Practical
Plants

Griselinia littoralis

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Griselinia genus in the family Cornaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Cornaceae
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
moderate
Height
6 m
Spread
5 m
Fertility
self sterile
Flower type
dioecious

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Fruit - a bitter flavour[4].

Plant part
Fruit

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Grows well by the sea, making a good hedge that tolerates maritime exposure[1][8][11]. Plants are very amenable to trimming[7], they are best cut in early summer[6] and can be cut right back into old wood if required. A slow-growing plant, but it makes a nice dense hedge[K]. Wood - very durable, firm, dense but slightly brittle. Used for ship building, railway sleepers etc[10][12][2].

Product or use
Wood

Ecology and functions

Hedge

Environment

Range
New Zealand.
Habitat
Lowland to montane forests in North, South and Stewart Islands[9].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 7+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerances
high wind, maritime exposure
Wind
Yes
Maritime
Yes
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - best sown as soon as ripe in a greenhouse. It can also be sown in the spring in a cold frame. Prick out the seedlings when they are large enough to handle and grow on for at least their first winter in a greenhouse. Plant out in late spring after the last expected frosts and give some protection for their first winter outdoors. Cuttings of half-ripe wood 7 cm with a heel, July/August in a frame. Keep the foliage moist. Pot up in August and overwinter in a sheltered position, planting out in late spring after the last expected frosts[13]. Cuttings of mature wood, 7 - 10 cm with a heel, October/November in a frame. High percentage[13].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Prefers a rich light loam in sun or semi-shade[7]. Tolerates chalky soils[1]. Plants are very tolerant of strong maritime winds[5] but they can be damaged by cold dry winds. Tolerating temperatures down to about -10°c, this species is somewhat tender in most parts of Britain[1] though it usually regrows if cut back by frost[7]. The young shoots in spring are often cut back by late frosts[K]. Very tolerant of root disturbance, it transplants well even when quite large though it would then require staking at first when growing in exposed positions[3]. A number of cultivars have been developed for their ornamental value[5][7]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[7]. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required. It self-sows abundantly in the milder areas of Britain if both sexes are grown[1].

References

  1. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  2. ? Encyclopaedia Britannica. 15th edition.

    ↩

  3. Taylor. J. The Milder Garden. Dent 1990-00-00

    ↩

  4. Crowe. A. Native Edible Plants of New Zealand. Hodder and Stoughton 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-340-508302

    ↩

  5. Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2

    ↩1↩2

  6. Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7

    ↩

  7. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  8. Shepherd. F.W. Hedges and Screens. Royal Horticultural Society. 1974-00-00 ISBN 0900629649

    ↩

  9. Allan. H. H. Flora of New Zealand. Government Printer, Wellington. 1961-00-00

    ↩

  10. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩

  11. Arnold-Forster. Shrubs for the Milder Counties.

    ↩

  12. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

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  13. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

    ↩1↩2

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