Podocarpus totara
totara
A large, evergreen tree, to 30m, conical at first, then spreading, with peeling, reddish-brown bark and dark green, yew-like foliage. Yellow, catkin-like male flowers and green, cone-like female flowers are borne on separate trees. Female trees go on to produce fleshy, pinkish-red, oval fruit in autumn
.jpg)
Size
Ultimate height
Higher than 12 metresTime to ultimate height
more than 50 yearsUltimate spread
Wider than 8 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green Yellow | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green | |||
| Autumn | Green | Pink Red | ||
| Winter | Green |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Podocarpaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Bushy, Spreading branched
- 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
Correct
- Plant range
- New Zealand
How to grow
Cultivation
Tolerant of a range of soils, but does best in fertile, moist but well-drained, humus-rich soil in a sunny, sheltered position
Propagation
Propagate by seed, which may take over a year to germinate, or by semi-ripe cuttings from upright, leading shoots in late summer
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Architectural
- Low Maintenance
Pruning
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.