Podocarpus totara 'Aureus'

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totara 'Aureus'

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totara 'Aureus' RHS
totara 'Aureus' RHS

Synonyms

Podocarpus hallii 'Aureus'

Conifers Trees
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An evergreen tree, usually to around 6m high in UK conditions, though may be up to 12m. Peeling, reddish-brown bark and yew-like foliage, with narrow, pointed leaves that are bright yellow-green in full sun

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

8-12 metres

Max Spread

2.5-4 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
10–20 years
Max Spread
2.5-4 metres
Max Height
8-12 metres

Growing Conditions

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

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–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
Columnar upright
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

Tolerates a range of conditions, but prefers humus-rich, moist but well drained soil, in a sunny, sheltered position

Propagation

Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings in late summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Architectural
  • Coastal
  • Hedging and screens

Pruning

No pruning required, though may be trimmed as a hedge

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free