Pseudopanax Laetus ^Sale

Pseudopanax laetus

Shiny Five-Finger / Glossy Lancewood

Description:
Pseudopanax laetus is a lush, attractive New Zealand native shrub or small tree, known for its large, glossy green, leathery leaves divided into 3 to 5 broad leaflets. With its tropical look and naturally upright, tidy form, it’s a beautiful feature plant that brings a sense of lushness and structure to native and contemporary gardens alike.

📏 Size:

• Height: 3 – 5 metres
• Width: 2 – 3 metres

🌿 Features:

• Large, bold, glossy green foliage with a distinctive five-finger shape
• Upright, rounded growth habit
• Evergreen year-round interest
• Small, greenish flowers in summer followed by black berries in autumn (attractive to birds)
• Naturally tidy and low maintenance

🌞 Growing Conditions:

• Light: Prefers partial shade to full sun (best foliage in dappled light)
• Soil: Moist, free-draining soil enriched with organic matter
• Shelter: Likes a warm, sheltered site, protected from strong or salty winds
• Climate: Well-suited to Auckland’s climate, handling humidity and rainfall well
• Maintenance: Minimal – occasional pruning to shape or remove older growth

🏡 Uses:

Perfect for sheltered native plantings, lush woodland borders, urban gardens, or as a tropical-style feature shrub. Works beautifully alongside ferns, cordylines, and other bold foliage natives.

⚠️ Planting Note:

Unlike the tougher Pseudopanax crassifolius, P. laetus needs protection from cold winds and frost when young. It thrives when planted in microclimates, such as beside walls, fences, or in courtyards.