Cupressus arizonica ‘Blue Ice’

Family / Families: Cupressaceae
Scientific Name(s): Cupressus arizonica 'Blue Ice'
Institution(s): Winter Garden, University of British Columbia Botanical Garden
Accession Number(s): 1989-0317
Location(s): Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Entry Author(s): Daniel Mosquin
Copyright Holder(s): Daniel Mosquin
Image License: Creative Commons License
Tags: Cupressaceae, Photo by Daniel, UBC Botanical Garden

Cones and foliage of Cupressus arizonica ‘Blue Ice’

In late afternoon winter sun with its heavy orange-yellow cast, ‘Blue Ice’ Arizona cypress doesn’t necessarily resemble its name. At other times, this cultivar is known for being particularly silvery-blue within a highly variable species.

If you’re familiar with this conifer, you likely know it under the name Cupressus glabra ‘Blue Ice’ or Cupressus arizonica var. glabra ‘Blue Ice’. For a small discussion on the name of the species, read the account about Cupressus on the conifers.org site. I’ve opted to use the opinion of the taxonomist who wrote the Cupressus arizonica entry for the Flora of North America, but that’s more out of convenience than conviction.

Photography resource link: For inspiration, the landscape photography of Australian Leigh Perry.