Container size depends on the size of an Italian cypress at planting. Tall and slender, Italian cypress trees, also known as Mediterranean cypress, are often planted to stand as sentinels before a country home or estate. Fertilize the Italian cypress trees in early spring and again in early to mid-July. The amount of fertilizer to use for a tree depends on the size of its pot. After that, root prune every few years to maintain the size. In the landscape, Italian cypress (Cypressus sempervirens) grow into soaring columns of evergreen foliage. 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The larger the container, the more drain holes it needs. Read on for information about these elegant plants and tips on Italian cypress container care. Prune out any hanging roots when you are finished. As the tree increases in size, repot it in a larger container until the tree reaches the size you desire. Italian cypress really do “shoot up,” since they can add up to 3 feet (1 meter) a year of fragrant foliage. Make sure the container has bottom drain holes. No other tree epitomises the Tuscan landscape like the Italian Cypress (Cupressus Sempervirens), sometimes called the Mediterranean or the Tuscan Cypress; its elegant shape has seen it used as a mainstay of formal Italian gardens.Cypress are relatively easy to grow and care for, so there’s no reason why you can’t create a little slice of Tuscany in your own garden. You’ll need to keep increasing the pot size as the tree grows until it attains the ideal height for your garden location. Therefore, to ensure good drainage, use a pot with a drainage hole(s) and a quality potting soil or potting mix, or a 50/50 combination thereof, for planting. Read more articles about Italian Cypress. The leaves are scale-like and produced on rounded (not flattened) shoots. Use any fertilizer that has a higher percentage of nitrogen – represented by the first number in the fertilizer formula – than phosphorus and potassium, such as 19-6-9 fertilizer. The most important consideration when growing Italian cypress trees in pots is that their soil dries out much quicker than it does when they grow in the ground. Spread the fertilizer on the soil, and water the soil. If you like the look of soaring cypress soldiers but don’t have adequate space, you can still add these slender evergreens to your garden. You should check it every week if there is no rain and, when you water, water thoroughly until water comes out the drainage holes. Tall and slender isn’t just an attractive trait for fashion models. Container size depends on the size of an Italian cypress at planting. Care For Potted Cypress Trees Prune your potted cypress tree carefully. Place the root ball back in the pot, and fill the area around the root ball with fresh potting soil. Select a fertilizer with a higher percentage of nitrogen than phosphorus and potassium, such as 19-6-9 fertilizer. Italian cypress trees are less prone to transplant shock during fall and winter than other seasons. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English with a concentration in creative writing. How Often Should You Water a Podocarpus Buddhist Pine? That means that an important part of Italian cypress container care is checking for dry soil and watering when needed. An Italian cypress in a pot needs water when the soil is dry a few inches down. Once a potted Italian cypress reaches the size you desire, stop transplanting it into larger pots, and root-prune it every two to three years. Growing Italian cypress in containers outside is quite easy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 7 through 10. Use a high-quality potting soil to ensure that it drains well. Cypress growing in pots or other containers appreciate a moist, but well-drained soil. Step 2. But you can also ornament your garden with Italian cypress in containers. You should check it every week if there is no rain and, when you water, water thoroughly until water comes out the drainage holes. Because Italian cypress trees need to be root-pruned, potting them in homemade or purchased containers with removable sides will make the job easier. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden.