Experts differ as to whether cypresses are actually hardy. Some say that cypresses are absolutely hardy and thrive in any location, while others recommend only planting the decorative conifers outdoors in sheltered locations.

Cypresses are only conditionally hardy

How hardy are cypresses really?

Cypresses in the garden can tolerate shorter periods of frost. It can go down to minus 15 degrees for a few days, but as soon as the temperatures fall below freezing for a longer period of time, there is a risk that the tree will die.

An even bigger problem than the frost is the water supply in winter. Most damage, such as yellow and brown needles or dead branches, is caused by a lack of water.

Overwinter cypress outdoors

Cypresses are hardy in sheltered locations where temperatures rarely fall below minus ten degrees. If the location is also somewhat sheltered from the wind, you don't need to worry about whether the conifers will survive the winter well.

The situation is different in places that are unprotected and in areas where it often gets very cold in winter. Here you should definitely ensure that the cypresses are protected from frost.

Protect cypresses from frost

Lay a layer of mulch under the trees or hedge. It prevents the soil from drying out too much. Protect the cypress trees themselves by using

  • brushwood
  • burlap
  • thick cotton towels

drag over the plants. Plastic foils are only suitable to a limited extent, as there is no air exchange here and the cypresses can then rot quickly.

Cypresses in buckets are not winter-proof

If you grow cypresses in tubs on the balcony or terrace, you must overwinter them frost-free. The temperatures at the winter location should not fall below five degrees.

If you have a wind-protected corner on the balcony or terrace, you can leave cypresses outside over the winter. Provide winter protection by placing the tub on wood or Styrofoam and wrapping the plant in burlap. Push the bucket close to a protective house wall.

Water regularly even in winter

Even when it gets very cold, the cypresses often have less of a problem with the cold than with the soil that is too dry. It is therefore important that you regularly water cypresses as a single tree or as a hedge, even in winter.

Use frost-free days to provide the plants with slightly warm water. This is especially true for potted plants, which dry out even faster in winter.

tips

If you bring a cypress tree from the Mediterranean as a souvenir from your holiday, you should definitely not plant it directly outdoors. The tree would not survive a prolonged, frosty winter. It is better to plant such cypresses in a bucket right away.

Category:

Trees