Species Japanese nutmeg-yew
lime-green leaves with green fruits on brown branches

Japanese nutmeg-yew

Torreya nucifera 'Variegata'

The Japanese nutmeg-yew (Torreya nucifera 'Variegata') is a beautiful, ornamental tree native to China and Japan. It produces yellow-green foliage with creamy-white centers, giving the tree an overall variegated appearance. They can reach heights of 10–20 feet and need full to partial sun. The tree is adaptable and can survive in acidic, alkaline, or clay soils. It is slow-growing and tends to produce a symmetrical pyramidal form. As far as hardiness, the Japanese nutmeg-yew can survive temperatures as low as -20°F, making it a great choice for cold climates. All in all, the Japanese nutmeg-yew is a great addition to any landscape and an excellent choice for cold climates.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Cutting,Grafting Propagation,Air Layering Propagation,Seed Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

6 - 8

Flowers:

Non-flowering Flowers

Sun:

Full sun,part shade

Cones:

Yes

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green,yellow,white

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Moderate

Poisonous To Pets:

Yes

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Thorny:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Water Japanese nutmeg-yew regularly and deeply. Water once per week in the spring and summer, every 10-14 days in the fall, and about once a month in the winter. In especially dry climates, you may need to water more often. Make sure the entire root zone is moist, but not soggy. Allow the soil to dry out between waterings. Too much water can cause root rot. Happy Growing!

sunlight

Japanese nutmeg-yew prefers bright, indirect sunlight with several hours of direct sunlight each day. It should be placed in a warm, sunny location in the garden, or near a south-facing window where it can get at least 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight each day. During the hottest months of summer, it should be moved to a slightly shaded location to avoid scorching of the leaves.

pruning

Japanese nutmeg-yew (Torreya nucifera 'Variegata') is best pruned in late winter or very early spring, before new growth appears. Prune to maintain the desired shape by selectively removing older, weak or crossing branches. Avoid removing too much, as this can result in the plant becoming sparse. In addition, try to maintain the natural form of the plant without drastically altering it.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Torreya nucifera 'Variegata' typically starts flowering in April.

Hardiness Map