Plant Min Zone: 5b
Plant Max Zone: 9b
Sunlight: Full Sun
Water / Rainfall: Low, Average
Soil Quality: Poor, Average
Bloom Season: None
Flower Color: None
Berry / Fruit Color: Green, Brown-Beige
Spring Foliage Color: Blue
Summer Foliage Color: Blue
Fall Foliage Color: Blue
Evergreen Foliage: Yes
Winter Interest: Yes
Scented Flowers: No
Drought Tolerance: High
Wet-Feet Tolerance: Low
Humidity Tolerance: Medium
Wind Tolerance: High
Poor Soil Tolerance: Rocky Soils, Sandy Soils
Height: 15' - 30'
Width: 10' - 15'
Growth Rate: Slow
Service Life: Tree: Service life varies
Maintenance Need: Low
Spreading Potential: N.A.
Yearly Trimming Tips: Selectively Prune into Small Tree Shape over Period of Many Years.
Plant Grouping Size: Specimen Planting of 1-3, Small Grouping of 3-5
Best Side of House: South Exposure, West Exposure
Extreme Planting Locations: Survives Severe Drought, Tolerates Extreme Heat, Top of Retaining Wall Locations
Ornamental Features: Multiple Seasons of Interest, Rot Resistant / Strong Wood Tree, Fine Texture, Exceptional / Colorful Foliage
Special Landscape Uses: Clean Street Tree
Possible Pest Problems: Occasional Problems
Plant Limitations: May get Occasional Winter-kill, Needs Excellent Drainage, Slow to Reach Mature Size
Blue Ice Arizona Cypress (Cupressus arizonica var. glabra 'Blue Ice') is a relatively new plant being used in Kansas zone 6. Originally native to desert areas of the Southwest and Mexico including dry mountain slopes, it seems pretty well adapted to our climate without many of the traditional pests that plague evergreens. Several 15-20 foot tall specimens can be observed in the Wichita botanical garden, Botanica. 'Blue Ice' Arizona Cypress is grown for its bluish nearly silver foliage, unique conical (pyramidal when young) growth form, and occasional silver fruit. Drainage definitely needs to be on the positive side but most soils seem okay. Planting on a South or West foundation is perfect. (or on a south facing berm) Extreme heat tolerance is not a problem opposed to cold-loving blue spruce. Growth is relatively fast at about 1 to 2 feet per year; also much faster than traditional blue spruce. Small established plants on a berm in Lawrence, Kansas handled the deep freeze of 2021 surviving -16 degrees F and a week of single digit highs with no damage. Definitely a plant for the future!