Characteristics

• The Leyland cypress has a columnar or narrow pyramidal growth habit. It has blue-green foliage that appears in the form of flattened sprays or branchlets. With good culture, the plants can reach 60 to 70 feet in height.
  
  

Varieties

• There are many leylandii varieties, and they all have the same fast-growing trait as the original hybrid. Some, like "Castlewellan Gold," have golden-green foliage. Dwarf varieties, like the six-foot-tall "Hyde Hall," are suitable for smaller spaces. "Harlequin" is a silver-and-green variegated strain.
  
  

Expert Insight

• According to woody plant expert Dr. Michael Dirr, the exceptionally fast growth rate of the Leyland cypress has made it highly desirable for commercial Christmas tree production. The plants are also easily pruned to maintain a specific size or shape.