About
Corynocarpus laevigatus typically grows to a height of 10-15 meters in its natural habitat, but tends to take on a shrubbier form when cultivated. The leaves are elliptical, leathery, and dark green, reaching lengths of up to 20 centimeters. Mature specimens bear small, greenish-yellow or white flowers that appear in upright, branched clusters from spring through summer. These are succeeded by fleshy, oval-shaped fruits that turn orange as they ripen in the autumn.
About the genus
Corynocarpus comprises five species of flowering shrubs and trees found in New Guinea, Australia, New Zealand, New Caledonia, and Vanuatu. The leaves are dense, smooth, and glossy, displaying either solid green or variegated patterns akin to laurel. Certain species bear decorative orange fruits during the autumn season.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H2
Plant details
- Plant type
- Trees
- Habit
- Spreading branched, Bushy
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- Higher than 12 metres
- Spread
- 4-8 metres
- Time to full height
- 10-20 years
- Suggested uses
- Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, Sub-tropical
- Toxicity
- TOXIC if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets: TOXIC if eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in sun or part shade. Suited to frost-free areas only. Grow in frost-free greenhouse or conservatory in a container of peat-free, loam-based potting compost in full or bright filtered light with good ventilation
- Pruning
- Pruning group 1; plants under glass may need restrictive pruning
- Propagation
- Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings with bottom heat in summer or propagate by seed in spring
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to scale insects and Glasshouse red spider mite
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free