Growing Leyland Cypress

meLeyland Cypress is a hybrid between the Monterey Cypress and the Alskan Cedar. Leyland Cypress is one of the few confiers that can successfully grow in the deep South. Hardy in USDA Zones: 5b-10. When growing anywhere in Zone 5, it must be planted in a protected location. Leyland Cypress will survive without any winter damage to -10°F. Winter damage occurs with temps colder than that, and ultimately death for pronged time. Zone 5 gardeners have had success growing these tree in sheltered locations. These trees have endured temps down to -20°F, but only survive becuaee they are protected for winter winds. Any exposure to wind, or prolonged exposure to temps colder than -10°F will kill the tree. My personal favorite cultivar is the 'Gold Rider' Leyland Cypress. It has deep golden yellow foliage that persisits all year. It has branches the branch outwards gracefully from the rest of tree, the gold color makes this even more striking to the eye! Leyland Cypress can grow in most soils, and isn't picky on certain pH. One disadvantage is that it struggles in drought. It has only minor drought tolerance once established. So in any extreme drought, it is best to irrigate your trees. Leyland Cypress is a popular Christmas tree in the deep South, parts of the southwest, and Hawaii due to being one of the few conifers to grow in a sub-tropical climate. Mostly grown for privacy screens.

Quaking Aspen

Quaking Aspen is a gorgeous mountain tree that reminds me of the Arctic. It has powdery white bark, and leaves that quake violently with the slightest breeze. Quaking Aspen (Populus tremuloides) is hardy in USDA Zones: 1-6. In areas of USDA Zones 5 and 6 with hot and humid summers the Quaking Aspen can have many disease problems. The most common is fungal diseases. They can be easily treated. The fungal issues can be treated with a fungicide. The Quaking Aspen is native to the northern half of Indiana. I live in the northern suburbs of Indianapolis. I have seen some wild patches growing on the edges of woodlands near my home. I am in USDA Zone 5b. There are some landscaped at a local nursery. They get terrible fungal problems that turn the leaves black then they fall off. They have spray fungicide on them a couple times during the growing season. This significantly reduces the disease on them. Now it is very spotty, but mostly green. These trees are very versatile on growing conditions. They can grow in arid rocky soils, to wet boggy sites. Found throughout the Rocky Mountains out west, and along streams and lowlands. There is a cultivar available called the 'Prairie Gold' Aspen that is highly tolerable to the heat and humidity of the east. It gets little disease problems, and has been grown all the to zone 8 with little problems. The cultivar was found in a prairie in Nebraska.

                                                            Native Range

 

Indiana Native Range

 Indiana USDA Zone Map

 Took these 2 pictures in Colorado

Wild clump near my home