Podocarpus acutifolius
needle-leaved totara
A small to medium-sized conifer with dense, prickly foliage that eventually forms a bushy shrub reaching up to 4m high in cultivation. Linear, needle-like leaves 1-2.5cm long are sharply pointed and green to yellow-green; new growth often emerges bronze-green in spring
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Size
Ultimate height
2.5–4 metresTime to ultimate height
20–50 yearsUltimate spread
1.5–2.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green Yellow Bronze | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green Yellow | |||
| Autumn | Green Yellow | |||
| Winter | Green Yellow |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Podocarpaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Bushy
- Genus
Podocarpus can be evergreen shrubs or trees, with spirally arranged, but usually 2-ranked, leaves which may be linear or narrowly lanceolate; plum-shaped fleshy fruits are produced only where male and female trees grow together
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- New Zealand (S Island)
How to grow
Cultivation
Tolerant of a range of soils, but does best in fertile, moist but well-drained, humus-rich soil in a sunny, sheltered position
Propagation
Propagate by seed or semi-hardwood cuttings
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Rock garden
- Patio and container plants
- Low Maintenance
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
Generally disease-free
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