Hardy to all but the most severe frosts in the UK. Ultimately a sizeable tree, it makes an upright, columnar shrub when young; fairly fast growing. Tolerates pruning reasonably well although bud break from old wood is not very reliable; best kept in check by requent snipping of small leafy shoots rather than major hack-backs. Varies in leaf form across New Zealand. This specimen is like the ones usually sold in the UK, with large, glossy narrow leaves with a strongly undulate margin. Not fussy about soil.