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Leyland Cypress Reco

Hesperotropsis leylandii

Family: Cupressaceae Unknown Shrub (3-15 ft)

Leyland Cypress 'Reco' or 'Shorty' is a compact growing dwarf cultivar of a needled evergreen tree. It has olive green to blue needles and looks great planted in a container or as an accent or specimen plant. It is a great choice for small spaces, patios or low hedges. Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: Deer can be a problem in the winter months. Bagworm can be a serious issue. It is also susceptible to canker and root rot. Some may find that the foliage can cause some skin irritation. Gloves should be worn when handling. The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home & Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common pests and diseases. More information on x Hesperotropsis leylandii .

Source: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox ↗ NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, 53 attributes.

How it fits the guild

Guild layer 3 - Shrub (3-15 ft) Optimal soil pH Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
See companions & conflicts ↓

Companions & Conflicts

Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.

No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.

Also noted by NC State

Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.

Native alternatives Thuja occidentalis
Similar, less problematic Thuja occidentalis 'Little Gem'

Full plant profile

Growing Conditions
Plant type
Tree
Life cycle
Woody
USDA zones
6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist | Occasionally Dry
Available space
3 feet-6 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 5 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in. | Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
3 - Shrub (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Dense; Erect; Pyramidal
Texture
Fine
Foliage
Needled Evergreen
Leaf color
Blue; Green
Leaf type
Needles
Leaf arrangement
Opposite
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf feel
Soft
Leaf value
Fragrant; Showy
Leaf size
1-3 inches long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
The foliage is blue to olive green needles.
Flower detail
No flowers.
Fruit color
Brown/Copper
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
Its fruit is in the form of a cone.
Bark color
Dark Brown; Light Brown; Red/Burgundy
Stem color
Brown/Copper
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Origin
England
Wildlife value
Winter cover for birds.
Play value
Buffer; Fragrance; Screening; Textural; Wildlife Cover/Habitat; Wind Break
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Container; Lawn; Patio; Recreational Play Area; Small Space; Walkways
Landscape theme
Drought Tolerant Garden; Winter Garden
Design feature
Accent; Barrier; Border; Foundation Planting; Hedge; Screen/Privacy; Specimen
Garden tags
#low maintenance #specimen #dwarf #small spaces #container plant #woody #compact #drought tolerant #deer browsing plant #conifer #sandy soils tolerant #buffer #clay soils tolerant #bird friendly #winter garden #needled evergreen #salt tolerant #winter interest #evergreen #showy leaves #dense growth #showy cones #hedge #needles #screen
Problems & Resistance
Insect problems
Bagworms in Ornamental Landscapes; Leyland Cypress; Leyland Cypress Pest Management Calendar
Other problems
White-Tailed Deer
Problems
Frequent Disease Problems; Frequent Insect Problems
Resistant to
Drought; Poor Soil; Salt

Planted at Hunnicutt

Nobody’s planted this one yet.