Plant Type: Tree
Foliage Character: Evergreen, Coniferous
Habit: Upright, Symmetrical, Open, Narrow, Mounding, Low-branching, Dense
Growth Rate: Moderate
Foliage Color: Dark green
Flower Color: Insignificant, Brown
Flower Season: Spring
Soil Adaptations: Well-draining soil, Rocky soil, Loam, Clay, Calcareous soil
Exposure Adaptations: Heat, Frost, Drought, All day sun
Function: Specimen, Slopes, Screening, Residential spaces, Parks and open space, Mass planting, Grouped, Foundations, Foliage accent plant, Commercial spaces, Civic spaces, Background plant, Fragrant foliage
Height: 40 ft. – 60 ft.
Width: 3 ft. – 15 ft.
The Italian cypress is well adapted to all parts of the Inland Empire where it grows with normal winter rainfall and low amounts of summer water. Periodic deep water in summer is recommended to help maintain good foliage character. The chart below provides a baseline irrigation schedule for this species. As shown in the chart below, there are several winter months marked by an asterisk (*) when rains can provide sufficient moisture and irrigation is not needed. The high and low range of moisture indicates it can grow with varying amounts of water depending upon exposure conditions and size.
|
Jan* |
Feb* |
Mar* |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov* |
Dec* |
Runs per Month |
0x to 2x |
0x to 2x |
0x to 2x |
1x to 2x |
1x to 2x |
1x to 2x |
1x to 2x |
1x to 2x |
1x to 2x |
1x to 2x |
0x to 2x |
0x to 2x |
Inches per Run |
1″ |
1″ |
1″ |
1″ |
1″ |
1″ |
1″ |
1″ |
1″ |
1″ |
1″ |
1″ |
|
Inches per Month |
0″ to 2″ |
0″ to 2″ |
0″ to 2″ |
1″ to 2″ |
1″ to 2″ |
1″ to 2″ |
1″ to 2″ |
1″ to 2″ |
1″ to 2″ |
1″ to 2″ |
0″ to 2″ |
0″ to 2″ |
Range of supplemental summer water: 7"-14"
Range of supplemental winter water: 0"-10"
|
0″-2″ |
0″-2″ |
0″-2″ |
1″-2″ |
1″-2″ |
1″-2″ |
1″-2″ |
1″-2″ |
1″-2″ |
1″-2″ |
0″-2″ |
0″-2″ |
|
Jan* |
Feb* |
Mar* |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov* |
Dec* |
For more information on how to use this Irrigation Schedule and Graph, follow this link.
For information how to calculate your irrigation system’s schedule and precipitation rate, please follow this link.
Organic mulch of 1-2 inches under canopy, but held away from trunk and root crown are ideal. Little pruning is needed if allowed to grow to natural form and size, except to remove drooping branches as they occur (rarely). Be sure to plant in a space that can accommodate the plant’s mature width and height as they will be a pain to continuously cut back otherwise. They are often planted too close to walls or buildings. Italian Cypress can also be grown as a hedge or topiary, but be prepared to prune consistently to maintain desired form. Best planted fall through spring (5, D).
References