Plant types

Plant styles

Planting conditions

Seasonal interest

Nurseries & Gardens

Photo by Cyril Thomas

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Polylepis australis

Also Known As

Queñoa
Tabaquillo

Plant type

tree

size

H: 15'-25'
W: 15'-25'

planting zones

8a-10b

Polylepis australis plant details

Polylepis australis is a fast-growing broadleaf evergreen tree with blue and green foliage. In spring and summer green and insignificant flowers flowers emerge Flowers are not showy, but nurture a healthy ecosystem as wildlife habitat. Attracts birds. Grows well with sun - mostly shade and regular water. Does well in average and well-drained soil.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Polylepis australis

Plant type: tree
Plant family: rosaceae
Foliage: evergreen blue and green
Mature size: 15 FT - 25 FT - wide, 15 FT - 25 FT - tall
Flowers: green and insignificant flowers blooms in spring and summer
Uses: distinctive bark, fall color, peeling bark, sculptural, small tree, tropical-looking, year round interest

GROWING CONDITIONS for Polylepis australis

USDA Zones: 8a - 10b
Sun exposure: sun - mostly shade
Watering frequency: regular

Soil needs: average and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Love trees with character? Love peely, flaky bark? Polylepis has beautiful exfoliating cinnamon-colored bark that puts Acer griseus (aka “Paperbark Maple”) to shame. Polylepis is actually in the Rose family (!) but grows into a large shrub or small tree 25’ tall & wide. With pruning it can be kept smaller though. Fast growing, with an open & sculptural form of twisting, textural branches. The delicate foliage is very Rosa rugosa-esque with divided, ridged leaves that are a lovely blue-green color. Evergreen, but in Fall some of the leaves develop a bright red & yellow color that is beautiful with the remaining blue leaves & reddish bark. The tiny green flowers in late Spring are inconspicuous but the resulting seeds are much loved by birds. Native to mountainous areas of South America, this is not the best choice for hot, humid locations but is ideal for the West Coast.