Pseudopanax ferox
Toothed New Zealand lancewood, Savage lancewood, Toothed lancewood
- Height × spread
- 4.5m × 2m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Mild winter to -5C (RHS H3)
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
A most curious plant which has long upright stalks and sparse, immensely long, slender toothy leaves. It is coloured a bronzed brown with ruddy stripes. The leaves are held rigidly arching out and downwards like a cape. There is nothing else quite like it, but it couldn't be called beautiful. It needs very careful placing as it can disappear against a dark background, or indeed, if anything much is planted behind it. It can look less curious if planted in a group. This is hardy to -5C and, in colder areas it is advised to protect it, perhaps with a fleece. It is worth nurturing such a curious and exotic plant.
- Foliage colour
- Brown
- Stem colour
- Brown
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Column
- Height
- 4.5m
- Spread
- 2m
- Height in 10 years
- 2.5m
- Spread in 10 years
- 0.8m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Exotic garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, tolerates part shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Mild winter to -5C (RHS H3)
- Borders & containers
- Borders and containers
- Use for
- Wall cover
- Walls
- South, West facing
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water in dry periods
Established plants in the ground can cope with 7-10 days of dryness, and shrubs often manage 2 to 3 weeks. Water one section of the garden thoroughly each day rather than a little everywhere. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather.
Spring-Autumn · Planting
Pinch out growing tips
On young plants pinch out foliage tips to encourage a pleasant and bushy growth habit.
Summer
Summer - early · Outdoors
Feed a general fertiliser
Where plants have moderate needs for nutrients, they can simply be given a general feed, fairly early in the growth season so that the growth has plenty of time to harden off before the cold weather.
Give plants a general boost with the application of a general purpose fertiliser which is spread around the root area of the plant, with amounts as directed on the feed label.
Planting & general
Outdoor planting · Planting
Add root growth stimulant to the planting hole
Mycorrhizal fungi helps roots establish quickly, so they absorb water and nutrients more efficiently. It comes as a powder, granule or gel. Add to the planting hole or container, and to the plant's rootball before planting in the hole. For "bareroot" plants use a gel.
Compost · Planting
Loam based compost + grit for repotting
Use a free draining loam based compost rather than one which has been modified to be 'moisture retentive'.
Alternatively prepare a compost using three parts of loam (John Innes no. 2 or 3) to one part of (horticultural) sand or fine (horticultural) grit.