Podocarpus lawrencei ‘Bluey’ – 3Ltr Pot

Podocarpus lawrencei ‘Bluey’, sometimes known as ‘Blue Gem’, is an attractive, low-growing evergreen conifer prized for its spreading habit and distinctive green-blue foliage. With its naturally informal growth and compact stature, this versatile shrub is ideal for rockeries, borders, gravel gardens, and ground-cover planting, adding year-round colour and texture to a variety of garden settings.

Key Features

• Attractive green foliage with subtle blue tones

• Low-growing conifer with a naturally spreading habit

• Reaches approximately 1 metre in height

• Can spread to more than twice its mature height

• Evergreen foliage provides year-round garden interest

• Ideal for rockeries, borders, and ground-cover planting

• Thrives in full sun and tolerates partial shade

• Can be lightly pruned to maintain a desired shape

Product Description

Podocarpus lawrencei ‘Bluey’ is a distinctive evergreen conifer that brings attractive foliage and a relaxed, spreading form to the garden. Also known as ‘Blue Gem’, this versatile variety features small, linear leaves in shades of mid-green with subtle blue hues, creating a soft, textured appearance that provides interest throughout the year.

Its naturally spreading growth habit makes it particularly useful for covering ground, softening the edges of garden borders, and adding structure to rockeries and gravel gardens. Although it typically reaches around 1 metre in height, it can spread considerably wider, making it an excellent choice for planting areas where horizontal coverage is more desirable than height.

Unlike conifers with a naturally formal shape, Podocarpus ‘Bluey’ develops an informal, individual growth pattern. This gives it a relaxed appearance that works beautifully in naturalistic planting schemes and alongside ornamental grasses, alpine plants, and other evergreen shrubs. Light pruning can be used to encourage a more defined shape if desired.

Relatively quick-growing for a low-growing conifer, ‘Bluey’ can develop into an impressive spreading feature when provided with suitable growing conditions. Its evergreen foliage ensures lasting garden interest, while its adaptability makes it a useful addition to both contemporary and traditional landscapes.

Whether used as ground cover, planted along a border, or incorporated into a rock garden, Podocarpus lawrencei ‘Bluey’ is an excellent choice for gardeners looking for an unusual evergreen with attractive blue-green foliage and a naturally spreading habit.

Specifications

• Plant type: Evergreen conifer

• Botanical name: Podocarpus lawrencei ‘Bluey’

• Alternative name: ‘Blue Gem’

• Pot size: 3 litre pot

• Growth habit: Low-growing, spreading, and informal

• Mature height: Approximately 1 metre

• Mature spread: Potentially more than 2 metres

• Foliage: Small, linear green leaves with blue tones

• Evergreen: Yes

• Position: Full sun to partial shade

• Best for: Ground cover, rockeries, borders, gravel gardens, and mixed shrub planting

Care Tips

• Plant in a sunny position for healthy growth, although partial shade is also tolerated.

• Choose well-drained soil to help maintain healthy roots.

• Water regularly during the first growing season to encourage establishment.

• Once established, water during prolonged dry periods.

• Apply a layer of mulch around the base to help retain soil moisture and suppress weeds.

• Allow sufficient room for the plant to spread as it matures.

• Prune lightly if necessary to maintain the desired shape or control its spread.

• Avoid excessive pruning into older, bare growth.

Podocarpus lawrencei ‘Bluey’ is an excellent choice for adding year-round greenery, subtle blue tones, and natural texture to the garden. Its low-growing, spreading habit makes it particularly effective as ground cover or a feature in rockeries and borders, offering an attractive alternative to more conventional evergreen conifers.

The plant’s growth rate and size will vary depending on planting position & conditions, and foliage colour and interest may vary from photo upon delivery, dependent on season.

The plant’s growth rate and size will vary depending on planting position & conditions. Bloom, foliage and interest may vary from photo upon delivery, dependant on season.

Delivery Note: Please note that unfortunately we are currently unable to deliver plants to Northern Ireland.