Shade tree. It is known for its smooth light gray bark. Its leaves turn yellow and then light brown remaining on the tree until nearly spring and providing interest to the winter landscape. If you are privileged to have this tree in the landscape, retain and protect it.

In nature, this grows in habitats with frequent fire.  In the garden, it will grow best if you remove built-up thatch (or burn it once every few years if you can). Bunching grass in a wildflower garden. Border of walkways. This is a low plant, so best used near the front of a group planting.

Use in moist areas as a wildflower. It is semi-woody, and if given adequate moisture can be a specimen plant.

Tolerant of occasional/brief inundation such as can occur in storm surges. Moderate. Tolerant of salty wind and may get some salt spray. Exposure to salt spray would be uncommon (major storms).

Wildflower in moist garden, edge of water garden, understory plant in wet woods or stream edges

The blue tubular flower opens into 5 petal-like lobes with a white center. Several blossoms grow in a loose cluster. Narrow seed pods and dark yellow fall color make this an attractive garden plant. Wildflower garden. Blooms late spring. Fall foliage color is orange-yellow.

Fragrant flowers and crushed foliage smells like limes. Dioecious: male and female flowers are on separate plants. Hedge, buffer or screen plant where its thorns will be an asset. Foliage is aromatic.  This author has one growing as a specimen plant and loves its shape and the shiny green rather lacey foliage.

In some parts of the world, this is an invasive species. In Florida, it is well behaved. Grow on a trellis or let climb a tree. Can also be used as a groundcover. Flowers are small but attractive. Blooms all year. Grown primarily as a larval host plant.

Flower color varies, which gives the plant a multi-hued array of flowers. Listed as Threatened in Florida Specimen plant where its showy, multi-colored flowers can be seen. Use as a large shrub to small tree.  Works well planted in clusters.

In the wild, Torreya is dying out due to disease. If choosing to plant this species, obtain disease-free (out-of-state) specimens and plant well-removed from the Apalachicola River so that the planted specimens will not become infected. This is a federally endangered species, it cannot be transplanted or transported without landowner permission and/or appropriate permits. There are also issues with planting this since the disease is easily transmittable (Chapman 2019).  Bottom line, this is not something to do without consulting conservation specialists. To participate in FNPS restoration and protection efforts for this species, see http://torreyakeepers.fnps.org. Specimen tree.

Occurs naturally at the edges of wooded areas and creates a hedge-like appearance.

Can be used as a groundcover in semi-shady areas. Perhaps more interesting than showy.

Restoration of savannas. Curiosity in the wildflower garden.