Types of Evergreen & Italian Cypress Trees

Evergreen and Italian cypress trees retain their colorful foliage and needles throughout the year, even in the winter. There are a wide range of evergreens that will add height and color to the landscape space. Evergreen trees like Italian cypress have a narrow, columnar shape, while cedar evergreens are tall and wide, creating a commanding presence to the landscape. Some evergreens are drought-resistant, and many grow in a wide range of soils.

Glauca Italian Cypress

Glauca Italian, a variety of Italian cypress trees are an evergreen tree with a medium growth rate. Its columnar shape is narrow and grows 25 to 40 feet tall and 3 to 6 feet wide, ideal for lining a front walkway or along a driveway. Glauca Italian cypress trees have bluish green foliage and a tight form. The scale-like shape of the leaves have a fine texture and grow less than 2 inches long. Glauca Italian cypress trees have an oval fruit shape that grows up to 1-inch long. This hardy evergreen requires full sun and well-drained soils. It tolerates many types of soils including, sand, clay, loam and acidic soils, making this evergreen tree very adaptable. Glauca Italian cypress trees are also drought tolerant. The USDA hardiness zone is 7b to 11.

Japanese Cedar

Japanese cedar is an evergreen tree with a moderate growth rate and fine to medium texture. Pyramidal in shape, it grows up to 60 feet tall and 25 to 30 feet wide, creating a striking presence in the landscape. The bright, bluish green leaves are awl shaped, or tapered upward from the base of the leaf to a point that is rigid or slender. During the winter, the leaves of the Japanese cedar turn bronze, adding a rich color to the landscape. Japanese cedars have small, brown cones and are easy to grow. These hardy trees are ideal for proving a makeshift privacy screen alongside the home because of their commanding height and width. Japanese cedar trees require full sun to light shade and well-drained, nutrient-rich soils. They also thrive in a range of soil types, making for a very versatile tree. The USDA hardiness zone is 5 to 9.

Portugal Laurel

Portugal laurel is an evergreen tree with a moderate growth rate and medium texture. Its rounded, bushy form grows up to 20 feet tall and 10 to 12 feet wide. Portugal laurel trees have oval-shaped, glossy, dark green leaves that range from 2 to 5 inches long. The white, fragrant flowers grow along a narrow raceme or stalk that grows between 6 and 10 inches long. During the summer, the delicate flowers emerge to light up the Portugal laurel tree. The fruit on the Portugal laurel tree are dark purple with a cone shape. Portugal laurel trees prefer full sun to partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. The USDA hardiness zone is 7 to 9.