Other Names:  Snow Totara, Alpine Totara

Description:

This excellent groundcover presents dense, leathery, olive green needles that form a carpet up to 6 feet across; one of the hardiest of the species; visually stunning when massed along the front of shaded borders

Ornamental Features

Mountain Totara has attractive olive green evergreen foliage which emerges chartreuse in spring on a dwarf conifer with a spreading habit of growth. The tiny glossy needles are highly ornamental and remain olive green throughout the winter.

Landscape Attributes

Mountain Totara is a dense multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with a ground-hugging habit of growth. It lends an extremely fine and delicate texture to the landscape composition which should be used to full effect.

This is a relatively low maintenance shrub, and can be pruned at anytime. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Mountain Totara is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Mass Planting
• General Garden Use
• Groundcover

Planting & Growing

Mountain Totara will grow to be about 18 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 6 feet. It tends to fill out right to the ground and therefore doesn't necessarily require facer plants in front. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 30 years.

This shrub performs well in both full sun and full 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 species is not originally from North America.