'Better Green': A Canker-Resistant Alternative to Leighton Green Cypress

Leighton Green has been the default fast hedging conifer in Australia for decades. Better Green is the modern cultivar bred to be even more resilient to canker, giving you a beautifully reliable replacement.

This is the case for Cupressus leylandii 'Better Green' as the modern Leighton Green replacement.

Why Better Green

Better Green is a Leyland Cypress cultivar selected for canker resistance. It carries the strong growth and pyramidal density Leighton Green is known for, with much greater tolerance for the fungal challenges that older Leyland selections can face in humid and coastal Australia.

It is also around 30 percent faster growing, which is fantastic when you are looking at a long boundary that needs to fill in.

About canker resistance

Canker is caused by a group of fungi including Seiridium and Botryosphaeria, which can affect older Leyland selections. Better Green is bred for a much higher tolerance to these pathogens, which is exactly what makes it the modern pick for fast tall hedging in humid and coastal climates.

It is not totally immune, no plant is, but it is the most resilient option in this family and reliably holds dense even growth season after season.

Key features

Mature height: 10 to 20m, can be pruned to desired height.
Mature width: 3 to 4m.
Foliage: Dense dark green needle sprays.
Form: Pyramidal, dense from the base.
Growth rate: Very fast, around 30 percent faster than Leighton Green.
Climate: Cool to warm temperate. Performs from Hobart to Cairns.
Water: Drought tolerant once established.

Planting

Full sun. Well drained soil. One plant per linear metre for an instant tall hedge. Stake young plants in windy positions. Any season works with the right watering rhythm — summer planting is particularly strong because soils are warm and roots grow fastest, with morning and evening watering for the first two weeks. Water deeply through the first two summers.

Position with plenty of clear sky above and a comfortable buffer from fences. Better Green grows tall and wide, so give it room to reach its full pyramidal form.

Care

Trim two to three times a year to maintain shape and density. Use sharp shears, blunt blades bruise the foliage. Finish the hedge with a slight taper so the base receives sunlight, this keeps the lower part dense.

Feed lightly in spring. Mulch annually. Better Green does not need much input once established.

Design uses

Better Green is the go-to for fast tall screening on country properties, rural boundaries, neighbour blocking on suburban blocks, and windbreaks. It looks formal when trimmed regularly and substantial when left to grow more naturally.

For small courtyards, a more compact hedger works more comfortably at that scale.

Frequently asked questions

Is Better Green completely canker proof?
No plant is fully canker proof, but Better Green is the most resilient Leyland selection available and bred specifically for high tolerance.

Can Better Green grow in humid Brisbane?
Yes. Better Green performs from Hobart to Cairns.

How tall will it grow?
20m plus if left alone. Easily kept at 3m by regular trimming.

How fast does Better Green grow?
Very fast. Around 30 percent quicker than Leighton Green.

How far apart should I plant Better Green?
One plant per linear metre for an instant hedge.

Final thoughts

If you want a fast tall hedge that is bred for disease resistance and gives you the dependable Leyland Cypress look with better long-term performance, Better Green is the answer. Faster, denser, and easier to keep. Plant in full sun, trim regularly, and the hedge will deliver the wall of green you bought it for.