Botanical name:

Olearia rani var. colorata

Common name(s):

Heketara, tree daisy

About:

The delicate, white daisy-like flowers emerge gracefully during the vibrant spring season, bringing with them a sense of renewal, and shortly thereafter, the seeds with their tiny, airy wings become visible. The plant's leaves display a striking contrast, featuring white undersides adorned with prominent veins, adding to its overall beauty and uniqueness.

Natural habitat:

Heketara is a common shrub of well drained hill slopes growing both around forest margins and under the shade of trees.

Growing environment:

Shade, Wind, Free draining tolerant.

Endemic distribution:

Lowland forest throughout the North Island and in the northern half of the South Island. Olearia rani var. rani has a more northern range than Olearia rani var. colorata which is found in forests from the Coromandel south to the Buller River.

Height: 7m

Flowering: 

August - November with a white/yellow coloured flower/s

Fruiting:

November – January

Uses:

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

How to grow:

Easy from fresh seed and cuttings but very difficult to maintain in cultivation, which is why it is so scarce in the horticultural trade.  Seed should be sown on to a firm bed of seed raising mix, cover lightly with mix and/or fine pumice and place in a shady place to discourage weed growth. Move to the light when seedlings appear.

** 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.