About
An evergreen tree, often multi-stemmed and shrubby when young, with smooth grey bark and yew-like, blue-green foliage. Cream male cones are produced in sprays of five to twenty at various times of year. Green fruit, resembling small plums, ripen to purplish-brown.
About the genus
Prumnopitys are upright, evergreen trees with yew-like foliage. Male and female cones are produced at various times of year, followed by fruit that look like small, upright plums but only have a thin fleshy layer round the seed
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectWest-facing, East-facing, South-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs, Trees
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
HeightHigher than 12 metres
Spread4-8 metres
Time to full heightMore than 50 years
Suggested usesArchitectural
Native toChile to Argentina
Care notes
CultivationGrow in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun, with shelter from cold, drying winds
PruningPruning group 1; clip hedges in early or midsummer
PropagationPropagate by seed sown in containers outdoors in spring, or by semi-ripe cuttings in late summer
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free