Add Depth & Color To Your Leyland Cypress Privacy Screen With These Companions

Let's face it: Not everyone starts with their dream yard or garden. Maybe your outdoor area faces a highway or a neighbor's window, or otherwise lacks pricacy. Whatever the reason, there are many design features that will add privacy to your yard, including a long list of plants to consider turning into privacy screens. In particular, Leyland cypress trees (x Cupressocyparis leylandii) are great additions to yards looking for some seclusion because they grow quickly, densely, and upright. But to give your Leyland cypress screen a bit of depth, color, and visual interest, try planting yarrow, sedum, lavender, and rosemary in the foreground.

There's nothing wrong with growing Leyland cypress trees by themselves. These trees have blue-green foliage, require little upkeep outside of occasional pruning, and remain green pretty much year-round. Leyland cypress is technically a hybrid of the Monterey cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa) and Alaskan cedar (Chamaecyparis nootkatensis) and is known for its ability to tolerate salt well. In some locations, it's also used as a Christmas tree! If you find that Leyland cypress trees aren't your speed, there are also over 140 species of this family from which to choose. However, if you're looking for statement blooms to bring an accent to your yard or colorful plants that aren't just flowers, adding something like lavender or sedum in front of the Leyland cypress trees is the way to go.

Leyland cypress trees grow best in USDA hardiness zones 6 to 10 and need full sun to thrive. These fast-growing plants prefer well-drained soil and can tolerate drought, which means they require companion plants that share their environmental needs. For example, not only is yarrow a perennial that comes in a variety of colors to spruce up your garden, it's also a great companion plant. Leyland cypress trees and yarrow will get along well because they're both drought-tolerant and require well-drained soil and full sun. Another great option is sedum, particularly the 'Autumn Joy' variety, because it has beautiful pink flowers and is a low-maintenance, drought-loving succulent that thrives in full sun.

If you're considering herbal additions to your garden, why not add lavender to the mix? Like the cypress, lavender works best in well-drained soil and tolerates drought well. Lavender also adds a touch of purple to the green background of the Leyland cypress; plus, it attracts helpful pollinators and deters garden pests. Yet another suitable companion, rosemary, has blue or purple flowers and a pleasant fragrance. This herb is a popular choice for many gardens because of its culinary value, and also since it acts as natural pest control while attracting pollinators. Rosemary is drought tolerant, prefers well-drained soil, and grows best in warmer climates, matching well with sun-loving Leyland cypress trees. Additionally, if you're concerned about creatures eating holes in your privacy hedges, rosemary is known for being deer and rabbit resistant!