Ice Blue Podocarpus

Common Name: Ice Blue Podocarpus
Scientific Name: Podocarpus elongatus ‘Icee Blue’

Description:

• Type: Evergreen shrub or small tree
• Height: Grows 8-15 feet tall, with a spread of 4-6 feet; can be pruned for hedging or trained as a small tree
• Leaves: Narrow, lance-shaped leaves with a striking silvery-blue hue that provides year-round interest
• Flowers: Insignificant; primarily grown for its foliage
• Fruit: Produces small, fleshy, purple-blue seed cones that attract birds
• Growth Speed: Moderate-growing; responds well to trimming

Growing Conditions:

• Sunlight: Thrives in full sun but tolerates partial shade
• Soil: Prefers well-drained, slightly acidic soils; adaptable to sandy, loamy, or clay soils
• Watering: Requires regular watering during establishment; drought-tolerant once established
• Temperature: Hardy in USDA zones 9-11; tolerates heat but requires protection from prolonged freezing
• Humidity: Performs well in dry to moderate humidity; sensitive to excessive moisture in poorly drained soil
• Hardiness: Tolerates drought, heat, and moderate wind, making it ideal for urban and coastal landscapes

Special Features:

• Unique silvery-blue foliage adds a dramatic, modern aesthetic to gardens
• Low-maintenance and versatile, ideal for hedging, screening, or as a specimen plant
• Drought-tolerant and adaptable to various conditions