Will a Leyland Cypress Grow in Maine?

Geography

• Only coastal Maine provides a winter climate regime that potentially could allow a Leyland cypress to overwinter. Along the ocean the temperatures drop to as low as minus-15 degrees Fahrenheit during the winter, and is still cold enough to cause Leyland cypress plants to suffer extreme die-back.

Effects

• Maine's winter cold exceeds the natural ability of Leyland cypress to overwinter. Intense cold and drying winds dehydrate the evergreen scaly needles and slowly kills the entire plant, including the roots.

Considerations

• If grown in a movable container, a Leyland cypress could be grown in a Maine garden but with considerable maintenance and effort. It grows quickly, needs frequent watering, repotting and must be seasonally moved to a cool, sun-lit building where the temperatures remain between 0 and 40 degrees in winter.