Olearia macrodonta
a perennial woody evergreen member of the Olearia genus in the family Compositae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Compositae
- Genus
- Olearia
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Foliage
- evergreen
- Woodiness
- woody
- Growth rate
- moderate
- Height
- 6 m
- Spread
- 5 m
- Fertility
- Insects
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Insects
Uses
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Very resistant to maritime exposure, this plant can be used as an effective windbreak hedge in exposed maritime areas[8]. One report says that it is tolerant of severe pruning[5], whilst another says that it is better not to prune severely[8]. Moderately fast growing.
Ecology and functions
Environment
- Range
- New Zealand.
- Habitat
- Lowland to sub-alpine forest to 1300 metres, southwards from latitude 37° 30's on North and South Islands[7].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- no shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 8+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- 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 - surface sow in early spring in a greenhouse. Do not allow the compost to dry out. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. If growth has been sufficiently good, plant them out into their permanent positions in early summer of the following year, otherwise grow them on for another year in pots and plant them out the following early summer. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 10cm with a heel, July/August in a frame. Pot up in late August and overwinter in a cold frame then plant out in late spring or early summer[9]. Good percentage[2]. Cuttings of moderately ripe wood of the current years growth, 5 - 10cm with a heel, November in a frame. Very easy, succeeding even when the cuttings are planted directly into their permanent positions in exposed sites[K].
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Succeeds in any well-drained moderately fertile soil in full sun[3][5]. Thrives in a chalky soil[3][5] but prefers a light loam or peaty soil[2]. Very tolerant of maritime exposure[8]. A very ornamental plant[1], it is almost hardy throughout Britain, tolerating temperatures down to about -15°c[4] if sheltered from cold winds[2]. Flowers best in years following long hot summers[5]. Withstands light trimming but dislikes being cut back hard into old growth, it is best to trim new growth by 50% each year in order to promote basal shoots[8]. Any pruning is best done in the spring[2]. This plant is possibly a hybrid O. arborescens x O. ilicifolia. There are a number of named forms, the cultivar 'Major' is faster to establish than the type[8]. The whole plant is aromatic[3]. The leaves emit a powerful musk scent when bruised whilst the flowers are honey-scented[6].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00
Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2
Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30258-2
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8
Allan. H. H. Flora of New Zealand. Government Printer, Wellington. 1961-00-00
Rosewarne experimental horticultural station. Shelter Trees and Hedges. Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 1984-00-00
Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00