Podocarpus nivalis

Common Name: Snow Totara

Description:
Podocarpus nivalis, commonly known as Snow Totara, is a hardy, slow-growing evergreen conifer native to New Zealand. This low-spreading shrub features dense, small, leathery green leaves that can take on bronze or reddish tones in colder months. With its naturally compact, mounding growth, it is an excellent choice for ground cover, rock gardens, and low hedging. Snow Totara thrives in well-drained soils and prefers full sun to part shade, tolerating frost, wind, and dry conditions once established. Its resilience and low-maintenance nature make it well-suited to Melbourne’s climate, providing year-round structure and colour.

Form:

• Shrub - Small
• Ground Cover

Mature Size:

• Height: 50 cm – 1.5 m
• Width: 1.5–3 m

Aspect:

• Full Sun
• Part Shade

Flowering:

• Does not flower (produces small seed cones)

Flower Colour:

• N/A

Key Attributes:

• Suitable for Hedging
• Suitable for Ground Cover
• Drought Tolerant (once established)
• Cold Hardy
• Wind Tolerant
• Low Maintenance

Toxicity:

• Non-toxic to humans
• Non-toxic to pets

Companion Plants:

• Phormium tenax (New Zealand Flax)
• Corokia cotoneaster (Wire Netting Bush)
• Olearia paniculata (Golden Akeake)
• Leptospermum scoparium (Manuka)
• Pittosporum tenuifolium (Kohuhu)