species - garden plants in many variations

Content

• Cypress species - garden plants in many variations
• Classification of different cypress species
• Use of cypresses in the home and garden
• The care of the cypress species
• Cypresses are only partially hardy
• Cypresses are poisonous
• Tips

There are only 24 cypress species altogether

Cypress species - garden plants in many variations

Although cypresses are represented all over the world, there are only 24 species of cypress. The evergreen trees, which usually grow in a cone shape, differ greatly from one another depending on the species. This affects both the color of the leaves or needles as well as the stature height and growth rate.

Next article Small instructions for planting cypress trees

Classification of different cypress species

The botanical name of the cypress is Cupressus, the Latin name of the false cypress is Chamaecyparis. They all belong to the genus of conifers and here to the conifers. Cypress trees are very long-lived trees. There are specimens whose age is estimated at 400 years.

False cypresses differ from true cypresses by the more flattened branches. The cones are smaller than those of the real cypress.

Under bastard cypress, the botanist understands breeding forms, which are made of different types of cypress. An example of a bastard cypress is the Leyland cypress, which was bred from the Monterey cypress and the Nootka cypress.

Use of cypresses in the home and garden

Cypresses are grown in gardens as individual trees or planted as a hedge. They form a good privacy because of their fast growth. Zimmerzypressen can also pull in the house.

Many cypress species are suitable for care in the tub. Here, however, must be poured more frequently. The planters must have a sufficiently large water drain, so that no waterlogging can occur.

Almost all cypress species prefer a sunny as possible location, but grow well even in partially shaded locations.

The care of the cypress species

Cypresses need a humus rich, slightly acidic soil. The soil must always be slightly moist, and waterlogging should be avoided at all costs.

The fertilization of cypresses is usually superfluous because the trees cope with little nutrients.

Most cypress species are very good cut compatible. They can be easily cut into shape. However, cutbacks into old wood should be avoided, as no new shoots grow at these locations.

Cypresses are only partially hardy

Over a longer period, most cypress species can not tolerate low temperatures. For this reason, cypresses set up in the open air need a sheltered location, for example in front of a wall. Alternatively, they are protected with mulch covers from heavy frost.

The biggest problem in winter is too little moisture. Cypresses must also be supplied with water during winter on frost-free days.

Cypresses are poisonous

Caution should be exercised when planting cypress trees in gardens where children and pets are present. All cypress species are poisonous. They contain thujone and essential oils.

For sensitive people, contact with the sap may cause skin inflammation.

If needles, cones or shoots of cypress eaten, sometimes set severe signs of intoxication.

Tips

One type of cypress that can cope with very inhospitable conditions is the so-called Sahara cypress. The species found in the Tassili n'Ajjer massif in the Algerian Sahara is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The stock, estimated at 153 to 213, is under nature conservation.