Botanical name:

Halocarpus bidwillii 

Common name(s):

Bog Pine, Mountain Pine

About:

Halocarpus bidwillii, commonly known as the bog pine or mountain pine, is a unique species of conifer that belongs to the family Podocarpaceae. This fascinating plant is native and endemic to the diverse landscapes of New Zealand. As an evergreen shrub, it thrives in a variety of habitats, particularly favouring both wet bogs and arid, dry stony ground. Typically, it does not grow to more than 3.5 m in height, making it a relatively modest-sized tree in the rich ecosystem it inhabits.

Natural habitat: 

Lowland to subalpine (strictly montane to alpine in the North Island). A shrub or small tree of wetland margins, bogs, poorly draining heathland, frost-flats, river beds and also dry, stony ground and tussock grassland. Halocarpus bidwillii can be locally dominant.

Growing environment:

Frost, Sun & Wind tolerant.

Endemic distribution:

New Zealand’s North, South and Stewart Islands from the Central Volcanic Plateau and Kaingaroa Plain south though patchy in the North Island.

Height: 3.5m

Flowering:  

October – December with no discernible flower/s 

Fruiting:

February – June with fruits comprising a dark dark brown, black-brown to dark purple-brown seed sitting within a fleshy, waxy white cup.

Uses: 

Bird food / Attractant, Bee food & Riparian plantings. 

How to grow:

Easily grown from seed. Can be struck from semi-hardwood and hardwood cuttings - but often fickle. Best grown in an open site in a well drained but moist soil. Dislikes drought and humidity.

** The seeds are perishable and cannot be stored. After collection & cleaning the seed should be sown immediately.