CUPRESSUS arizonica 'Fastigiata'

Description: Common name: Blue Arizona Cypress. Medium sized dense conical evergreen tree with blue-grey foliage all year round, One of the best formal blue conifers in cultivation. The cloud like foliage is scale like and so an interesting contrast to other leaf shapes

Uses: Topiary can be grown in pots or containers but you need to make sure the pot is big enough for the specimen, and is well weighted to prevent it from falling over if the container has dried out or there are high winds

Climate/Position: Any position, tolerant of hot dry conditions

Soil Requirements: If pot grown the compost will need to be refreshed every 2 to 3 years

Pruning: Trim annually with topiary shears or hedge-cutters in early or late summer to keep specimen in shape. Faster growing species may need to be trimmed twice or more each season. Suckers and unwanted branches can also be removed from the stems of standards

Special Requirements: Existing specimens should be trimmed once or twice a year to maintain their shape, vigorous species may require more

Additional Interest: Fertiliser such as Growmore can be applied once a year in the spring if desired, to help maintain the plant's vigour and appearance. Mulch with bark or organic matter if the plant is not surrounded by ornamental gravel