Podocarpus totara Std Totara. This cultivar of Podocarpus totara is characterized by its blue-grey leaves. It is a slow-growing tree that can be clipped into any shape and size, making it an excellent option for hedging and screening. Additionally, its yellow-green catkins, which appear in mid-spring to early-summer, are a source of pollen for bees. Podocarpus totara is evergreen and native to New Zealand.