Alternatives to Italian Cypress

'Sky Pencil' Holly at Chanticleer Gardens in Wayne, PA

Those of us who live north of Atlanta, GA (USDA zone 7-b) can not enjoy Italian cypress (Cupressus sempervirens), which are not hardy in most of the Southern Appalachian region (zone 6-a to 7-a). If you are designing a Mediterranean look in your garden, choose among select cultivars of these columnar evergreen shrubs:
Japanese holly (Ilex crenata) 'Sky Pencil'
Upright boxwood (Buxus sempervirens) 'Dee Runk' and 'Pyramidalis'
Red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) 'Taylor', 'Brodie', 'Blue Arrow', 'Idyllwild'

Eastern arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis) 'Techny', 'Pyramidalis'

Common juniper (Juniperus communis) 'Pencil Point'
Alaskan cedar (Chamaecyparis nootkatensis) 'Green Arrow', 'Van den Akker'

Hinoki cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Vokel's Upright')

Arizona cypress (Cupressus glabra) 'Limelight', 'Silver Smoke'

Rocky Mountain juniper (Juniperus scopulorum) 'Skyrocket', 'Moonglow' -- needle foliage breaks down over time in warm 6-b to 7-a summers. Better in zone 6-a and further north.

‘Upright Japanese barberry (Berberis thunbergi) 'Helmond Pillar' – deciduous

Likely, you may be challenged by a lack of availability of several of these fabulous conifers at local garden centers. Often, an internet source becomes your best option for purchasing one or more.