Because of their different shades of color, cypresses are not only very decorative - the evergreen conifers also form a good privacy screen. That is why many gardeners create cypress hedges that give the garden a Mediterranean flair. How to plant and care for a cypress hedge.

Cypress hedges quickly form a dense, high privacy screen

The right location for the cypress hedge

A hedge cypress needs a favorable location. It should be warm, sheltered and as sunny as possible. The conifer prefers a slightly acidic soil that is well drained.

Compacted soil must be loosened before planting. It is advisable to put a drainage layer in the ground.

In very drafty, shady locations where it freezes a lot in winter, you should rather plant a hedge of false cypresses or thuja instead of cypresses.

Maintain sufficient planting distance!

Keep a planting distance of 30 to 50 centimeters within the hedge. Plant two or three cypresses per meter, depending on how quickly you want adequate privacy protection.

Keep a sufficient planting distance from buildings, walls and sidewalks. The roots can become very strong after a few years and damage foundations or paving slabs.

Care of the cypress hedge

Aside from pruning, the cypress hedge needs some maintenance to keep it healthy and disease free. The most important care measures include:

  • to cut
  • pour
  • fertilize
  • hibernate properly

It is important that the roots never dry out completely or become waterlogged. Immediately after planting, you need to water regularly and make sure there is enough moisture later on. In summer, watering several times a day may be necessary.

Since cypress hedges are very fast-growing, they need sufficient nutrients. In spring, fertilize the hedge by spreading compost or animal manure under it. A mulch layer is also a good way to fertilize a cypress hedge. Alternatively, you can use special long-term conifer fertilizers from garden retailers.

Cut hedge cypress

Cypress hedges need to be trimmed regularly. Only then will the trees become nice and dense. Trim younger hedges twice a year, in spring and from August. With older hedges, a pruning is usually sufficient.

Even if the cypress hedge has not yet reached its final height, you should trim it regularly, by a third of the annual growth.

Cypress hedges in winter

Since cypresses evaporate a lot of water through their dense needles, there is a risk that the trees will dry out in winter. Therefore, water the hedge with warm water on frost-free days.

Cypresses are only conditionally hardy. Additional winter protection is advisable, especially in the first few years after planting. Cover the trees with burlap.

tips

Choose the location for your cypress hedge carefully. Once the trees have been in place for a few years, they can hardly be transplanted. Also observe the municipal regulations on planting distances to neighboring properties.

Category:

Trees