Young Leyland Cypress TOO Close to Townhouse -photo by Ken Soergel

Leyland cypress  (x Cupressocyparis leylandii)  grows into a 50 foot tall evergreen behemoth. What happens when the plants (in photo) get too close to the small deck(s)? Access to the deck from the stairs will become impossible as the evergreens swallow up the entire back yard. Looking out from the deck and windows from the home won’t be likely within 5 years.

Here are six better low growing evergreen alternatives in the 12-25 foot height range which should be better fit into this landscape are:

Leatherleaf viburnum (Viburnum rhytidophyllum) @12-15 feet in 15 years

Prague viburnum (Viburnum x pragense) @8-12 feet

Skip laurel (Prunus laurocerasus ‘Schipkaensis’) @8-12 feet

Emerald arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis ‘Smaragd’) @18-20 feet

Foster No. 2 holly (Ilex x attenuata ‘Foster No. 2’) @16-18 feet

Nellie R. Stevens holly (Ilex x cornuta ‘Nellie R. Stevens’) @18-20 feet

Another option is a plant a hedge row of evergreens such as hemlock (Tsuga canadensis), white pine (Pinus strobus), or upright junipers (Juniperus chinensis). Evergreens would require pruning at least once a year.

In the Southern Appalachian region (USDA hardiness zones 6 and 7), Leyland cypress is not a good choice for an average size residential lot. Limit plantings to public parks, golf courses and large commercial properties and space at least 16 feet apart for good air movement around plants.

Leyland cypress is susceptible to three serious foliar diseases of which there are no fungicidal curative measures.