The columnar cypress, also known as the Tuscan cypress or Mediterranean cypress, is one of the most common tree species around the Mediterranean. The evergreen, very slender tree is also quite popular in home gardens, as it conjures up a little Mediterranean flair north of the Alps. Unfortunately, the otherwise very easy-care tree is not really winter hardy in our area - the columnar cypress freezes even when temperatures of more than minus ten degrees Celsius persist for a long time.
Are columnar cypresses hardy?
Columnar cypresses are only partially hardy and can tolerate temperatures of up to minus ten degrees Celsius. For better protection in winter, they should be planted in protected, sunny locations or cultivated in pots and overwintered frost-free. Alternatively, hardier coniferous trees such as Leyland cypresses or Arizona cypresses can be used.
Columnar cypress only hardy down to a few degrees below zero
However, the temperature information only applies to nursery products grown under local conditions, not to trees brought from vacation in Italy or otherwise imported. These cannot even tolerate a few degrees below zero and only for a short time! For this reason, it is advisable to only plant columnar cypresses in regions with a mild climate (such as a vineyard region) or to keep the tree in a sufficiently large pot. However, regular pruning is then essential, as columnar cypresses can reach heights of 20 meters and more.
Plant columnar cypresses in a protected location
If you decide to plant the columnar cypress, you should put it in a protected place - a sunny and warm location without drafts increases the resistance to cold even further. In this case, “protected” means that the tree should stand in front of a house wall or wall and in particular must be protected from cold east winds. In addition, only older columnar cypresses should generally be planted out, as younger specimens are much more sensitive - these are better cultivated in pots for the first few years and overwintered frost-free, but cool and bright.
The correct wintering of a columnar cypress
Columnar cypresses in pots overwinter as brightly as possible at a maximum of five degrees Celsius - the evergreen tree cannot tolerate frost, but still needs a winter break. Planted specimens are best packed in a special gardening fleece (€7.00 on Amazon) or in jute bags - the material should not only be permeable to air, but also to light. After all, it is an evergreen plant that needs light even during the winter break. Lightless or low-light packaging should therefore only be used for a very short time - for example during a period of severe frost - but then removed immediately. Please do not wrap the conifer in plastic foil or similar, as the humidity will rise too much and fungal diseases will be promoted.
Tip
Instead of taking the risk with a columnar cypress that is not sufficiently hardy, you can instead plant visually similar but much more robust conifers. These include, among other things: Leyland cypresses, columnar yew, thuja, false cypresses or other cypresses such as the very hardy Arizona cypress.
