PLANT FINDER
Green Island Ficus
Ficus microcarpa 'Green Island'
Height: 10 feet
Spread: 10 feet
Sunlight:
Hardiness Zone: 9a
Description:
A climbing shrub that is compact and attractive; small, rounded green leaves densely cover the branches making it an excellent hedge or screen if given some support; very adaptable, drought and salt tolerant; may be pruned to shape at any time
Ornamental Features
Green Island Ficus has attractive green evergreen foliage on a plant with a mounded habit of growth. The small glossy round leaves are highly ornamental and remain green throughout the winter. The fruits are showy salmon pomes displayed in late summer. The fruit can be messy if allowed to drop on the lawn or walkways, and may require occasional clean-up.
Landscape Attributes
Green Island Ficus is a multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with a mounded form. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other landscape plants with less refined foliage.
This shrub will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and can be pruned at anytime. It is a good choice for attracting birds to your yard, but is not particularly attractive to deer who tend to leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.
Green Island Ficus is recommended for the following landscape applications;
- Mass Planting
- Hedges/Screening
- General Garden Use
- Topiary
- Container Planting
Planting & Growing
Green Island Ficus will grow to be about 10 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 10 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 1 foot from the ground, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 50 years or more.
This shrub does best in full sun to partial shade. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist growing conditions, but will not tolerate any standing water. It is considered to be drought-tolerant, and thus makes an ideal choice for xeriscaping or the moisture-conserving landscape. This plant does not require much in the way of fertilizing once established. It is not particular as to soil type or pH, and is able to handle environmental salt. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America.
Green Island Ficus makes a fine choice for the outdoor landscape, but it is also well-suited for use in outdoor pots and containers. Because of its height, it is often used as a 'thriller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination; plant it near the center of the pot, surrounded by smaller plants and those that spill over the edges. It is even sizeable enough that it can be grown alone in a suitable container. Note that when grown in a container, it may not perform exactly as indicated on the tag - this is to be expected. Also note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.
Characteristics
Applications
Ornamental Features