Name: The Plant Company
Address: 284 Meeanee Road, Meeanee, Napier, 4112, New Zealand
Telephone: 0800 843 752
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evergreen mop top tree

An evergreen mop top tree is the perfect choice for New Zealand gardeners seeking year-round greenery, compact form, and striking landscape presence. Known for their dense, lush foliage and classic lollipop shape, evergreen mop tops are increasingly popular as feature trees, driveway borders, or hedge alternatives. Their capacity to maintain foliage through every season, paired with low-maintenance requirements, makes them especially appealing for both residential and commercial landscapes.

Schinus molle (California Pepper Tree)

Schinus molle, commonly known as the California Pepper Tree, is an evergreen tree grown for its attractive form and foliage. The leaves are bright green and held off arching stems to give the tree a somewhat weeping appearance. Fragrant, white-yellow flowers hang from the tree in summer, resulting in red berries in autumn that last into winter. It grows with a rounded shape to 10 m tall and 8 m wide, performing best when planted in full sun. Schinus molle is commonly grown for as a specimen, planted for shade in parks and large gardens, used in avenue plantings, or included in Mediterranean themed gardens.

Buy Schinus molle (California Pepper Tree)

From $299.92

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate

Plant type: Trees

Height: 10.00 m

Spread: 8.00 m

Flowering time: Summer

Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy

Garden uses: Avenues, Living areas, Parks, Screening, Specimen

Garden styles: Backyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Mediterranean

Sequoiadendron giganteum

Sequoiadendron giganteum (Giant Redwood) is one of the world’s most impressive and majestic conifer trees, valued for its towering growth habit, rich green foliage, and remarkable longevity. This iconic tree creates an outstanding feature in large New Zealand landscapes, parks, and lifestyle properties where space allows for its grand scale. Giant Redwood trees are fast growing when young and develop a strong upright form with attractive reddish bark as they mature. Sequoiadendron giganteum is perfect for those wanting to plant a truly enduring and awe inspiring specimen tree.

Buy Sequoiadendron giganteum

From $299.92

Suited to regions: All regions

Plant type: Trees

Height: 60.00 m

Spread: 20.00 m

Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy, Wind

Garden uses: Parks, Screening, Specimen

Garden styles: Alpine, Coastal, Forestry, Mediterranean

What Is an Evergreen Mop Top Tree?

An evergreen mop top tree typically refers to any standardised, ball-shaped tree that keeps its leaves year-round. In contrast to the deciduous Robinia Mop Top, evergreen varieties provide a constant backdrop of green, regardless of the season. The unique "mop head" or dense globe at the top of a clean stem brings architectural interest and structure to gardens, whether they’re used as singular specimens, lining a formal driveway, or as part of a clipped hedge.

Popular Choices For Evergreen Mop Top Trees

While the term “mop top” is often associated with the Robinia Mop Top, many gardeners are now seeking evergreen options for continuous cover. The Schinus molle (California Pepper Tree) is an excellent evergreen mop top tree candidate, offering airy, fern-like foliage and charming clusters of pink berries. Similarly, Hoheria populnea, a New Zealand native, makes a wonderful mop top with its glossy leaves and masses of white star-shaped flowers.

Other options include the striking Lagunaria patersonia, known for its resilience to coastal winds and impressive upright form. Those with larger gardens might also consider the majestic Sequoiadendron giganteum (Sequoia gigantea Tree) shaped into a mop top form during its youth, although this species will eventually tower over most landscapes.

Landscape Uses For Evergreen Mop Top Trees

The evergreen mop top tree is versatile and well-suited to various roles in both modern and traditional gardens. Use as a formal avenue to create a grand entrance, line pathways for all-year structure, or plant in large planters for instant impact on patios. These trees are often used as alternatives to clipped topiary or box hedging, offering more height and presence without losing the formal appeal. Their tidy, compact size makes them an excellent fit for urban gardens where space is at a premium.

Care and Maintenance Tips

Evergreen mop top trees generally prefer well-drained soil and a sunny to partly shaded position. Regular trimming is essential to maintain the signature ball-shaped top, especially during active growth cycles. Mulching helps retain moisture and suppress weeds around the root zone, and a slow-release fertiliser in spring supports healthy, lush foliage. Check for any suckers from the trunk and remove to keep the mop-top form. Pest and disease issues are typically minimal, especially with robust species like Hoheria populnea.

Discover Your Perfect Evergreen Mop Top Tree

Whether you’re after the timeless elegance of an evergreen mop top tree or an alternative like Robinia Mop Top, you’ll find a tree to suit every style and site in our extensive collection. Explore year-round greenery, easy-care maintenance, and sculptural beauty to transform your outdoor space. For guidance or recommendations, don’t hesitate to browse our range from magnificent Sequoiadendron giganteum (Sequoia gigantea Tree) to the adaptable Lagunaria patersonia.

Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.