Plant Database

Other Names:  syn. Podocarpus alpinus Blue Gem

Description:

This is a showy dwarf evergreen shrub with noticeable reddish new growth atop the older steel blue needles; changes to a bronzy-purple in late fall; adds a wonderful texture to a border or rock garden

Ornamental Features

Blue Gem Mountain Plum Pine has attractive steel blue evergreen foliage which emerges brick red in spring on a dwarf conifer with a mounded habit of growth. The needles are highly ornamental and turn purple in the fall, which persists throughout the winter.

Landscape Attributes

Blue Gem Mountain Plum Pine is a multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with a mounded form. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other landscape plants with less refined foliage.

This is a relatively low maintenance shrub, and can be pruned at anytime. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Blue Gem Mountain Plum Pine is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Mass Planting
• Rock/Alpine Gardens
• General Garden Use

Planting & Growing

Blue Gem Mountain Plum Pine will grow to be about 12 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 12 inches. It has a low canopy. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 30 years.

This shrub does best in full sun to partial shade. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America.