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Nestegis lanceolata

white mare

A slow-growing evergreen tree, to 15m high in its native environment but usually smaller in cultivation, and often multi-stemmed. It has pale, corky bark and narrowly lance-shaped, leathery dark green leaves. Clusters of small, inconspicuous flowers are produced in the leaf axils or directly from the branches in late spring, followed by green berries that slowly ripen to orange or red

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Size
Ultimate height
Higher than 12 metres
Time to ultimate height
20–50 years
Ultimate spread
Wider than 8 metres
Growing conditions
Clay
Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green White Green
Summer Green
Autumn Green Red Orange
Winter Green
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H3
Botanical details
Family
Oleaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Spreading branched
Genus

A genus of five species of evergreen trees or shrubs, three of which are native to New Zealand, one to Hawaii and the other to New Zealand and Norfolk Island. They have solid, strong bark and bright green foliage, sometimes narrow and olive-leaf like, and small white flowers followed by red fruit containing a single seed

Name status

Correct

How to grow

Cultivation

Thrives in deep, rich, well-drained soil. A handsome specimen tree for warmer regions

Propagation

Propagate by seed or by semi-ripe or hardwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Architectural
  • Low Maintenance
Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus

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