One of the fast-growing and best-known cypress trees is the leylandi. It can grow almost two and a half meters a year, which makes it one of the most appreciated when you want to notice a difference in a short time. But how to plant the leylandii hedge?
If you have seen this cypress and it has caught your attention, but you are not sure if it needs some specific steps when planting, when to do it, how... here we explain it to you in a small guide so that you have all the information.
When to plant the leylandii hedge
Source: Online nursery
Unlike what can happen with other plants, where you have to wait for winter to pass or spring to arrive to do it, In the case of the Leylandii hedge, it is planted a few months early.
And the best time to plant it is when the temperatures are mild, the best period being autumn. In winter we do not recommend it because the cold can take its toll on the seeds or seedlings. of this hedge, and in the end, unless you are very attentive to the plant, it may be more likely to die.
If the climate where you live is usually cold almost all year round, then yes You can consider planting it in the spring months, at the beginning of this, because there will still be a mild temperature. But this might not be good, for example in areas with a temperate or warm climate (like southern Spain, for example).
What type of leylandii hedge to plant
The next question you can ask yourself when planting the leylandii hedge is what size it should be. And many times what we want is for it to be as big as possible in order to save time. The problem is that sometimes this cannot be done.
You see, there are three ways to plant it:
- By seeds, so it will take a long time to grow and that may not be functional for you.
- Plants less than 50 centimeters. We also do not recommend them because they are not yet strong enough to withstand transplants, drastic changes in temperature, lack of care...
- Plants more than two meters high. Something that we do not recommend for two reasons: they take root much more slowly and also take longer to adapt.
Therefore, based on the above, we can say that it is best for them to be more than 50 centimeters and less than two meters high.
The ideal? Well bet on about 70cm – 1 meter high. This way they will not be too small seedlings, but more resistant, and you will not face the problem of adaptation as they are not yet large enough.
Can several cypress trees be planted together?
A common question, especially if leylandii cypresses are for covering fences or areas not too extensive, it has to do with the space between plants.
In this case, experts recommend that there be a separation between hedges of at least 50 centimeters. This way they will not compete or fight for nutrients from the earth or for sunlight. Although The ideal would be 100 centimeters (that is, one meter).
Keep in mind that, even if they are small at first and you think they are too far apart, they will grow over time, and in the end the distance between plants will barely be noticeable.
How to plant the leylandii hedge
Source: Pinterest
Now, we are going to focus on planting the leylandii hedge. And to do this, the steps you should follow are the following:
Prepare the tools and elements
Before you get to work planting, you have to have all the elements on hand What are you going to need for it? That is to say:
- Land.
- Slow release fertilizer.
- Shovel.
- Hoe.
- Gloves.
- Safety glasses.
- Leylandii hedge.
- Water.
With all this prepared, you can move on to the next section.
Preparing the land for the hedge
Here we must divide the section into two. And it is that Planting the leylandii hedge in a pot is not the same as planting it in the ground. The second is normal, but it doesn't mean you can't have it in a controlled pot.
If you plant it in a pot, you will have to prepare the soil. In this case, we advise you to use a good quality substrate (the more the better). Add some drainage and also slow release compost containing magnesium. Mix everything well and fill the pot with the base and then transfer the cypress to it and finish filling it completely.
Now, What if you want to plant it in the garden? In this case you will have to make the hole first, and we recommend that it be somewhat deep, since its roots tend to go downwards. That's the good thing about them because you don't have to worry about them building a wall or damaging the pavement.
Once you have the hole, the soil you have removed can be used to plant it, although we recommend adding a little drainage and also slow-release fertilizer. In fact, A trick that many experts use is to fill with a little gravel to help prevent water accumulations that could rot the roots of the plant.
Now you only have to place and center the cypress, and fill the hole to fix it in the ground so that it adapts and begins to grow.
Don't forget to add water.
Can the leylandii cypress be placed anywhere?
If you have a more or less large garden and you have not decided where to place it, know that you will not have a problem with this one. Tolerates shade, semi-shade and sun, as well as any type of soil. But if you want to give it the best, then choose a drained and enriched soil (hence the fertilizer) and with plenty of sun.
What care should you keep in mind?
Leylandi cypress Source: Plantamus
Once you have planted it, it's time to water them. That first time it should be abundant so that all the soil remains moist (be careful not to overdo it). The trick? He waters, but in several phases. The first one just finished, the second a couple of hours later; a third if you see that it may be missing...
It is necessary that, during the first three weeks, it be kept moist to help it adapt and root better. Hence, If you can use drip irrigation or similar, much better. After that time, you will only have to water it moderately.
Unlike other cypress trees, this one tolerates excess water better, but without overdoing it.
Another care that you should take into account is tutoring. Depending on the size of your cypress, you may need to stake it for the first two years to keep it growing straight. After time, remember to remove it or you will end up strangling the trunk.
Finally, keep in mind pruning the cypress, which will require at least two a year (four if it grows fairly quickly).
Do you now dare to plant the leylandii hedge in your garden?