This variable shrub has a prostrate to upright bushy habit with spreading greyish branches that root at the nodes. It has small oblong pointed bronze-green leaves and the small male and female flowers appear on different plants during spring. 

Hardiness zones 8 to 9 

Podocarpus nivalis is naturally found in the North and South Islands of New Zealand growing in forest margins and sub-alpine scrub to an altitude of 1670m (5,000ft).

It prefers an open sunny position but will tolerate some shade where it will form a more open habit. It grows in well drained fertile moist soils but will tolerate drier conditions and is drought and frost tolerant. 

Mountain Totara is grown for its spreading habit and is planted in gardens as a ground cover or as a low border. It is also used in roof gardens or patio pots establishing in 3 to 5 years. It is suitable for coastal and mountain regions and has a variable growth habit. Upright forms are used as a screen plant and prostrate forms are grown in rockeries. ID 2751

Note:
This plant is not commonly cultivated outside its native environment and may be difficult to obtained requiring a specialist nursery.

Podocarpus (pod-o-KAR-pus) nivalis (NIV-a-lis)  

Podocarpaceae (POD-oh-kar-PAY-see-ee)
Podocarps