10xMountain Tōtara Hedge - $5.99 each
Podocarpus acutifolius – Mountain Tōtara Hedge
Common Names: Mountain Tōtara Hedge, Needle-leaved Tōtara
Family: Podocarpaceae
Origin: New Zealand
Plant Type: Evergreen Native Hedge
Overview
Podocarpus acutifolius makes an exceptionally tough, hardy and low-maintenance native hedge, particularly suited to cold, windy and exposed New Zealand conditions. Its naturally dense branching and fine, pointed foliage clip well to produce a substantial evergreen hedge while still retaining a softer, more natural appearance than highly formal hedging varieties.
Ideally maintained at around 1–1.5 m high, Mountain Tōtara is an excellent choice for rural properties, lifestyle blocks, driveways, boundaries and alpine or high-country gardens where durability and year-round structure are important.
Key Features
Foliage: Fine, narrow foliage in attractive green, olive and brown-green tones, producing a dense, finely textured hedge.
Hedging Habit: Naturally bushy and well branched, responding well to regular clipping and shaping.
Form & Habit: Forms a substantial evergreen hedge with a slightly informal, natural character.
Growth Rate: Slow to moderate, reducing the amount of trimming required once the hedge reaches its desired size.
Hardiness: Exceptionally tolerant of frost, cold, wind and exposed conditions.
Recommended Hedge Spacing
Plant spacing will depend on the ultimate height and density you want from the finished hedge. For a lower, compact hedge around 1 m high, plant approximately 50–60 cm apart to encourage the plants to knit together quickly and create a dense screen from ground level. For a medium hedge around 1–1.5 m high, approximately 60–80 cm apart is a good general spacing. If the intention is to develop a taller, broader hedge, plants can be spaced around 80 cm–1 m apart, allowing each plant more room to develop its natural framework before growing together.
As a general rule, the lower and tighter you want the finished hedge, the closer the initial planting should be; taller, more informal hedges can be planted further apart.
| Desired Hedge Height | Example Plant Spacing | Approx. Finished Length – 10 Plants |
|---|---|---|
| Around 1 m | 50–60 cm apart | 5–6 m |
| Around 1–1.5 m | 60–80 cm apart | 6–8 m |
| 1.5 m+ / taller informal hedge | 80 cm–1 m apart | 8–10 m |
Please note: These spacings are provided as a general guide only. Ideal spacing can vary depending on the desired density and finished dimensions of the hedge, growing conditions, maintenance and how quickly you want the plants to knit together.
Mature Size
| Attribute | Size |
|---|---|
| Hedge Height | 1–1.5 m |
| Hedge Width | Approximately 1 m, depending on clipping |
| Unclipped Height | 3–6 m |
| Form | Dense, clipped evergreen hedge |
Ideal Growing Conditions
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Light | Full sun to part shade |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerant once established |
| Soil | Well-drained soils, including rocky and relatively infertile sites |
| pH Range | Acid to neutral |
| Frost Tolerance | Excellent; highly tolerant of frost, cold and snow |
Landscaping & Garden Uses
- Excellent low-maintenance native hedge.
- Ideal for lifestyle blocks, rural properties and driveway boundaries.
- Particularly suitable for cold, frosty, windy and exposed locations.
- Excellent for alpine and high-country landscapes.
- Provides year-round screening and structure.
- Works particularly well where a slightly informal, natural-looking hedge is preferred.
- A useful native alternative to conventional exotic hedging plants.
Care & Maintenance
Pruning: Clip while young to encourage dense branching from low down. Once established at the desired height, periodic trimming is generally sufficient to maintain a strong hedge.
Watering: Water regularly during establishment. Once established, plants are hardy and relatively drought tolerant.
Feeding: Generally undemanding; a slow-release native fertiliser can be used during establishment if required.
Pests & Diseases: Generally hardy and relatively trouble-free.
Additional Tips
For the best natural effect, Mountain Tōtara does not need to be clipped perfectly smooth. Clip the hedge to its basic shape and allow a little fresh growth to develop between trims. This produces a defined, approximately square hedge with subtle irregularities and a softer, more natural appearance.
Fun Fact / Botanical Insight
The species name acutifolius means “sharp-leaved”, referring to the distinctive narrow, pointed foliage. This fine foliage is one of the characteristics that gives a clipped Mountain Tōtara hedge its attractive texture.
Why Choose a Mountain Tōtara Hedge?
Mountain Tōtara is an excellent choice when the priority is a hardy, attractive native hedge without excessive maintenance. It combines dense evergreen growth with excellent tolerance of frost, wind, cold and difficult conditions. Its relatively restrained growth also means that, once established at the desired size, it does not require the constant clipping associated with many faster-growing hedge plants.
Pot Size:
These are our standard size in 7cm square pots.
Pot Size:
Standard Pot = 7cm Square
Large Pot = 9cm Square
Extra Large Pot = 1.5L Round
Use this guide to see how many plants of your selected pot size fit into a half or full carton.
Standard Pot = 25 plants per Carton
Large Pot= 10 plants per Carton
Extra Large Pot = 5 plants per Carton
Urban- $16.55 per Carton Rural- $23.85 per Carton
Standard Pot = 50 plants per Carton
Large Pot= 25 plants per Carton
Extra Large Pot = 10 plants per Carton
Urban- $16.55 per Carton Rural- $23.85 per Carton
Product Size:
The photo next to the ruler shows an example of the plant for sale (cm's) to give an indication of the size. Please note that the photo is for reference only; the size and appearance of the plant may vary.
Please Note:
Shipping charge applies. Available for immediate dispatch only, while stocks last.
