One of the more interesting plants in Red Butte's Mediterranean section of the Floral Walk is the Arizona Blue Cypress, Cupressus arizonica 'Blue Pyramid'. As the name suggests, this tree is native to central and southern Arizona and most at home in similar conditions, namely, hot, dry and sunny. It is supposedly only marginally hardy in Salt Lake City, but has performed well in the Garden for 10 years. It is worth growing if you have a warm location, either south or west facing in full sun and it is a nice substitute for arborvitae and upright junipers that are more commonly used.
Arizona Blue Cypress has a graceful, pyramidal shape with compact branches and grows to a height of 20 to 25 feet. The silvery bark peels away to reveal a reddish-brown layer that contrasts nicely with the silvery-blue, scaly foliage.
Arizona Blue Cypress is drought-tolerant when established and therefore is a good choice for a water-wise garden. Its silver-blue foliage blends well with the blues, silvers and gray-greens of many other water-wise plants. Like many other drought-tolerant plants, it has fragrant foliage.
Not only does this tree look good, but also it is deer-resistant, an excellent consideration for those whose gardens frequently provide a banquet for our four-footed friends.