Podocarpus 'Guardsman'

RHS Plant Profile
podocarp 'Guardsman'
Conifers Shrubs

A shrubby conifer to about 2m with short, yew-like needles that are bright, rusty-red in spring, dark green in summer and rusty-bronze in winter. Insignificant greenish flowers may be followed by fleshy, yew-like fruit

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
10–20 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
1.5-2.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
North–facing or South–facing or East–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
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
Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, moist but well-drained soil, sheltered from cold, drying winds

Propagation

Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Low Maintenance
  • Hedging and screens

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free