Pseudopanax lessonii ‘Cyril Watson’ – Cyril Watson Five Finger
Pseudopanax lessonii ‘Cyril Watson’ – Cyril Watson Five Finger
Large glossy evergreen foliage provides strong tropical architectural structure and dense screening performance.
Regular price
$210.00
Sale price
$210.00
Regular price
Tax included.
Shipping calculated at checkout.
Pot size
Available batches
- Current height guide
- Please enquire
- Pot size
- 30cm/33cm
Approximate only. Minimum height important? Confirm with us.
Height guide & disclaimer
Height guide disclaimer: Height ranges are approximate only. As living products, plant heights naturally vary between individual plants, batches, and seasons. No guarantee is given that supplied plants will fall within the stated range. If minimum heights are required, you must confirm current batch heights with Evergreen Trees Direct prior to purchase. Variation in height is normal and is not grounds for return, refund, replacement, or compensation.
Quantity
Couldn't load pickup availability
About this tree
About this tree
- Mature height
- 3m to 5m
- Mature width
- 2m to 4m
Pseudopanax lessonii 'Cyril Watson' is a dense evergreen shrub from New Zealand, a garden selection of the coastal houpara. Its leaves are palmately compound, with three to five thick glossy leaflets fanning out from a single stalk, which is where the five finger name comes from. Growth is upright and closely branched from the base.
Full sun to part shade and free draining soil suit it. Salt wind, exposed coastal sites and confined urban courtyards are all handled well, and drought tolerance is good once established. Light frost is tolerated in a sheltered spot, though this is not a plant for hard inland frosts. Temperate, coastal and subtropical gardens suit it best.
The bold leaf shape carries contemporary and subtropical planting schemes, and the dense habit makes it useful for low screening, courtyard corners and large pots. It sits well against rendered walls, timber and stone. In coastal gardens where wind shreds softer foliage, it holds its condition through the whole year.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Cyril Watson Five Finger
What is Pseudopanax lessonii 'Cyril Watson'?
It is an evergreen shrub or small tree in the Araliaceae family, selected from the New Zealand coastal species Pseudopanax lessonii. The glossy leathery leaves are divided into three to five leaflets and give the plant its architectural, almost tropical look. It is a New Zealand native rather than an Australian one, and it is grown here for foliage and form.
How big does Cyril Watson Five Finger grow?
Expect around 2 to 3 metres tall and 1.5 to 2 metres wide over time, growing at roughly 30 to 60 centimetres a year. It stays dense from the base rather than becoming leggy, so it holds a shrub form for many years. Pruning keeps it lower and tighter where a compact hedge or screen is wanted.
Is it suitable for coastal positions?
It is one of the better plants for the job. The species grows naturally on New Zealand coastal headlands, and the thick leathery leaflets shrug off salt spray and constant wind that would burn softer foliage. Front line beachside gardens, exposed balconies and windy coastal courtyards all suit it, provided the soil drains freely.
Is it frost tolerant?
Only to a point. It takes light frost once established, particularly in a sheltered position with overhead protection, but foliage burns in heavier or repeated frosts and young plants are the most vulnerable. Treat it as a plant for mild coastal and temperate gardens, not for the tablelands or cold inland districts.
Can it grow in pots?
Yes, and it is a natural container plant. Use a large pot of 50 litres or more with a free draining mix, and keep it out of scorching reflected heat. The strong leaf shape reads well in a courtyard or entry, and container growing also gives you the option of moving it under cover through a cold snap.
Is it evergreen?
Evergreen, with foliage held year round and no seasonal drop to clean up. Small green flowers appear in spring and summer, followed by dark fruit on female plants, though neither is showy and neither is the reason to grow it. The value is in the glossy leaves and the dense structure they create through every season.
How do I prune and care for it?
Prune in spring or early summer, tipping the branches to thicken growth or cutting back harder to hold a size. It responds well to shaping and reshoots readily from older wood. Water through the first two summers, mulch, and feed once a year with a general fertiliser. Avoid waterlogged soil, which is the most common cause of failure.
Mature height & width
Mature height & width
- Mature height
- 3m to 5m
- Mature width
- 2m to 4m
Pot sizes & dimensions
Pot sizes & dimensions
| Pot / bag size | Width | Depth |
|---|---|---|
| 30cm Pot | 33cm | 30cm |
| 40cm/45L Pot | 44cm | 41.5cm |
| 50cm Pot / 70L Pot | 55cm | 41.8cm |
| 100L Bag | 50.6cm | 52.8cm |
| 150L Bag | 66cm | 55cm |
| 200L Bag | 71.5cm | 60.5cm |
| 300L Bag | 88cm | 63.8cm |
| 400L Bag | 99cm | 66cm |
| 500L Bag | 122cm | 66cm |
| 750L Bag | 134cm | 69cm |
| 1000L Bag | 146.3cm | 71.5cm |
| 2000L Bag | 176cm | 82.5cm |
General planting reference from our existing size guide. Actual containers can vary by supplier and batch; confirm exact dimensions if required.
Delivery & pickup
Delivery & pickup
Trade enquiries
Trade enquiries
We supply advanced trees to landscapers, developers, architects, and councils Australia-wide. Trade clients receive fast quotes, expert advice, and access to premium stock with reliable freight.
Freight estimate
Based on the items currently in your cart.
Final delivery cost is confirmed at checkout using your full address.
Not sure how many trees you need?
Plan your hedge
Enter the length of your boundary, then choose how closely you want to plant.
Enter your boundary length to see how many trees you need.
Measure only the boundary you intend to plant—exclude gates and gaps. Spacing is centre to centre. Quantities are rounded up for one row, allowing roughly half the spacing at each end. Site conditions and pruning affect the final hedge.
About Pseudopanax lessonii ‘Cyril Watson’
Pseudopanax lessonii 'Cyril Watson' is a dense evergreen shrub from New Zealand, a garden selection of the coastal houpara. Its leaves are palmately compound, with three to five thick glossy leaflets fanning out from a single stalk, which is where the five finger name comes from. Growth is upright and closely branched from the base.
Full sun to part shade and free draining soil suit it. Salt wind, exposed coastal sites and confined urban courtyards are all handled well, and drought tolerance is good once established. Light frost is tolerated in a sheltered spot, though this is not a plant for hard inland frosts. Temperate, coastal and subtropical gardens suit it best.
The bold leaf shape carries contemporary and subtropical planting schemes, and the dense habit makes it useful for low screening, courtyard corners and large pots. It sits well against rendered walls, timber and stone. In coastal gardens where wind shreds softer foliage, it holds its condition through the whole year.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Cyril Watson Five Finger
What is Pseudopanax lessonii 'Cyril Watson'?
It is an evergreen shrub or small tree in the Araliaceae family, selected from the New Zealand coastal species Pseudopanax lessonii. The glossy leathery leaves are divided into three to five leaflets and give the plant its architectural, almost tropical look. It is a New Zealand native rather than an Australian one, and it is grown here for foliage and form.
How big does Cyril Watson Five Finger grow?
Expect around 2 to 3 metres tall and 1.5 to 2 metres wide over time, growing at roughly 30 to 60 centimetres a year. It stays dense from the base rather than becoming leggy, so it holds a shrub form for many years. Pruning keeps it lower and tighter where a compact hedge or screen is wanted.
Is it suitable for coastal positions?
It is one of the better plants for the job. The species grows naturally on New Zealand coastal headlands, and the thick leathery leaflets shrug off salt spray and constant wind that would burn softer foliage. Front line beachside gardens, exposed balconies and windy coastal courtyards all suit it, provided the soil drains freely.
Is it frost tolerant?
Only to a point. It takes light frost once established, particularly in a sheltered position with overhead protection, but foliage burns in heavier or repeated frosts and young plants are the most vulnerable. Treat it as a plant for mild coastal and temperate gardens, not for the tablelands or cold inland districts.
Can it grow in pots?
Yes, and it is a natural container plant. Use a large pot of 50 litres or more with a free draining mix, and keep it out of scorching reflected heat. The strong leaf shape reads well in a courtyard or entry, and container growing also gives you the option of moving it under cover through a cold snap.
Is it evergreen?
Evergreen, with foliage held year round and no seasonal drop to clean up. Small green flowers appear in spring and summer, followed by dark fruit on female plants, though neither is showy and neither is the reason to grow it. The value is in the glossy leaves and the dense structure they create through every season.
How do I prune and care for it?
Prune in spring or early summer, tipping the branches to thicken growth or cutting back harder to hold a size. It responds well to shaping and reshoots readily from older wood. Water through the first two summers, mulch, and feed once a year with a general fertiliser. Avoid waterlogged soil, which is the most common cause of failure.
- Foliage
Evergreen (foliage year round)
- Position
- Form
- Use
- Mature height
- 3m to 5m
- Mature width
- 2m to 4m
Planting Information
Recommended Planting Spacing For Your Pseudopanax lessonii ‘Cyril Watson’ – Cyril Watson Five Finger
Pseudopanax lessonii ‘Cyril Watson’ – Cyril Watson Five Finger is expected to grow 30cm to 60cm per year under suitable conditions.
Long Term Care For Your Pseudopanax lessonii ‘Cyril Watson’ – Cyril Watson Five Finger
Planting Your Pseudopanax lessonii ‘Cyril Watson’ – Cyril Watson Five Finger in Different Soil
Uses in my Garden
Uses in my Garden
Pseudopanax lessonii ‘Cyril Watson’ – Cyril Watson Five Finger works in an:
Is Pseudopanax lessonii ‘Cyril Watson’ – Cyril Watson Five Finger Evergreen or Deciduous?
Pseudopanax lessonii ‘Cyril Watson’ – Cyril Watson Five Finger is an Evergreen (foliage year round) Tree
Mature Height & Width
Mature Height: 3m to 5m
Mature Width: 2m to 4m
Pseudopanax lessonii ‘Cyril Watson’ – Cyril Watson Five Finger is expected to grow 30cm to 60cm per year under suitable conditions.
Growth Rate of Pseudopanax lessonii ‘Cyril Watson’ – Cyril Watson Five Finger
Pseudopanax lessonii ‘Cyril Watson’ – Cyril Watson Five Finger is expected to grow 30cm to 60cm per year under suitable conditions.
They are considered to have a:
Frost Tolerance & Ideal Climate to plant Pseudopanax lessonii ‘Cyril Watson’ – Cyril Watson Five Finger
Is Pseudopanax lessonii ‘Cyril Watson’ – Cyril Watson Five Finger frost tolerant?
Pseudopanax lessonii ‘Cyril Watson’ – Cyril Watson Five Finger is Frost Tolerant – Can handle light to moderate frost once established.
Does Pseudopanax lessonii ‘Cyril Watson’ – Cyril Watson Five Finger Flower?
Pseudopanax lessonii ‘Cyril Watson’ produces small greenish flowers during the warmer months, occasionally followed by decorative dark berries on mature plants. While the blooms are subtle, the plant is primarily valued for its glossy leathery foliage and bold architectural form.
Does Pseudopanax lessonii ‘Cyril Watson’ – Cyril Watson Five Finger flower?
Flowering Period:
Flower Type:
Flower Colour:
Green
Is Pseudopanax lessonii ‘Cyril Watson’ – Cyril Watson Five Finger an Australian Native Tree?
No
Pseudopanax lessonii ‘Cyril Watson’ – Cyril Watson Five Finger is Native to Derived from New Zealand Pseudopanax lessonii selections.
What is the Wildlife Value of Pseudopanax lessonii ‘Cyril Watson’ – Cyril Watson Five Finger ?
Its dense evergreen foliage provides valuable shelter and habitat for small birds and beneficial insects throughout the year. Seasonal flowers may also attract pollinators, supporting biodiversity within coastal and ornamental landscape settings.
How much Sunlight does Pseudopanax lessonii ‘Cyril Watson’ – Cyril Watson Five Finger need?
Pseudopanax lessonii ‘Cyril Watson’ – Cyril Watson Five Finger will thrive best in:
Preferred Soil?
Pseudopanax lessonii ‘Cyril Watson’ performs best in well-drained loam or sandy soils with a neutral to slightly acidic pH. It will also tolerate coastal conditions and a wide range of general garden soils provided drainage remains reliable. Avoid persistently wet or heavily compacted conditions unless significantly improved, as excess moisture can reduce root health and overall vigour. Keep soil evenly moist during establishment, then gradually reduce watering as the plant matures.
Is Pseudopanax lessonii ‘Cyril Watson’ – Cyril Watson Five Finger Drought Tolerant?
Is Pseudopanax lessonii ‘Cyril Watson’ – Cyril Watson Five Finger Drought tolerant?
As a young plant it benefits from regular watering to establish healthy dense growth, particularly during warmer weather. Once established, ‘Cyril Watson’ shows good drought tolerance and performs reliably through dry periods, although occasional supplementary watering supports stronger foliage quality and vigour.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Compare sizes side by side
30cm/33cm
Enquire for current heights
Heights are approximate and vary between individual trees.
Pseudopanax lessonii ‘Cyril Watson’ is loved for its Large glossy evergreen foliage provides strong tropical architectural structure and dense screening performance.
We take pride in supplying A+ grade advanced trees. When stock at our farm is not yet ready, we work with our trusted trade suppliers to source the best available trees for your garden.
Plant Your Pseudopanax lessonii ‘Cyril Watson’ – Cyril Watson Five Finger With:
Trachelospermum jasminoides Balls – Star Jasmine Balls
Trachelospermum jasminoides Balls – Star Jasmine Balls
Trachelospermum jasminoides 'Balls' is Star Jasmine grown and clipped into a dense evergreen sphere. The small glossy leaves sit tight on a woody framework, holding a clean rounded outline year round. White pinwheel flowers open in spring and carry a strong sweet scent right across a courtyard.
Ball specimens hold at about 1 to 1.5 metres tall and wide with light clipping. Full sun to part shade suits them, in any free draining soil. Growth is slow to moderate at 30 to 50 centimetres a year. They handle coastal exposure, light frost and dry spells once the roots are down.
Repeat them along a driveway, either side of an entry, or in pots on a terrace where a formal shape is wanted straight away. They read as structure in a planting scheme without the height of a hedge, and because the form is already trained, a new garden looks settled from the day it goes in.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Star Jasmine Balls
What are Star Jasmine Balls?
They are Trachelospermum jasminoides, the common Star Jasmine, grown and clipped into a dense evergreen sphere on a woody framework. Instead of climbing, the plant is trained into a self supporting rounded shape. The foliage is small, glossy and dark green, and the plant carries scented white flowers through spring.
How big do Star Jasmine Balls grow?
They hold at roughly 1 to 1.5 metres tall and 1 to 1.5 metres wide. Growth is slow to moderate at 30 to 50 centimetres a year, so a light clip once or twice a year keeps the ball tight at whatever size within that range suits the setting.
Do Star Jasmine Balls need sun or shade?
Full sun to part shade both work. Full sun gives the densest foliage and the heaviest flowering, while part shade produces slightly softer, more open growth and fewer flowers. Avoid deep shade, where the ball thins out and loses its outline. Morning sun with afternoon protection suits hot inland gardens.
Can Star Jasmine Balls be grown in pots?
Yes, and pots are one of the main uses. A container 50 to 60 centimetres wide with a quality free draining mix will hold a ball for years. Water more often than you would in the ground, especially in summer, and feed in spring and again in late summer. Refresh the mix every few years.
Are Star Jasmine Balls evergreen?
Yes, the foliage is held year round. The glossy dark green leaves take on a bronze tinge in cold weather and green up again in spring, but the plant never goes bare. That is what makes it useful as permanent structure in a scheme, particularly in winter once perennials have died back.
When do Star Jasmine Balls flower?
Flowering runs through spring, roughly September to November, and often carries into early summer in warmer districts. The white pinwheel flowers are small but produced in quantity, and the scent is strong on still evenings. Flowering is heaviest on plants in full sun that were not clipped hard just before bud set.
How do I prune and care for Star Jasmine Balls?
Clip lightly with hedging shears once after flowering and again in late summer if needed, taking only the new growth to keep the outline crisp. Water deeply in dry weather, mulch the base, and feed in early spring. The sap is milky and can irritate skin, so wear gloves when trimming.
Trachelospermum jasminoides Balls – Star Jasmine Balls
Westringia fruticosa – Coastal Rosemary
Westringia fruticosa – Coastal Rosemary
Westringia fruticosa, Coastal Rosemary, is an Australian native evergreen shrub from the headlands and dunes of the east coast. It builds a dense rounded bush of fine grey green leaves held in whorls, with small white to pale lilac flowers. Despite the common name it is not the culinary herb.
Mature plants sit at 1.5 to 2 metres tall and 1.5 to 2 metres wide, growing 30 to 60 centimetres a year, and they clip smaller without complaint. Full sun to part shade and sharp drainage are the requirements. Salt wind, sandy soil, drought and light to moderate frost are all handled.
It is a standard on coastal projects, road verges, council garden beds and exposed banks that need erosion cover. Plant 1 to 1.5 metres apart for an informal screen, or 80 centimetres for a clipped hedge. A single plant fills a 40 to 50 centimetre pot on a courtyard or balcony.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Coastal Rosemary
What is Coastal Rosemary?
Westringia fruticosa is an Australian native evergreen shrub from the headlands and dunes of the east coast. It forms a dense rounded bush of fine grey green leaves held in whorls, with small white to pale lilac flowers. Despite the common name it is not culinary rosemary and is not used in cooking.
How big does Coastal Rosemary grow?
Mature plants reach 1.5 to 2 metres tall and 1.5 to 2 metres wide. It clips readily to smaller dimensions and is often maintained at around a metre as a hedge or a low mound. Growth is moderate, roughly 30 to 60 centimetres a year, so it holds a trimmed shape well.
Is Coastal Rosemary suitable for coastal positions?
It is one of the best shrubs available for exposed coastal work. It grows naturally on sea cliffs and copes with salt laden wind, sand and reflected heat. It is used constantly on beachfront reserves, dune stabilisation projects and seaside gardens where little else holds a tidy shape.
When does Coastal Rosemary flower?
The main flush is spring and summer, roughly September through February, with scattered flowering at other times of the year in mild districts. The flowers are small, white to pale lilac and sit among the foliage rather than above it. Clipped hedges flower less than plants left to grow informally.
How far apart should I plant Coastal Rosemary for a hedge?
Space plants 80 centimetres apart for a tight formal hedge, or 1 to 1.5 metres apart for a dense informal screen. On banks and batters used for erosion cover, 1 metre in a staggered grid gives full ground coverage within about two growing seasons.
Can Coastal Rosemary grow in pots?
Yes. A pot 40 to 50 centimetres wide suits a single plant for a courtyard, entry or balcony. Use a free draining mix, because the roots will not tolerate sitting wet. Container plants need watering more often than those in the ground, plus a light trim to hold their shape.
How do I prune and care for Coastal Rosemary?
Trim lightly two or three times a year, taking the soft new growth and avoiding cuts into bare old wood, which reshoots poorly. Water through the first summer, then only in extended dry spells. On most soils it needs no feeding at all, and it resents heavy watering and poor drainage.
Westringia fruticosa – Coastal Rosemary
Westringia ‘Wynyabbie Blue’ – Wynyabbie Blue Coastal Rosemary
Westringia ‘Wynyabbie Blue’ – Wynyabbie Blue Coastal Rosemary
Westringia 'Wynyabbie Blue' is a hardy Australian native shrub grown for its lilac blue flowers, which are larger and more freely carried than those of the common white forms. Narrow grey green leaves sit in neat whorls on a dense rounded frame that holds its shape through the year.
Expect 1.5 to 2 metres in height and width at maturity, at 30 to 60 centimetres a year. Full sun brings the heaviest flowering, though part shade is accepted. Drainage matters above everything else, after which it takes salt wind, sandy or gravelly ground, drought and light to moderate frost.
Mass plantings on batters, median strips and coastal frontages are where it earns its keep, and it clips into a low hedge of about a metre without losing its flowering. Plant 1 to 1.5 metres apart for an informal screen. One plant fills a 40 to 50 centimetre pot neatly.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Wynyabbie Blue Coastal Rosemary
What is Westringia Wynyabbie Blue?
Westringia 'Wynyabbie Blue' is a hardy Australian native shrub grown for its lilac blue flowers, which are larger and more freely carried than those of the common white forms. Narrow grey green leaves sit in neat whorls on a dense rounded frame. It is evergreen and holds its structure all year.
How big does Wynyabbie Blue grow?
It reaches 1.5 to 2 metres tall and 1.5 to 2 metres wide at maturity, growing 30 to 60 centimetres a year. It clips comfortably to around a metre if you want a lower hedge, and it will hold that height indefinitely given two or three light trims a year.
When does Wynyabbie Blue flower?
From spring right through autumn, roughly September to May, with sporadic flowers in winter in mild districts. The lilac blue flowers open in flushes rather than all at once, so there is usually some colour on the plant. Flowering is heaviest in full sun on lean, well drained soil.
Is Wynyabbie Blue drought tolerant?
Yes. Once the roots are established it needs very little water and copes with extended dry periods, which is why it is used on unirrigated median strips and road verges. Drainage matters more than watering, since the plant will die in soggy ground long before it dies of thirst.
Is Wynyabbie Blue suitable for coastal positions?
It is. Salt laden wind, sandy soils and reflected heat are all handled, and it is planted routinely on foreshore reserves and beachside gardens. In very exposed frontal positions the plant stays lower and denser than it would inland, which generally suits the situation anyway.
How far apart should I plant Wynyabbie Blue for a hedge?
Use 80 centimetres between plants for a clipped formal hedge, or 1 to 1.5 metres for a dense informal screen. For mass planting on banks and median strips, 1 metre in a staggered pattern gives full coverage within about two growing seasons and shades out most weeds.
How do I prune and care for Wynyabbie Blue?
Trim lightly after each flowering flush, taking soft growth only. Cutting back into bare old wood leaves gaps that will not fill in, so stay on top of it rather than letting it get away. Water through the first summer, then rarely. Avoid rich soils and heavy fertiliser.
Westringia ‘Wynyabbie Blue’ – Wynyabbie Blue Coastal Rosemary
Evergreen Trees Direct Has Been Featured In:
Perfect Substitutes for Pseudopanax lessonii ‘Cyril Watson’ – Cyril Watson Five Finger
Follow Us On Instagram
@evergreentreesdirect ↗
Tips & Tricks
Best Trees for Creating a Privacy Screen: 10 Picks Across Fast Formal, Native and Narrow Column Options
Read the story
How to Incorporate Trees into Your Modern Landscape Design
Read the story
The Importance of Root Health: How to Choose Quality Trees
Read the story