Botanical name:

Dodonaea viscosa

Common name(s):

Akeake

About:

A small bushy tree characterised by its flaky reddish bark and adorned with long, thin, wavy leaves. The leaves typically measure between 4 to 15cm in length and 1 to 4cm in width, exhibiting a colour range that transitions from green to red-purple. They gradually narrow to a short leaf stalk, culminating in a quickly tapering, rounded leaf tip. The flowers are arranged in delicate panicles that are small in size and can be found in shades of yellow-green to red-green, eventually developing into green, dry capsules that feature two to four wings.

Natural habitat:

Coastal to lowland forest, occupying a range of habitats from dune fields and r beaches through coastal scrub to lowland forest. Very rarely forming a dominant tree in coastal forest and on offshore islands

Growing environment:

Full sun, Coastal, Salt resistant, Free draining & wind tolerant

Endemic distribution:

Three Kings, North, South and Chatham Islands of New Zealand & also widespread throughout the world.

Height:

3-12m

Flowering:

August – November with Red/Pink or Yellow flowers

Fruiting:

November - April

Uses:

Hedges & Riparian plantings

How to grow:

Easily grown from fresh seed & frequently self-establishes in gardens. Ake Ake is an attractive fast-growing shrub or small tree. It is frost sensitive but otherwise remarkably resilient and will tolerate all but waterlogged soils & also should be planted in full sun.

**Seed will germinate without pre treatment but 4 weeks cold stratification will help speed up and even out germination time.