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THE ALPINE GHOST: An exceptionally rare Tasmanian endemic conifer, almost impossible to source on the mainland.

Strictly limited mainland availability. Cultivated in Mittagong from genuine 75mm Tasmanian alpine provenance stock.

Mount Mawson Pine (Pherosphaera hookeriana)

$39.95

Rare Tasmanian Sourcing

Dispatched from NSW. Direct local supply available for Tasmanian customers to bypass Bass Strait.

Extreme Mainland Scarcity
Ultimate Alpine Frost Hardiness
Authentic Tasmanian Provenance
Perfect Rockery & Bonsai Specimen

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The Holy Grail of Australian Alpine Conifers

To find the Mount Mawson Pine (Pherosphaera hookeriana) growing in the wild, you must hike into the freezing, high-altitude tarns and alpine heathlands of Tasmania’s Mount Field National Park. To find it for sale on the Australian mainland is almost unheard of. At Sequoia Valley Farms, we are one of a very select handful of nurseries in the country to offer this botanical treasure. We source authentic, high-altitude provenance stock directly from our premium Tasmanian network, slowly growing them out in the cool climate of Mittagong into robust, 140mm specimens. Whether you are a rare conifer collector building a cool-climate rockery, a bonsai enthusiast seeking premium native material, or a Tasmanian landscaper requiring direct island supply of advanced stock, we are the undisputed authority on this elusive species.

Unrivalled access to a highly restricted Tasmanian alpine endemic

Deeply established value — our 140mm stock (25–30cm tall) represents years of slow alpine growth

Dual logistics — shipping acclimatised stock from NSW, with direct network supply for TAS locals

Exceptional dense, scale-like foliage that provides year-round structural interest

At a Glance

Pot Size: 140mm (Advanced sizes available for TAS projects upon request)
Est. Height: 25–30cm (measured from the base of the pot to the tip)
Mature Size: 1–2.5m tall (Extremely slow-growing alpine dwarf)
Growth Habit: Dense, compact, highly branched evergreen shrub
Style: Alpine Rockery / Rare Collector / Native Bonsai / Trough Garden

UNDERSTANDING ALPINE SIZING*
*Because this is a true alpine species, it grows at a glacial pace. A 25–30cm specimen in a 140mm pot is a highly advanced plant that has taken years to cultivate.

The Mount Mawson Pine (Pherosphaera hookeriana) is a true survivor of the ice ages. It is a densely branched, highly structural dwarf conifer that thrives in some of the harshest, coldest environments in Australia. Its foliage is exquisite—tightly packed, overlapping bright green scales that form thick, rope-like branchlets. In cultivation, it forms a stunning, rounded evergreen mound that looks incredible cascading over boulders or anchoring an alpine trough.

Because it is so incredibly slow to propagate and grow, commercial mainland nurseries simply ignore it. We don’t. By utilising our dedicated Tasmanian growing partners, we bring genuine alpine genetics to the mainland. If you want to buy a Mount Mawson Pine to complete your Gondwana collection, or if you are seeking a truly unique native species for high-end bonsai work, our meticulously graded 140mm stock is the ultimate prize.

The Rockery King: Its natural dwarf habit and slow growth rate make it the perfect, zero-maintenance architectural plant for cool-climate rockeries and alpine troughs.
Cultivated Scarcity: You will not find this in a garden centre. We are one of the only reliable, consistent suppliers of Pherosphaera hookeriana on the Australian mainland.
Premium Bonsai Material: Highly prized by native bonsai artists for its tiny, scale-like foliage, dense branching, and rugged alpine character.
Absolute Frost Immunity: Evolved in the freezing, snow-covered peaks of Tasmania, this plant will laugh off the deepest mainland frosts without a burnt tip.

Build a Tasmanian Alpine Rockery

Pair the Mount Mawson Pine with its ultra-rare, high-altitude Tasmanian neighbours.

Sunlit green alpine foliage of the highly rare Australian native conifer, Pherosphaera hookeriana (formerly Microstrobos niphophilus). Native bonsai material. Mount Mawson Pine

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Trusted by Gardeners Like You

★★★★★

"I have been looking for Pherosphaera hookeriana for my alpine trough garden for over three years. SVF’s 140mm stock was impeccably healthy, with beautiful, dense green growth. An incredible find on the mainland."

— Simon G. — Rare Alpine Collector, Orange (NSW)

★★★★★

"We were designing a native Tasmanian landscape in Hobart and needed advanced stock. SVF tapped straight into their local Tassie network and supplied us directly without the hassle of mainland shipping."

— Clair W. — Tassie Native Plant Enthusiast, South Hobart (TAS)

★★★★★

"The quality of this 140mm specimen for bonsai is phenomenal. It has wonderful branching to work with, making it an excellent candidate for future styling and refinement."

— Winnie K. — Bonsai Enthusiast, Melbourne (VIC)

Why is it so rare?

Pherosphaera hookeriana is an alpine endemic. It only grows in a few isolated, high-altitude pockets in Tasmania. It is also exceptionally slow to propagate and grow to a sellable size, making it commercially unviable for standard mass-market nurseries.

Can I grow this in Sydney or Brisbane?

We strongly advise against it. This is a true alpine species. It requires cool root runs, distinct winter chilling, and will suffer in high heat and humidity. It is best suited to TAS, VIC, the Southern Highlands, the Blue Mountains, and other cool-temperate regions.

Can it be grown in pots?

Absolutely. Because it is naturally a dwarf, slow-growing shrub, it is one of the best conifers in Australia for long-term container growth. It excels in shallow alpine troughs, terracotta display pots, and as a bonsai specimen.

How do you handle shipping to Tasmania?

For Tasmanian customers, we can fulfill your order directly through our local Tasmanian growing network. This allows you to receive authentic, local provenance plants while completely bypassing Bass Strait biosecurity treatments and delays.

Detailed Description and Specs

The Mount Mawson Pine (Pherosphaera hookeriana), frequently referenced in older botanical texts as Microstrobos niphophilus, is a rare, dioecious evergreen shrub belonging to the ancient Podocarpaceae family. It is strictly endemic to the subalpine and alpine zones of Tasmania, typically found clinging to the edges of high-altitude lakes and tarns.

It forms a highly dense, compact, and rounded shrub. The foliage consists of tiny, thick, blunt scale-like leaves that overlap tightly along the stem, giving the branchlets a striking, rope-like texture. In spring, male plants produce beautiful, tiny, pinkish-red pollen cones at the tips of the branchlets, providing a stunning contrast against the deep green foliage.

Species: Pherosphaera hookeriana (Syn. Microstrobos niphophilus)
Foliage: Tiny, thick, overlapping scale-like green leaves forming rope-like stems.
Cones: Male plants produce striking, tiny pink/red pollen cones at the branch tips.
Growth Habit: Extremely dense, slow-growing, spreading alpine dwarf shrub.
Best For: Alpine rockeries, trough gardens, rare native collections, and bonsai.

Care and Planting Guide

Success with the Mount Mawson Pine on the mainland relies entirely on keeping the root system cool and replicating its alpine home.

Sunlight & Location: In Tasmania, it grows in full sun. However, on the mainland, it must be protected from harsh afternoon summer sun. We highly recommend planting it in dappled light, morning sun, or a cool, south-facing aspect.
Soil & Drainage: Requires gritty, highly porous, well-draining soil. It is naturally found near alpine tarns, so it appreciates a soil rich in organic matter that holds moisture but never remains waterlogged.
Watering: It has very low drought tolerance. The root zone must be kept consistently cool and moist throughout the summer. A thick layer of gravel or organic mulch is mandatory to insulate the roots from heat.
Pot Culture: Thrives in premium, free-draining native potting mix. Ensure terracotta or ceramic pots are kept shaded during extreme heat waves to prevent the roots from baking.

Shipping and Delivery

Eastern States (NSW, ACT, VIC, SA)
Our acclimatised 140mm stock is eligible for standard shipping via our secure specialist plant freight network, dispatched directly from our NSW hub.

Tasmania (TAS) – Direct Local Supply
We maintain strong logistical pathways for our Tasmanian buyers. We can fulfill your order directly from our local Tasmanian network, completely bypassing Bass Strait biosecurity treatments. We can also source larger, advanced landscape sizes through this network upon request.

Western Australia & Northern Territory (WA & NT)
Shipping to WA and NT is subject to strict interstate biosecurity inspections and mandatory quarantine treatments via our Plant Concierge. Because this is a highly compact, dwarf alpine species, our 140mm stock (25–30cm) comfortably clears the maximum 105cm length limit imposed by Australia Post Express for these states.

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