Cupressus Arizonica Fastigiata Pom Pom

Description

Quick Facts
– Botanical Name: Cupressus arizonica var. glabra ‘Fastigiata’
– Common Name: Smooth Arizona Cypress, Blue Cypress (pom pom topiary)
– Plant Type: Evergreen conifer, trained as pom pom topiary
– Form: Clear stem with clipped, ball-shaped tiers (pom poms)
– Mature Height: Maintained by clipping to the supplied form (a free-growing tree is much larger, so regular clipping is needed)
– Growth Rate: Fast
– Foliage Colour: Blue-grey to silvery-green, finely textured and aromatic
– Habit: Naturally narrow and upright, which suits topiary
– Hardiness: RHS H5 (hardy; may need shelter from cold, drying winds when young)
– Soil Requirements: Well-drained; tolerates dry, poor and chalky soils; dislikes waterlogging
– Aspect: Full sun
– Maintenance: Moderate: clip two to three times in the growing season

Description
Cupressus arizonica ‘Fastigiata’ in pom pom form is a smart, architectural evergreen. Clipped into neat balls on a clear stem, it brings structure and a cool blue-grey colour to the garden all year round.

The fine, aromatic foliage looks soft against the crisp shape of the pom poms, and the silvery tone stands out against dark green planting. It copes well with sun, dry spells and poor soil once established.

Blue-grey, sculptural and tidy, it gives a formal accent for entrances, gravel gardens and large pots.

Caragh Garden Notebook

Planting:
Plant in spring or early autumn in well-drained soil, adding grit on heavy ground or planting on a slight mound. Choose a sunny spot, ideally sheltered from cold, drying winds while it settles. Plant at the same depth as the pot, firm in gently, water in well and stake if needed to keep the stem upright. In containers, use a loam-based compost with added grit and make sure the pot drains freely.

Watering:
Water regularly through the first growing season and keep the compost from drying out in pots. Once established, in the ground it is drought tolerant and prefers to be on the dry side. Overwatering and waterlogged soil are the main risks.

Feeding:
Apply a slow-release balanced fertiliser in spring. In containers, feed lightly through the growing season. Avoid heavy feeding, which pushes soft, fast growth that is harder to keep in shape.

Seasonal Care & Tidy-Up:
Clip two to three times from late spring to late summer to keep the pom poms neat and dense, using sharp shears. Little and often works best. Do not cut back into bare brown wood, as conifers like this do not regrow from old wood. Remove any shoots growing on the clear stem. Finish clipping by early autumn so new growth can harden before frost.

Pests & Problems:
Generally trouble-free. Cypress canker and root rot can occur in wet, poorly drained conditions, so good drainage is important. Cut out any browning shoots promptly. Cypress aphid can occasionally appear.

Design Notes:
A good choice for flanking a doorway or gate, repeating along a path, or as a focal point in a gravel garden or courtyard. In large pots it makes a smart feature for a terrace. The blue-grey foliage pairs well with lavender, grasses, box and darker evergreens.

Propagation:
Cypress topiary takes years to shape, so it is best to buy nursery-grown plants for a well-formed specimen.