Bassia Scoparia Summer Cypress With Striking Shade of Pale Green
SUMMER CYPRESS
The dense foliage of the summer cypress closely resembles that of bamboo: it is long, grasslike, and has a striking shade of pale green. In the course of the summer, the plant assumes a low, columnar shape and grows to about 24 in in height. This kind of green plant with a distinctive shape may provide a restful break in a border. It is also possible to plant the summer cypresses in a row to provide a low-growing, annual hedge. The plants produce small flowers, but these are totally inconspicuous.
The plant most likely to be available is Bassia scoparia L trichophylla. It is an engrossing plant, which is just as pale a shade of green as the species in spring and summer, but changes color quite suddenly in autumn, when the leaves turn deep red. The plant is therefore now known as the red summer cypress. Sow indoors in March-April or directly out-of-doors from mid-April. The plant has no special requirements.
