Botanical name:

Dodonaea viscosa var purpurea

Common name(s):

Purple Ake Ake

Plant facts:

A native New Zealand shrub or small tree characterised by its spreading, ascending branches, enjoyable purple foliage, and attractive cream to red flower clusters that bloom during the summer months. It naturally occurs in coastal regions and lowland forests, thriving in diverse environments. Akeake offers excellent shelter and is known for its hardiness, making it well-suited to tolerate exposed conditions. This plant is a fantastic choice for creating low hedges in gardens and landscaping. However, it is worth noting that Akeake can be sensitive to frost during its younger stages of growth.

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.