Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool →

Italian Cypress Substitute

Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images

Italian cypress trees (Cupressus sempervirens) provide the stately spires that are the hallmark of formal Italian gardens. Used for hedges, to line a driveway or as punctuation points in a landscape, they grow slowly to 70 feet tall, yet stay only about 10 feet wide. They don’t grow in all climates and need summer heat and low humidity. While they grow in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 7 through 10, in areas with cool summers, you may have better luck with a lookalike tree.

Junipers

Tall, narrow junipers (Juniperus spp.) are hard to tell apart from Italian cypress, except that their foliage is more blue-green. They don’t get as tall as cypress, so they’re more suitable for urban areas. “Skyrocket” juniper (Juniperus scopulorum “Skyrocket”) grows in USDA zones 4 through 9 and reaches 20 feet tall and 3 feet wide. “Blue Arrow” juniper (Juniperus virginiana “Blue Arrow”) grows to 15 feet tall and 2 feet wide in USDA zones 4 through 9. Junipers can be slightly toxic and may cause skin irritation.

  • Italian cypress trees (Cupressus sempervirens) provide the stately spires that are the hallmark of formal Italian gardens.
  • While they grow in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 7 through 10, in areas with cool summers, you may have better luck with a lookalike tree.

Arborvitae

The bright green foliage and upright stance of arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis) makes it a good choice for the same uses as Italian cypress. It grows in USDA zones 4 through 8. “Emerald” (Thjua occidentalis “Emerald”) is a deep green cultivar that grows 15 feet tall and 4 feet wide. “DeGroot’s Spire” arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis “DeGroot’s Spire”) is a narrow, columnar tree that reaches about 10 feet tall by 2 feet wide.

Yew

English or Irish yew (Taxus spp.) produce dense, upright growth and are one of the few conifers that will thrive in shade. “Fastigiata” yew (Taxus baccata “Fastigiata”) grows in USDA zones 6 through 9 and reaches 8 feet tall. “Beanpole” yew (Taxus x media “Beanpole”) grows 10 feet tall but only 1 foot wide and thrives in USDA zones 5 through 8. Most parts of yew are poisonous, so plant it only if you don't have curious children and pets.

  • The bright green foliage and upright stance of arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis) makes it a good choice for the same uses as Italian cypress.
  • DeGroot’s Spire” arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis “DeGroot’s Spire”) is a narrow, columnar tree that reaches about 10 feet tall by 2 feet wide.

Holly and Boxwood

Little-leaf hollies have small, oval leaves similar to those of boxwood. A columnar form, “Sky Pencil” holly (Ilex crenata “Sky Pencil”) grows 8 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide in USDA zones 5 through 9. “Graham Blandy” boxwood (Buxus sempervirens “Graham Blandy”) becomes an 8-foot tall, 2-foot-wide pillar in 15 years and is hardy in USDA zones 6 through 8. Both holly and boxwood are slightly toxic if eaten.

Related Articles

What Plants Make the Slimmest Hedges?
What Plants Make the Slimmest Hedges?
How to Plant Skyrocket Juniper Trees
How to Plant Skyrocket Juniper Trees
Shade-Tolerant Vs. Shade-Intolerant Conifer Trees
Shade-Tolerant Vs. Shade-Intolerant Conifer Trees
Deer Resistant Juniper
Deer Resistant Juniper
How to Identify Juniper Trees
How to Identify Juniper Trees
How to Grow Cypress Trees from Cypress Balls
How to Grow Cypress Trees from Cypress Balls
Cedar Tree Types
Cedar Tree Types
Podocarpus Fern Pine Versus Macrophyllus
Podocarpus Fern Pine Versus Macrophyllus
Juniper Tree Facts
Juniper Tree Facts
Different Kinds of Cypress Trees
Different Kinds of Cypress Trees
Varieties of Juniper Shrubs
Varieties of Juniper Shrubs
How to Care for a Privet Hedge
How to Care for a Privet Hedge
Yew Tree Facts
Yew Tree Facts
Types of Coniferous Trees
Types of Coniferous Trees
California Evergreen Trees
California Evergreen Trees
Is a Juniper a Cedar Tree?
Is a Juniper a Cedar Tree?
Garden Guides
×