Cupressus Macrocarpa 'Lemon Scent'

Lemon Scent Cypress / Monterey Cypress ‘Lemon Scent’

Botanical Name: Cupressus macrocarpa ‘Lemon Scent’
Family: Cupressaceae
Origin: Coastal California (species); cultivar widely grown in Australia
Plant Type: Evergreen conifer (compact shrub to small tree)

Overview

A compact, citrus-scented cypress with bright golden–chartreuse juvenile foliage that releases a lemon fragrance when brushed. Dense, naturally conical and very clip-tolerant, it’s ideal for low hedges, screens, topiary cones and feature pots in Adelaide/SA. Thrives in full sun and free-draining soils, handles heat and coastal breezes (best second-line coastal), and keeps good colour year-round.

Key Features

• Mature Size: 1.8–3 m H × 0.6–1.2 m W in SA gardens (can be kept smaller with pruning)
• Growth Rate: 20–40 cm/year under good conditions
• Foliage: Soft, fine, golden to chartreuse sprays; lemon-scented when crushed; colour strongest in full sun and lean soils
• Flowers: Inconspicuous; occasional small woody cones (not ornamental)
  
• Seasonal Interest: Year-round golden foliage; colour can intensify in cool, bright winter light
• Wildlife Value: Dense shelter for small birds; cones provide minor habitat value
• Tolerance: Heat- and wind-tolerant, drought-tolerant once established; second-line coastal OK (front-line salt blast may scorch tips); light–moderate frost hardy (shelter young plants in Hills); prefers free drainage
• Planting Density: Hedge: 60–90 cm centres (closer for tight formal lines). Screen: 1–1.5 m centres; Specimen/containers: one per pot; clip to shape
• Pet Friendly: Generally non-toxic; ingestion of any plant material may upset pets

Where It Works Best

• Sunlight: Full sun (best colour/compactness); light part shade = greener tone, looser habit
• Soil: Well-drained sandy/loam or calcareous soils common on Adelaide Plains; tolerates clay loam if mounded/raised; avoid waterlogging
• Water Needs: Establishment: 2 deep soaks/week for 8–12 weeks. Established: deep soak every 2–3 weeks in summer (weekly in heatwaves); minimal in winter
• Maintenance: Light clip 2–4×/year to keep dense/conical (avoid cutting back into old brown wood); mulch; feed in spring with a gentle controlled-release, balanced fertiliser; check iron on very alkaline soils if yellowing
• Lifespan: 15–25+ years in well-drained sites
• Climate Zones: Temperate & Mediterranean SA—excellent on Adelaide Plains and second-line coastal; choose a frost-sheltered spot in colder Hills gardens
• Soil pH: Neutral to alkaline (tolerates slightly acidic if free-draining)

Landscape & Design Ideas

• Formal low hedge or narrow screen with year-round colour
• Topiary cones/columns in pots at entries and terraces
• Golden contrast in gravel/Mediterranean borders with rosemary & westringia
• Wind-filter and architectural accent in coastal suburbs (set back from direct spray)

Why You Will Love It

A lemon-fragrant, golden conifer that clips beautifully, loves Adelaide sun, and stays neat and bright with very little fuss—perfect for tidy hedges, pots and small-space structure.