Cupressocyparis Leylandii, commonly known as Green Leylandii, is often chosen by gardeners due to the extremely fast growth rate that makes it the UK’s fastest-growing conifer. It can grow up to 3ft (90cm) a year in the ideal conditions! Despite its high growth rate, Green Leylandii hedging can be trimmed as required, at least once but up to 2-3 times a year for a really dense and neat hedge, and as a result, can be shaped and cultivated to the height and shape of your choosing. Read more: How high can I grow my hedge?
Green Leylandii originated in the USA and is a hybrid of two popular trees that reside there; the Nootka Cypress and Monterey Cypress. The trees were brought to the UK by hunters and gatherers where the Green Leylandii (Cupressocyparis Leylandii) was formed.
Planting Green Leylandii Hedging (Cupressocyparis Leylandii) Successfully
Green Leylandii is tolerant of most soils and conditions, making it a relatively easy plant to grow. When planting your green leylandii hedge, we would recommend planting them at a density of 2-4 per metre depending on the size you choose to start at. Plants closer together will create a hedge faster but ensure that the roots have enough room to spread. For more information and planting tips, check out our hedge planting guide.
For taller hedges and windbreaks (over 2 metres) the distance between the plants should be one quarter of the proposed height (so a proposed 4 metre hedge should have the plants set at 1 metre apart) in order to give these larger hedges room to grow.
They are hardy and tolerant of the most inclement planting situations making them a favourite for roadside planting. They are also particularly suitable for coastal sites as they will cope with both wind and salt, and are much favoured by landscapers for using in parkland areas to provide shelter.
There is also no best time of year to plant Green Leylandii hedges, but the time of year you plant them will depend on the level of care that is required. For example, if you plant your hedges in the growing season (March-September), your Cupressocyparis Leylandii will almost certainly require watering to ensure the roots don’t dry out. If you plan to plant them in the winter months (October to February), they’ll require much less watering compared in the following summer months, as they will have had time to grow strong, established roots although it is still important to consider watering your new Green Leylandii hedges for the first 12 months if conditions are dry.
Green Leylandii hedges are sold as potted plants in many sizes making them available at any time of year. Should planting not be possible when your plants arrive then checking they are kept watered means planting can take place when convenient. If you have any questions or queries relating to Leylandii then do not hesitate to give us a ring and we will do our best to help.
How Long Does it Take to Grow a Thick Hedge?
The answer to this question will depend entirely on your growing conditions, but when a hedge is well-watered and receiving plenty of sunlight, your Green Leylandii hedge should form a good, thick screen in about two to three years. Providing that you plant them well, your plant will experience extremely good growth.
Why Choose Hopes Grove Nurseries?
At Hopes Grove Nurseries, we are the UK’s hedging experts. Each year, we grow a total of over half a million hedging varieties that are delivered to green-fingered gardeners and landscapers across the UK. Based in the UK’s Garden England, our Kent sites consist of a well-equipped, 70-acre nursery. Each plant is lovingly cared for and grown to the best of its natural ability.
From our experienced growers to our knowledgeable sales team, they’ve all worked in the fields and gathered extensive knowledge of our hedging varieties. If you have a question you’d like to ask before you purchase, or are unsure of the type of hedge plant that you require, give us a call on 01580 765600 and we’d be happy to help.
We guarantee you won’t find plants fresher, or of a higher quality than ours. Why not view our reviews on Feefo to see why we’re the UK’s leading hedging specialists. If you have any questions for us regarding our Green Leylandii (Cupressocyparis Leylandii) or are simply unsure which type would be most suitable for you, get in touch.