25x Needle-Leaved Tōtara - $4.99 each

Podocarpus acutifolius

Common Names: Needle-leaved Tōtara, Mountain Tōtara
Family: Podocarpaceae
Origin: New Zealand
Plant Type: Evergreen Shrub to Small Tree / Hedging Plant

Overview

Podocarpus acutifolius is a distinctive New Zealand native conifer valued for its fine, sharp-tipped foliage, dense growth and exceptional toughness. Naturally found in montane and subalpine environments, it is highly tolerant of cold, frost, wind and exposed conditions.

Its dense branching and excellent response to clipping also make it a particularly useful tough, hardy, low-maintenance native hedge. It can be maintained at around 1–1.5 m high, developing a substantial hedge with a slightly informal, natural character.

Key Features

Foliage: Narrow, stiff, pointed foliage in green to olive and brown-green tones, creating a fine-textured appearance.
Flowers / Fruit: Small, inconspicuous reproductive structures followed by fleshy receptacles and seeds attractive to birds.
Form & Habit: Naturally dense, upright to rounded shrub or small tree that responds well to clipping and shaping.
Growth Rate: Slow to moderate, making it particularly manageable as a low-maintenance hedge.
Cultural & Ecological Value: A hardy New Zealand native providing year-round cover and habitat for native wildlife.

Mature Size

Ideal Growing Conditions

Landscaping & Garden Uses

• Excellent as a hardy, low-maintenance native hedge.
• Ideal for cold, windy, frosty and exposed gardens.
• Excellent for lifestyle blocks, driveways and rural boundaries.
• Suitable for alpine and high-country style landscapes.
• Can be maintained at approximately 1–1.5 m as a dense screening hedge.
• Attractive as a naturally grown specimen shrub or small tree.
• Suitable for revegetation, restoration and mixed native plantings.

Care & Maintenance

Pruning: Responds well to clipping. For hedging, trim periodically to maintain the desired height and density. It does not need to be tightly clipped; allowing some irregular new growth between trims creates an attractive, more natural-looking hedge.
Watering: Water regularly during establishment; hardy and relatively drought tolerant once established.
Feeding: Usually unnecessary, although a slow-release native fertiliser can encourage establishment and growth.
Pests & Diseases: Generally hardy and relatively trouble-free.

Additional Tips

For hedging, formative trimming while plants are young encourages dense growth from low down. Its moderate growth rate, natural density and ability to withstand harsh conditions make Mountain Tōtara an excellent alternative to more conventional hedging plants where toughness and low maintenance are priorities.

Fun Fact / Botanical Insight

The species name acutifolius means “sharp-leaved,” referring to the distinctive narrow, pointed foliage that separates this species from many other New Zealand podocarps.

Why Choose Podocarpus acutifolius?

If you need a tough native hedge for a difficult site, Podocarpus acutifolius is an excellent choice. It combines fine attractive foliage with exceptional frost and wind tolerance, dense evergreen growth and relatively modest maintenance requirements. Left natural it becomes a substantial native shrub or small tree; clipped, it forms a robust and attractive hedge with a distinctly New Zealand character.

Pot Size:

These are our standard size in 7cm square pots.