Lepidothamnus intermedius
Yellow Silver Pine is a small to medium-sized evergreen conifer reaching 3-10 meters tall, distinguished by its golden-yellow new growth and silvery mature foliage. This distinctive species has tiny scale-like leaves arranged spirally on cord-like branches, creating an unusual texture among New Zealand conifers. Endemic to both North and South Islands, it thrives in montane environments and wet, peaty soils where its specialized root system can access consistent moisture. An excellent choice for cool-climate gardens seeking unique texture among New Zealand's native trees
Image credit: Yellow Silver Pine (Lepidothamnus intermedius). Wikipedia
| Scientific Name | Lepidothamnus intermedius |
|---|---|
| Height | 3-10 meters |
| Spread | 2-6 meters |
| Water Needs | Moderate to high |
| Light | Full sun to partial shade |
| Frost Tolerance | Very high (hardy to -15°C) |
| Salt Tolerance | Low |
| Growth Rate | Slow |
| Lifespan | 100-200 years |
Yellow Silver Pine thrives in cool, moist montane climates from 300-1200 meters elevation. It requires consistent moisture and cool temperatures, performing best in areas with high rainfall and protection from extreme heat. This species is particularly well-suited to peaty, boggy conditions and cooler regions of New Zealand.
| City | Climate Suitability |
|---|---|
| Whangārei | Challenging |
| Auckland | Challenging |
| Hamilton | Moderate |
| Tauranga | Challenging |
| Rotorua | Ideal |
| Gisborne | Moderate |
| New Plymouth | Ideal |
| Napier | Moderate |
| Whanganui | Ideal |
| Palmerston North | Ideal |
| Wellington | Ideal |
| Nelson | Ideal |
| Christchurch | Ideal |
| Dunedin | Ideal |
| Invercargill | Ideal |
Yellow Silver Pine thrives in consistently moist, peaty soils:
Yellow Silver Pine tolerates various light conditions:
Yellow Silver Pine has high water requirements throughout its life:
This versatile native plant offers multiple practical applications in landscaping and garden design, from providing ground cover and erosion control to creating habitat for native wildlife. The plant's natural characteristics make it valuable for restoration projects and sustainable gardening practices.
Yellow Silver Pine requires minimal pruning due to its naturally compact habit:
Use small, precise pruning tools for delicate work. The very slow growth means any pruning mistakes take many years to correct, so prune only when essential.
Plant Yellow Silver Pine during cool, moist periods in autumn or spring. This species is particularly sensitive during establishment and requires optimal conditions for successful transplanting.
Choose a site with:
Maintain constant soil moisture throughout establishment and beyond. Yellow Silver Pine cannot survive even brief drought periods and requires more intensive water management than most conifers.
Yellow Silver Pine propagation requires specific moisture conditions:
Seedlings grow very slowly and require consistent moisture management for several years.
Vegetative propagation has very limited success:
Yellow Silver Pine represents one of New Zealand's most specialized wetland conifers, with a unique ecological niche and distinctive appearance:
Today, Yellow Silver Pine is prized by specialist gardeners for its unique golden new growth and distinctive texture. It's particularly valued for bog gardens and wetland plantings where its specific moisture requirements can be met consistently.
Yellow Silver Pine's main requirement is consistent moisture management. Most problems arise from inadequate water rather than pest or disease issues.
Create a stunning bog garden feature by combining Yellow Silver Pine with native sedges, mosses, and moisture-loving ferns. The golden spring growth provides a brilliant color accent against the various greens, while the specialized growing conditions create a unique microhabitat that attracts specialized insects and provides year-round interest.
Learn more about the cultural significance of native trees in Cultural Plants.
This section provides important information about plant care and cultivation practices. Understanding these aspects helps ensure successful growth and development in garden conditions.
This section provides important information about plant care and cultivation practices. Understanding these aspects helps ensure successful growth and development in garden conditions.
This section provides important information about plant care and cultivation practices. Understanding these aspects helps ensure successful growth and development in garden conditions.
This section provides important information about plant care and cultivation practices. Understanding these aspects helps ensure successful growth and development in garden conditions.
Yellow silver pine plays important ecological roles in New Zealand's mountain forest ecosystems, where its longevity and distinctive growth form contribute to forest stability and structural diversity. The tree provides habitat for specialized montane wildlife and supports diverse communities of epiphytes and forest organisms adapted to mountain conditions. Its extremely slow growth and ancient genetic lineage make it valuable for understanding long-term forest dynamics and the stability of mountain forest ecosystems.
This section provides important information about plant care and cultivation practices. Understanding these aspects helps ensure successful growth and development in garden conditions.
This section provides important information about plant care and cultivation practices. Understanding these aspects helps ensure successful growth and development in garden conditions.
Yellow silver pine faces conservation challenges from its naturally slow growth, specific habitat requirements, and vulnerability to browsing by introduced mammals that can prevent regeneration. The species' mountain forest habitat faces ongoing pressures from climate change and potential shifts in suitable growing conditions. Conservation efforts focus on protecting montane forest habitats, controlling mammal pests, maintaining old-growth forest conditions, and monitoring environmental changes that could affect this ancient conifer and its specialized mountain forest ecosystem.
This plant has cultural associations in Aotearoa and is valued in restoration and gardens for ecological services; use eco‑sourced stock near natural areas.
Yellow silver pine was recognized by Māori as one of the distinctive mountain conifers, valued for its durable timber and its role in indicating specific montane forest conditions in traditional ecological knowledge. The tree's slow growth and distinctive appearance made it recognizable among mountain forest species, while its presence indicated stable, long-established forest environments. The species continues to hold cultural interest as one of New Zealand's ancient native conifers and represents the remarkable diversity of the country's coniferous forest heritage.
This section provides important information about plant care and cultivation practices. Understanding these aspects helps ensure successful growth and development in garden conditions.
This section provides important information about plant care and cultivation practices. Understanding these aspects helps ensure successful growth and development in garden conditions.
