Northwest Blooms · Shrubs
Podocarpus lawrencei 'Blue Gem'
Blue Gem Mountain Plum Pine
- Family
- Podocarpaceae
- Height
- 3 to 5 feet
- Width
- 5 to 8 feet
- Flower color
- Not significant
- Foliage color
- Striking blue-green, needle-like foliage
- Bloom time
- N/A (primarily valued for its foliage)
- Light
- Prefers full sun to partial shade
- Water
- Moderate
- Maintenance
- Low; can be pruned to maintain shape or used as a low hedge
- Growing zone
- USDA zones 8 to 11
- Wildlife
- Provides shelter for wildlife
About this plant
Podocarpus lawrencei 'Blue Gem' is a compact, evergreen shrub admired for its dense, finely textured foliage in shades of blue-green. The plant maintains year-round color, with new growth often emerging with a brighter or more vibrant hue, adding subtle seasonal interest. While it does not produce prominent flowers, it occasionally forms small, inconspicuous cones typical of coniferous shrubs.
Native to the alpine regions of Australia, Podocarpus lawrencei 'Blue Gem' is a cultivar selected for its unique foliage color and tidy growth habit. Its resilience and adaptability make it an excellent choice for rock gardens, low hedges, or container planting, where it adds a touch of understated elegance and texture to the landscape.
Works well in
Sun Gardens · Rock Gardens · Containers · Hedging & Privacy
Companion plants
Phlox · Pittosporum · Hardy mums · Feather reed grass · Cranesbill · Butterfly bush
Design tip
Cool blue-green foliage can act as a visual bridge between deep green evergreens and plants with silver or gray tones. ‘Blue Gem’s’ dense, fine texture strengthens that transition, while brighter new growth introduces a subtle seasonal highlight within evergreen framework.
Where to see it
This plant can be seen at the Bellevue Botanical Garden.
