Blue Ice Arizona Cypress

Blue Ice Arizona Cypress (Cupressus arizonica var. glabra 'Blue Ice')

Blue Ice Arizona Cypress (Cupressus arizonica var. glabra 'Blue Ice') is a striking evergreen conifer prized for its intense icy-blue foliage, upright form, and drought tolerance. This fast-growing cultivar adds dramatic color and strong vertical structure to the landscape, making it a standout choice for specimen planting, privacy screens, or windbreaks in hot, dry regions.

Distinctive Features

'Blue Ice' is known for its finely textured, silvery-blue foliage arranged in dense sprays on upright, reddish-brown branches. Its naturally pyramidal habit matures at 20 to 30 feet tall and 10 to 15 feet wide, with a tidy form that rarely requires pruning. The foliage color holds well through all seasons and intensifies in winter. Bark is smooth and attractive, often peeling in strips to reveal varied tones beneath. Its strong color and architectural presence make it an exceptional focal point in xeric or Mediterranean-style gardens.

Growing Conditions

• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Soil: Well-drained soil; tolerates poor, rocky, or sandy conditions
• Water: Low to moderate; very drought tolerant once established
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 6�9

Ideal Uses

• Focal Point: Bold blue color and symmetrical form draw attention in any setting
• Privacy Screens: Fast growth and dense branching provide effective screening
• Windbreaks: Withstands exposure and protects more delicate plantings
• Water-Wise Landscapes: Ideal for xeriscaping and low-maintenance plantings
• Accent Planting: Adds color contrast to green conifers and warm-toned plantings

Low Maintenance Care

• Watering: Water regularly during establishment; very drought tolerant thereafter
• Pruning: Rarely needed; shape only if necessary in late winter
• Fertilizing: Apply a general-purpose slow-release fertilizer in spring if growth is sluggish
• Mulching: Use mulch to retain soil moisture and moderate temperature
• Protection: Plant in well-drained soil to avoid root rot in wet conditions

Why Choose Blue Ice Arizona Cypress?

• Exceptional Foliage Color: Icy-blue foliage delivers year-round visual impact
• Fast Growing: Quickly reaches size for screens or windbreaks
• Drought Tolerant: Thrives in dry climates with minimal supplemental water
• Low Maintenance: Needs little pruning and adapts to tough soil
• Focal Point: Brilliant color and elegant shape make it a standout in any landscape

Cupressus arizonica var. glabra 'Blue Ice' combines rugged performance with bold aesthetics�an ideal focal point or screening tree for dry, sunny landscapes that need reliable evergreen color and structure.