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Okina Variegated Japanese Yew

Podocarpus macrophyllus 'Okina'

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Okina Variegated Japanese Yew (Podocarpus macrophyllus 'Okina') at Lakeshore Garden Centres

Okina Variegated Japanese Yew

Okina Variegated Japanese Yew

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Okina Variegated Japanese Yew (Podocarpus macrophyllus 'Okina') at Lakeshore Garden Centres

Okina Variegated Japanese Yew foliage

Okina Variegated Japanese Yew foliage

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Height:  6 feet

Spread:  6 feet

Sunlight:  full sun  partial shade 

Hardiness Zone:  8a

Other Names:  Buddhist Pine

Description:

This exceptional, upright shrub produces stunning white new foliage that matures to dark green, with some white variegation; perfect as a privacy screen or sheared hedge, with its dense, long lived foliage; a great landscape accent or container specimen

Ornamental Features

Okina Variegated Japanese Yew has attractive white-variegated dark green foliage with hints of chartreuse which emerges white in spring on a dwarf conifer with an upright spreading habit of growth. The glossy narrow leaves are highly ornamental and remain dark green throughout the winter. It features subtle clusters of creamy white catkins at the ends of the branches in mid spring.

Landscape Attributes

Okina Variegated Japanese Yew is a multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with an upright spreading habit of growth. 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.

Okina Variegated Japanese Yew is recommended for the following landscape applications;

  • Accent
  • Mass Planting
  • Hedges/Screening
  • General Garden Use
  • Container Planting

Planting & Growing

Okina Variegated Japanese Yew will grow to be about 6 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 6 feet. It has a low canopy, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 50 years or more.

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 highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America.

Okina Variegated Japanese Yew makes a fine choice for the outdoor landscape, but it is also well-suited for use in outdoor pots and containers. With its upright habit of growth, it is best suited for use as a 'thriller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination; plant it near the center of the pot, surrounded by smaller plants and those that spill over the edges. It is even sizeable enough that it can be grown alone in a suitable container. Note that when grown in a container, it may not perform exactly as indicated on the tag - this is to be expected. Also note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden. Be aware that in our climate, most plants cannot be expected to survive the winter if left in containers outdoors, and this plant is no exception. Contact our experts for more information on how to protect it over the winter months.

This plant is not reliably hardy in our region, and certain restrictions may apply; contact the store for more information.

 
 
Hardiness Zone Plant Height Minimum Sunlight
Characteristics
Accent  Massing  Screening  Garden  Container 
Applications
Flowers  Foliage Color  Texture 
Ornamental Features