Images Depict Mature Plants
Gold Rider Leyland Cypress
Cupressus x leylandii 'Gold Rider'
Gold Rider Leyland Cypress Trees are a standout choice in landscaping because it sports luxurious golden foliage all year, and is still resilient like a Leyland. You can even bring a pop of color to a smaller garden since these Leylands grow at a more moderate pace.
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Gold Rider Leyland Cypress Tree for Sale Online
Gold Rider Leylands (Cupressocyparis leylandii 'Gold Rider') are perfect for spaces where you want all of the benefits of a Leyland cypress, but a smaller growth habit and bright vibrant golden yellow colors.
Leyland Cypress trees grow 2 feet per year but they slow down around 10 feet high, then moderately grow to a maximum height of 35 feet at maturity. These vibrant trees work wonders as privacy trees, windbreak hedges, or specimen trees in smaller lawns and gardens. It holds the namesake golden foliage even in cold weather, perfect for winter interest gardens.
| Hardiness Zone: | 5-9 |
|---|---|
| Mature Height: | 20 to 35 Feet |
| Mature Width: | 10 to 15 Feet |
| Sunlight: | Full sun |
| Foliage Color: | Golden yellow year round |
| Growth Form: | Upright pyramidal |
| Soil Condition: | Very tolerant of all soil types |
How to Care for Gold Rider Leyland Cypress
Once you buy a Gold Rider Leyland Cypress tree, make sure to read about the recommended care instructions to keep this plant healthy and thriving.
When should I water Gold Rider Leyland Cypress Trees?
To help your Gold Rider Leyland Cypress tree roots to establish, apply 2-3 gallons of water for each inch of trunk in diameter several times a week. Monitor the soil at least every other day, and only water when the first two inches are dry - the pacing will depend on how well your soil drains. Continue watering well until the roots are well established, around 3 to 6 months. You can also invest in soaker hoses or Treegator bags to make it easier to establish a good watering routine. Once established, water as needed based on your grow zone and water table.
When should I fertilize my Gold Rider Leland Cypress?
Gold Rider Leyland Cypress is best fertilized in early spring. We recommend when planting your plants to use Bio-tone starter fertilizer by Espoma. We have tested many so-called “starter fertilizers” over the years and have come to rely on Bio-tone exclusively Bio-tone® Starter Plus is an all-natural plant food that is combined with a stronger concentration of beneficial bacteria along with both endo and ecto mycorrhizae. After establishment and during the following years we recommend Holly-tone used at the recommended rates. It is also an organic and slow release which will feed your trees the proper amount of nutrients over a period of time rather than all at once. It also will help to maintain the acid level in the soil that Leylands need to thrive.
What is the best soil for Leyland Cypress Trees?
Leyland Cypress Trees grow well in a wide range of soils, ranging from all sand to pure red clay - as long as they will not sit in an underwater stream or sit in soil that does not drain, Leyland Cypress Trees will be just fine. When planting in very sandy soils, adding organic matter is always recommended to improve the soils ability to hold water and nutrients. When planting in hard clay soils, it's best to dig the hole several feet wider than the root system. Once complete, fill the hole with soft loam soil to give the young Leyland Cypress tree a faster, more aggressive root system. Leyland Cypress prefers well drained soils but will tolerate wet soils for short periods of time. Leylands should never be planted in soils that are excessively wet for long periods of time. Since Leyland Cypress have a shallow root system, weeds and grass growing around the tree will cause the tree to grow much slower until established.
How do I plant Gold Rider Leyland Cypress Trees?
To start, dig a hole twice as wide and the same depth of the young tree's root ball (i.e. twice as wide and the same depth as the container it arrived in). Position the plant so that when you backfill the hole, the tree will not be too deep. A good measurement of proper depth is when you an still see the top of the original container's soil before adding any layers of mulch. Then, backfill the hole with an even mix of native local soil and organic matter, such as peat moss or humus. Too much organic matter will create too much water retention, but not amending the soil at all can affect drainage and nutritional value of the soil for the roots. Once the hole has been filled and the Gold Rider Leyland is in the right position, cover the area under the dripline with a 3 -4 inch layer of organic mulch. This will help regulate soil temperatures and stop weeds. Water the area throroughly - this will be more water than in subsequent waterings since much of it will run off at first. Lastly, young trees benefit from a tree staking kit, so they have support from wind and elements. You cannot tie the tree to the stakes too tightly, since the trunk is actively growing and needs space. A short piece of old garden hose can protect the young trunk from the tree stake ties and keep everything stabilized. If you are planting a large group of leylands for a hedge or windbreak border, keep in mind that they will need 10 or 15 feet of space between trunks for when they are fully mature. There are many ways to layout your hedge to create a fuller feel before they are fully mature trees.
