With their elegant, towering silhouette, Italian Cypresses are the quintessential symbol of the Tuscan landscape. In the Mediterranean, you’ll see these evergreens lining grand driveways or gracing public parks, and they’re a popular choice for creating narrow, stylish hedges. However, there’s a catch: they aren’t fully hardy in every climate. If you live in a region with harsh winters, you might want to look into some frost-resistant alternatives for your backyard.
Italian Cypresses: A Stunning Privacy Screen
These fast-growing evergreens offer so many design possibilities. As a standalone “specimen” tree, an Italian Cypress is a total showstopper—that iconic columnar shape is hard to miss! The best part? That majestic form develops naturally, so you don’t have to spend hours with the hedge shears trying to force it into shape.
In Southern Europe, these trees are a staple for avenues and parks because they’re incredibly low-maintenance. They aren’t picky about soil and are even salt-tolerant, which is why you’ll often see them thriving near the coast. They’re actually considered “pioneer plants,” meaning they’re among the first to move in and reclaim open land.
Whether you want a single focal point or a full privacy screen, they work great. If you’re planting them as a hedge, I recommend spacing the individual trees about 2 to 2.5 feet apart.
The Hardiness Factor
While an Italian Cypress hedge looks incredibly sophisticated, it’s really only a viable option if you live in a mild climate (think wine country or coastal areas).
These “Tuscan” cypresses are only moderately winter-hardy and can succumb to deep freezes pretty quickly. This is especially true for young trees. If you’re starting with small saplings, it’s a good idea to keep them in containers for the first few years so you can move them to a sheltered spot. Older trees are definitely tougher, but keep in mind: even a mature Italian Cypress has its limits when the thermometer drops!
Great Alternatives for Your Hedge
If you don’t want the stress of wrapping your hedge in burlap every winter or crossing your fingers during a cold snap, there are plenty of look-alikes that can handle the frost.
There are several beautiful alternatives that give you that same upright, Mediterranean vibe but are much better suited for colder climates.
Here are a few of my favorites:
- Thuja (Arborvitae)
- Leyland Cypress (Cupressocyparis leylandii)
- Blue Columnar Lawson Cypress (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana)
- Columnar Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus)
A Few Extra Tips
If you’re lucky enough to live in a zone where Italian Cypresses thrive, remember that they grow fast! You’ll want to give your hedge an annual trim to keep it in check. If left to their own devices, these beauties can easily soar to 60 feet or more!
