LE QUOTIDIEN DU JARDIN : TOUT SAVOIR SUR LE CYPRÈS DE PROVENCE, CONIFÈRE ÉLÉGANT (émission N°135)

NewsJardinTV, the channel dedicated to plants, gardens, botany, nature, and gardening, is pleased to present this 134th issue of its daily show: "Le Quotidien du Jardin." Patrick Mioulane, editor-in-chief of NewsJardinTV, responds to our subscriber Quentin, who asked us the following question: I love Provençal cypresses. Do you think it's possible to grow a small variety like Cupressus sempervirens 'Garda' in a pot? If it works, I imagine it needs a good size and a pot that's deeper than it is wide. Cypresses are conifers of the genus Cupressus, created by Carl von Linné in 1753 and which gave its name to the Cupressaceae family, which also includes the false cypress (Chamaecyparis), the juniper (Juniperus), the Thuja (Thuja), and about fifteen other lesser-known or unknown genera. The International Botanical Nomenclature recognizes 28 taxa (species and natural varieties) in the genus Cupressus. The etymology of the word Cupressus is of Greek origin, kuo meaning to produce and parisos equal, alluding to the tree's symmetrical shape. Cupressus sempervirens, also described and named by Linnaeus, has several vernacular names: common cypress, Florence cypress, Italian cypress, Mediterranean cypress, and Provence cypress. The species is native to Iran or Afghanistan, but it was introduced to Greece in ancient times and has become naturalized throughout the Mediterranean basin. Cupressus sempervirens is a large conifer that can exceptionally grow up to 30 m tall. The trunk, covered with beautifully crevassed bark, remains narrow compared to the overall canopy, which can be pyramidal or erect. The foliage is made up of tightly packed, imbricated scales that emit no resinous odor. The unisexual reproductive organs on the same tree (monoecious plant) are small swellings that are almost insignificant for the males. They release highly allergenic pollen (anemogamous pollination), while the female cones measure 2 to 3 cm and persist for 2 years on the tree. Here is our selection of cultivars... • 'Garda' owes its name to its discovery near Lake Garda, located between Verona and Brescia in Italy. It forms a very narrow column of 7 to 10 m, which remains compact because it produces few fruits, which is its main advantage. However, its rapid growth does not allow it to be grown for long in pots. 'Garda' is preferable to 'Pyramidalis', which also grows quite upright (15/20 m), but whose cones' weight can cause the branches to open. It must be pruned to maintain its elongated shape. For 20 years, cypress trees in Mediterranean regions have been attacked by cortical canker or coryneum (Seiridium cardinale). With Italian and Greek partners, INRAE ​​has developed two clones resistant to this disease. These are the 'Mistral' range, distributed by Sapho, which consists of large trees with average hardiness (-10°C). 'Antain' has a fairly flared shape, and 'Agrimed 1' is dense and fastigiate. • 'Stricta': the most common narrow, upright form, surpassed by 'Totem', but still very commonly offered by nurserymen. It reaches 15 m. 'Stricta Sancorey' is smaller (7 to 10 m) and resistant to coryneum. • 'Swane's Gold': narrow, upright, compact, with golden yellow leaves year-round, is smaller (6 m) and more sensitive to cold (-7 °C) than the green-leaved forms. • 'Totem': very narrow, glossy green with very thin branchlets, produces very few cones. Fast-growing, it measures 12 to 15 m. Native to fairly dry regions, Cupressus sempervirens appreciates well-drained soil, even stony and poor. It also requires limestone. In the language of flowers, the Cypress is a symbol of mourning, as it is often planted in cemeteries, as it requires no maintenance and can live up to 500 years. This symbolism was celebrated with the lovely verses of Jacques Delille, who, in his collection "Les Jardins" (Gardens), wrote in 1782: "And you, sad cypress, Faithful friend of the dead, protector of their ashes, Your stem, dear to the melancholy and tender heart, Leave joy to the myrtle and glory to the laurel, You are not the happy tree of the lover, of the warrior, I know, but your grief sympathizes with our sorrows." Thank you for watching this daily program. We hope you enjoyed this video. The entire NewsJardinTV team wishes you a pleasant time and looks forward to seeing you tomorrow at 7 p.m. for a new episode of our program: "LE QUOTIDIEN DU JARDIN" (Garden Daily). It's on NewsJardinTV and nowhere else! Patrick will answer this question: I would like to start growing strawberries. What advice and varieties can you give me to succeed? And is it possible in a pot?