About
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.
About the 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
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectNorth-facing, South-facing, East-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeConifers, Shrubs
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height1.5-2.5 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height10-20 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden
Care notes
CultivationGrow in fertile, moist but well-drained soil, sheltered from cold, drying winds
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by semi-hardwood cuttings
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free