Create a Leyland cypress hedge - decorative privacy screen

Create a Leyland cypress hedge - decorative privacy screen

This is why the Leyland cypress is so suitable as a hedge

  • Fast growing
  • conditionally hardy
  • easy to care for
  • decorative

Few trees grow as fast as Leyland cypresses. They gain between 50 and 100 centimeters in height and width every year.

also read

  • Which plant spacing for Leyland cypress trees?
  • Leyland cypress trees are poisonous
  • The rapid growth of the Leyland cypress

The right location

A Leyland cypress hedge thrives best in a sunny spot. However, it still grows well in partially shaded places.

The soil must be slightly acidic and nice and loose. In heavy soils, you should definitely create a drainage, as waterlogging is not tolerated at all.

The location should be somewhat protected. In unprotected locations, there is a risk that the plants will suffer frost damage at very low temperatures.

Planting Leyland cypress hedge

  • Dig a trench
  • improve with garden soil and conifer fertilizer
  • Do not insert plants too deeply
  • Fill up the earth
  • step carefully
  • pour well

The ideal time to plant is in August or September. Dig a trench that is about two inches wide. The depth should be about twice the root ball. The sapling must not be set deeper than they were in the pot.

If the hedge is to become very dense very quickly, place three plants per meter of hedge. If you're not in a hurry, two plants per meter are enough. The ideal planting distance is 30 to 50 centimeters.

Maintaining the Leyland cypress hedge properly

Since Leyland cypresses are very fast-growing, they need plenty of nutrients. Fertilize the hedge in spring with special hedge fertilizer for conifers. A second fertilization in summer with horn shavings (€ 6.39 at Amazon *) is recommended. When using slow release fertilizer, one application in spring is sufficient.

Leyland cypress trees do not tolerate drought. Regular watering is therefore urgently required - even in winter! Avoid waterlogging, however, so that no root rot can develop.

Especially in dry winters, you need to provide the Leyland cypress hedge with regular water. But only water on frost-free days.

Cutting Leyland cypress hedge

In order for the Leyland cypress hedge to become dense quickly, you have to cut it twice a year.

The first cut is made in spring shortly before or during the new shoot. The second pruning is done at the end of August or in September.

Until the hedge has reached the desired height, trim the top by a third or half of the annual growth. This stimulates growth and the hedge becomes dense faster.

Tips

In contrast to arborvitae such as thuja, the Leyland cypress does not bald in the middle as quickly. The hedge will stay nice and tight for many years.