Botanical name:

Olearia hectorii

Common name(s):

Deciduous tree daisy, Hector’s tree daisy

About:

A similar species to O. fragrantissima, which can be found thriving in scrubland environments from the Clarence River all the way down to Southland in the South Island, exhibits several interesting characteristics. It is a deciduous plant that begins the flowering process while its branches remain completely leafless, creating a striking contrast against the backdrop of its surroundings.

Natural habitat:

Lowland to subalpine often at the base of steep hills on colluvium, or on alluvium in situations affected by flooding, debris avalanching, water-logging, drought and/or frost.

Growing environment:

Frost, Sun, Shade, Drought, Wind & Free draining tolerant.

Endemic distribution:

New Zealand’s eastern South Island from North Canterbury south.

Height: 10m

Flowering: 

October – December with a yellow coloured flower/s

Fruiting:

December – February

Uses:

Bird food / Attractant, Bee food, Riparian plantings & Forests.

How to grow:

Can be grown from fresh seed and semi-hardwood cuttings. The strike rate of these can be variable, and best results are obtained from cuttings taken after leaf fall in autumn, and kept in a cold frame over winter.

** Seed germinates without pre treatment. 4 weeks cold stratification will help speed this up though

** Seed can be slow to germinate, taking 9 – 12 months, often with a low germination rate.