Can you identify this plant?

[auntiehill]

So we moved into a new house (a total nightmare, but that's a different story) and they planted this tall, skinny plants all in a row right under a large window. I asked the workers what kind of plants they were---he had no idea. I asked the foreman--he had no idea. "It's what corporate ordered."

I tried using an online program that identifies plants with a mere photo---it wasn't sure either.

It's tall, thin and not very strong. It's about 18 inches high. We're about to have a freeze, so I went to throw some old sheets over my plants for a small amount of protection---the usual boxwoods and spider grass, fairly sturdy stuff anyway--but I can't put a sheet over these. The weight just knocks them right over and I didn't want to crush them. There's some flimsy reddish-brown top that looks like it might be a flower, but isn't a flower.

Any plant aficionados out there?

 

[BK613]

Can it be an herb like rosemary? It sort of looks like this illustration.

 

[auntiehill]

I don't think so. I've seen rosemary in my mother's garden and this is too chunky with a thicker, although bendy, stem.

 

[Non Sync]

It might be a yew plumb pine (Podocarpus macrophyllus). It can grow 8-10 feet or taller. It doesn't like wet soil, which could explain the brown leaves. It can tolerate lows 0-10 degrees F.

 

[Finn]

No, not rosemary. We have rosemary bushes at work, ant they look a lot more delicate than that. I'm looking into it now.

 

[Finn]

Mule Fat looks likey

 

[auntiehill]

Mule Fat looks likey

Close, not sure the flowers are right, though.

It might be a yew plumb pine (Podocarpus macrophyllus). It can grow 8-10 feet or taller. It doesn't like wet soil, which could explain the brown leaves. It can tolerate lows 0-10 degrees F.

This is the closest, although I live in the Houston area, which is a really a big damn swamp, so I don't know why they would plant that here.

Thanks for the help, gang! If I ever get someone to tell what it is, I'll let you know.

eta: Google Plant identifier says it's a Japanese Yew or Yew Plumb Pine. Well, we'll see if it survives the freeze. Not sure why they planted this here in the swamp, and right up against the house, too.

Thanks for all the help!