Cupressus arizonica glabra ‘Fastigiata’

‘Fastigiata’ is a narrow columnar form of the Arizona smooth cypress. Dense sprays of bright blue-green scale foliage cover the plant top to bottom, held in an upright fastigiate column that stays tight without clipping, around 1m wide at most.

Eventually reaches around 15 to 20m tall in time, though it’s very slow-growing and garden specimens stay more modest. Tolerates sub-zero temperatures, frost, snow and drought once established.

Plant in moist but well-drained soil in full sun, sheltered from cool drying winds. Good for a narrow statement where width is limited, and the blue tones work well against greener plants.

A cracking formal accent for a driveway entrance, a paired planting by a gate, or punctuating a Mediterranean-style garden.