Botanical name:

Pimelea prostrata

Common name(s):

Pinātoro, New Zealand daphne, Strathmore weed

About:

This particular pimelea species is commonly found at elevations of up to 1600m throughout various regions of New Zealand. It is characterised as a low-growing shrub that typically spreads to about 1m in diameter. Its very small bluish leaves are quite distinctive, and it produces crowded heads of tiny white flowers that bloom from spring through to autumn, creating a lovely display. Additionally, this plant serves as an excellent ground-cover option, particularly in rock gardens, as it thrives in well-drained soil and has the remarkable ability to tolerate extremely dry sites, making it a resilient choice for gardeners.

Natural habitat:

Coastal to montane. In open sites, such as coastal gravel, sand dunes, and mudstone cliffs; on ultramafic rock, mudstone, sandstone, marble, limestone, gravel river floodplains; vegetated places, in open scrub, low grassland, Schoenus marsh, Sphagnum bog, around tarn margins.

Growing environment:

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

Endemic distribution:

New Zealand’s North Island’s South Auckland, Taranaki, Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay, eastern Wairarapa, and near Wellington. In the South Island, Marlborough, Nelson, Westland, Canterbury, Otago, Southland

Height: 1m

Flowering: 

September - May with a white to yellow coloured flower/s 

Fruiting:

October – July

Uses:

Bird food / Attractant, Bee food, Riparian plantings & Ground cover.

How to grow:

Easily grown from semi-hardwood cuttings and rooted pieces. Seed is difficult to germinate. Best grown in a well drained soil in full sun. An excellent plant for the rockery.

** Seed germinates without pre treatment. Sow seed direct & keep moist until germination is complete.