Podocarpus nubigenus

RHS Plant Profile

Chilean podocarp

Other common names

cloud podocarp

Conifers Shrubs Trees

A slow-growing, bushy, evergreen shrub or small tree with spirally arranged, dark green, narrow and pointed leaves up to around 2cm long. Modified cones comprise fleshy, berry-like scales that are bright red when mature

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

Higher than 12 metres

Max Spread

4-8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: more than 50 years
Max Spread: 4-8 metres
Max Height: Higher than 12 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H5

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Podocarpaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: 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: Chile to Argentina

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

Low Maintenance

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free