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Common Name: Akeake

General Information

Olearia avicenniifolia is an evergreen shrub that can grow up to 3.00 metres tall.
The plant is sometimes grown as an ornamental, where it can be used to make a hedge

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

New Zealand.

Habitat

Sub-alpine scrub to 1000 metres in South Island.

Properties

Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	3.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in any well-drained moderately fertile soil in full sun[, ]. Thrives in a chalky soil[] but prefers a light loam or peaty soil[]. Very tolerant of maritime exposure[, ]. Tolerates atmospheric pollution[].
This species is not very hardy outside the milder western and south-western maritime areas of Britain[], tolerating temperatures down to about -10°c[]. Another report says that it is hardy to about -15°c[].
Very slow growing in Britain[], the plants generally only reach 2 - 3 metres tall in cultivation in this country.
Plants can be pruned right back into old wood in order to promote fresh growth[]. Any pruning is best done in the spring[].
Some named forms have been developed for their ornamental value[].
Flowers best in years following long hot summers[]. The flowers are sweetly scented[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

Very resistant to maritime exposure and tolerant of severe pruning[, , , ], this plant can be used as an effective windbreak hedge in exposed maritime areas[]. It is rather slow growing though[].

Propagation

Seed - surface sow in early spring in a greenhouse. Do not allow the compost to dry out. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. If growth has been sufficiently good, plant them out into their permanent positions in early summer of the following year, otherwise grow them on for another year in pots and plant them out the following early summer.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 10cm with a heel, mid summer in a frame. Pot up in late August and overwinter in a cold frame then plant out in late spring or early summer[]. Good percentage[].
Cuttings of moderately ripe wood of the current years growth, 5 - 10cm with a heel, late autumn in a frame. High percentage[].