About

Phyllocladus trichomanoides, the celery pine of New Zealand, is an upright, conical, evergreen tree ultimately reaching 12 m with smooth, grey-black bark and branches in whorls. The foliage consists of 30 cm-long phylloclades � flattened stems that replace true leaves � reddish-brown when young then mid-green. In spring it produces spherical, dark-blue or black female cones and catkin-like male cones starting purple and ripening to red then yellow. A distinctive and ornamental conifer for a sheltered, sunny garden.

About the genus

Phyllocladus, the celery pines, are a small genus of evergreen conifer trees or shrubs from New Zealand, Tasmania and the southern hemisphere with two types of leaf � scale-like and flattened, celery-like phylloclades � and pinkish-red cones in early spring.

Growing conditions

SunlightFull sun
Soil typeLoam
Soil pHNeutral, Acid, Alkaline
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH2

Plant details

Plant typeTrees, Conifers
HabitBushy, Columnar upright, Spreading branched
FoliageEvergreen
Height4-8 metres
Spread4-8 metres
Time to full height20-50 years
Suggested usesSpecimen planting, large borders, parkland settings.
Native toNew Zealand

Care notes

CultivationGrow under glass in peat-free, loam-based compost with added leaf mould, and keep frost-free
PruningPruning group 1
PropagationPropagate by seed in spring or by semi-ripe cuttings in summer
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free