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Common Name:

General Information

Olearia traversii is an evergreen shrub that can grow up to 10.00 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

Forests on Chatham Island[].

Properties

Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	10.00 m
Growth Rate	Medium
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[, , ].
This species is not very hardy in Britain[], plants have succeeded outdoors at Kew but not at other inland sites[]. When grown by the coast, plants have also succeeded as far north as Scarborough on the east coast[, ]. Flowers best in years following long hot summers[].
Very tolerant of severe pruning, plants can be pruned right back into old wood in order to promote fresh growth[]. It is best to trim new growth by 50% each year for the first three years after planting in order to promote basal shoots[, ]. Any pruning is best done in the spring[].

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. Fairly fast growing, reaching 2 metres within 6 years in a very exposed site at Rosewarne in Cornwall[].

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[].