Lancewood

Sun

Full sun to partial shade; choose a sheltered position away from cold, drying winds.

Water

Water regularly while establishing, then during prolonged dry spells. Keep container compost lightly moist rather than saturated.

Soil

Well-drained soil with some organic matter; tolerates a range of soil textures and pH levels but dislikes persistent waterlogging.

Height

20-40 ft (6-12 m)

Spread

8-15 ft (2.4-4.5 m), with a much narrower outline while young

Flowers

Small greenish flowers in branched clusters in late spring and summer, mainly on mature plants.

Foliage

Evergreen. Juvenile leaves are long, narrow, leathery and downward-pointing, often bronze-green with a pale midrib and toothed edges. Adult leaves are shorter, broader and greener, held around a branching crown.

Growth

Slow to moderate; the narrow juvenile stage can last many years.

Care needed

Low

• Pollinators
• Wildlife
• Low allergen

Northern hemisphere months. In Australia, shift them by six.

Difficulty

Moderate

Toughness

Fairly tough

Pick your zone, country, light and whether you have pets.

1. Planting day

   7 ft (2 m)

2. After 1 year

   7 ft (2.3 m)

3. After 2 years

   8 ft (2.5 m)

4. After 3 years

   9 ft (2.8 m)

5. After 5 years

   11 ft (3.3 m)

About 26 years to full size.

From a typical nursery size, at an average rate for this kind of plant. A rule of thumb, not a forecast.

Cats and dogs

Safe

Growth rate

Slow

• Plant in spring in cooler districts, giving the roots time to establish before winter.
• Water deeply during dry weather for the first two growing seasons.
• Apply an organic mulch over the root area, keeping it clear of the trunk.
• Give container plants a light application of controlled-release fertiliser in spring; avoid heavy feeding.
• Protect young plants from hard frost and cold winds; move pots under frost-free cover where winters exceed its tolerance.

Pruning. Prune only to remove dead, damaged or rubbing growth in late spring, after severe frost has passed. Avoid cutting back the main leader of a young plant, as this spoils its characteristic upright form.

Spring

Plant or repot once severe frosts have passed, using freely draining soil or compost.

Late spring

Remove frost-damaged or dead growth and check any supporting ties.

Summer

Water young trees during dry spells and check pots frequently for drying.

Autumn

Refresh mulch without burying the trunk, and prepare winter shelter for container plants.

Winter

Protect young plants during sharp freezes and keep sheltered container plants only lightly moist.

• Use a young specimen as a narrow vertical accent in a courtyard, allowing room for its eventual crown.
• Set against a plain wall or fence to show the unusual downward-pointing leaves.
• Combine with ferns, sedges and broad-leaved shrubs for contrasting leaf shapes.
• Grow in a large, stable container as an architectural feature where winter shelter is available.
• Use in sheltered coastal gardens beyond the strongest salt-laden winds.

Garden styles it suits: Architectural minimal, Contemporary minimal, Modern courtyard, Woodland, Coastal and Pacific Northwest woodland.

Plant it with: New Zealand flax, New Zealand wind grass, Japanese forest grass, Soft shield fern, Pittosporum and Fatsia.

Wildlife: Flowers attract visiting insects, and ripe dark fruits are eaten by birds. Male and female flowers are usually borne on separate trees, so fruiting generally requires both sexes nearby.

• Frost and cold-wind damage can blacken leaves or kill the growing tip; choose a sheltered site, protect young plants and wait until late spring before removing damaged growth.
• Waterlogged soil can cause root decline; improve drainage or plant in a raised position, and never leave pots standing in water.
• Scale insects may settle on stems and leaves, especially under cover; inspect regularly and treat infestations with a suitable horticultural oil according to its label.
• Dry root balls cause leaf browning and shedding, particularly in pots; soak thoroughly, let excess water drain and check moisture below the surface.

Not known to be toxic to people, cats, dogs or horses, although species-specific poisoning information is limited and no part should be treated as food. The stiff, toothed juvenile leaves can scratch skin or catch at eye level; keep them clear of narrow paths and play areas.

• Fierce lancewood (Pseudopanax ferox)

  Its juvenile leaves usually have much larger, irregular, hooked teeth and a more strongly mottled brown or grey-green appearance.

• Houpara (Pseudopanax lessonii)

  Leaves are usually divided into several broad leaflets rather than forming the long, single, downward-pointing blades of juvenile lancewood.

• Cabbage tree (Cordyline australis)

  Its strap-shaped leaves grow in dense terminal tufts and lack the toothed edges and distinct midrib of juvenile lancewood.

Pseudopanax means 'false Panax', referring to its resemblance to that related genus, while crassifolius means 'thick-leaved' and lancewood describes the spear-like juvenile leaves.

Propagation. Usually grown from seed collected from ripe fruit. Remove the fleshy coating, sow fresh seed in freely draining seed compost and keep it moist; germination can be slow and uneven.

Accepted botanical name

Pseudopanax crassifolius

Native range

New Zealand North and New Zealand South.

Measured

Average height 470 cm.

Sources: GBIF (CC BY 4.0) and Trefle (CC BY 4.0). The care and design notes are LandscapeGPT's own.