Ake Ake in New Zealand – Complete Growing Guide

Ake Ake Care

Ake Ake care is about making sure the plants are thriving. Our plant care article provides the necessary details to give you the greatest chance of success. Afterall, there is nothing worse than putting the effort into planting for them to fail. Therefore, follow our advice for Ake Ake care and give yourself the best chance of success.

How To Care For Ake Ake

The most important part starts with planting and our article, How To Plant Ake Ake, provides sound advice on how to do this properly. So, let’s now assume your plant is growing well and you want to keep it that way!

Winter is the perfect time for mulching and trimming your plants. Trimming is generally subtle and you should be able to see foliage below the cuts. Plants are typically trimmed to contain growth and encourage fresh, new foliage.

Organic matter such as compost or sheep pellets should be spread liberally around the plants and then overlaid with a mulch during winter. The Plant Company has three very good options for mulch. The first is coco fibre matting which is made from the husks of coconuts. The second is Earth Mat which is made from recycled paper. Both of these break down to become part of the soil within two years. The third is black plastic matting which will last 20 years or more. Whichever mulch is used, The Plant Company recommend stones, bark chip, or other similar products be spread over top for aesthetic purposes. The Plant Company does not recommend adding fertiliser during winter as this is better applied in spring so less is wasted. However, adding organic matter such as compost is quite okay.

Spring is the perfect time for fertilising the plants as they start to bounce into life. The Plant Company has fertilisers which have been specially blended for different plants and in this instance, our native plant fertiliser will give them the correct boost and keep them fed for 12-months. A suitable alternative is our organic fertiliser which will also keep them well fed but they will require a secondary application in autumn.

Summer is when the plants need regular watering and this should be undertaken every second day on the hottest days until they are established. Plants that are establishing need particular attention as their root system will not have penetrated deep enough to secure consistent moisture yet.

Caring for Ake Ake in autumn is about keeping the plants healthy. Foliar feeding using a liquid fertiliser can be undertaken during spring, summer, and autumn if you have time but this is not essential if solid fertiliser and/or good amounts of organic matter have already been applied. If you think the plants need an extra boost or have some yellowing, however, a liquid fertiliser won’t hurt.

Ake Ake Information

There is a wealth of information about Ake Ake and often The Plant Company is asked specific questions which we have laid out here to hopefully answer any questions you may also have.

How Big Does The Purple Ake Ake Grow To?

Purple Ake Ake, also known as Dodonaea viscosa 'purpurea', is a fast-growing evergreen tree that can reach a height of up to 10 metres and a spread of up to 8 metres. However, it is commonly grown as a hedge or shrub and can be easily maintained at a height of 2-3 metres.

Purple Ake Ake is known for its attractive purple foliage, which contrasts beautifully with its white flowers in summer. It is also a relatively hardy tree and can tolerate a wide range of climates and soil conditions. However, it prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It is a popular choice for gardens and landscapes due to its fast growth rate, attractive foliage, and ability to tolerate a variety of conditions. The Purple Ake Ake is a great choice for hedging and windbreaks.

Is Ake Ake An Evergreen?

Ake Ake are evergreen plants. They are native to New Zealand and are popular for their fast growth rate, attractive foliage, and ability to tolerate a wide range of climates and soil conditions.

What Is The Ake Ake Plant In New Zealand?

"Ake Ake" refers to a group of closely related shrubby trees or small trees in New Zealand, rather than a single plant. They all share similar characteristics and ecological niches, making them useful to group together for planting and identification. The main types of Ake Ake are:

• Dodonaea viscosa: Often called "Green Ake Ake" or "Broadleaf Hopbush," this is the most common and widely recognized Ake Ake. It has bright green, long, and thin wavy leaves, flaking reddish bark, and papery winged seed capsules. It's popular for landscaping due to its toughness, adaptability, and attractive appearance.
• Olearia paniculata: Known as "Golden Ake Ake" or "Mountain Flax," this species has golden-yellow flowers and narrow, flax-like leaves. It prefers cooler and mountainous areas than Dodonaea viscosa.
• Olearia traversii: Called "Chatham Island Ake Ake" or "Chatham Island Mountain Daisy," this species is endemic to Chatham Island and has large, daisy-like yellow flowers.

Where Is Ake Ake Naturally Found In NZ?

Ake Ake is found naturally throughout NZ and on the Three Kings and Chatham Islands. It is generally found growing in coastal and lowland forest and scrub areas.

Why Is The Green Ake Ake Tree So Popular?

While the Purple Ake Ake stands out for its vibrant foliage, the Green Ake Ake (Dodonaea viscosa) also enjoys popularity for its own set of reasons:

1. Aesthetic appeal: While not as visually striking as its purple counterpart, the Green Ake Ake offers a classic beauty with its bright green, fern-like leaves and contrasting reddish-brown, peeling bark. This creates a natural and calming aesthetic, making it a good choice for gardens seeking a subtle elegance.
2. Environmental benefits: Like other native plants, the Green Ake Ake contributes to a healthy ecosystem by providing habitat and food for native birds and insects. These pollinators, in turn, play a vital role in plant reproduction and overall ecosystem health.
3. Fast growth and privacy: The Green Ake Ake is a fast-growing shrub or small tree, making it an effective choice for creating hedges and privacy screens rapidly. This is especially beneficial for newly developed areas or landscapes requiring quick establishment of borders.
4. Drought tolerance and adaptability: Similar to the Purple Ake Ake, the Green Ake Ake is known for its tolerance to drought and adaptability to various conditions. This includes thriving in coastal environments, windy areas, and handling light frosts. This makes it a reliable choice for gardeners in diverse climates.
5. Cultural significance: As a native New Zealand plant, the Green Ake Ake carries the same cultural value as the Purple Ake Ake, resonating with those who appreciate the history and identity of the land. Using native plants in landscaping can be seen as a way to connect with and respect the unique natural heritage of the region.
6. Multifunctional applications: Beyond aesthetics and privacy, the Green Ake Ake finds use in erosion control due to its dense root system. Additionally, its hardwood was traditionally used by Maori people for making tools and weapons, adding a layer of historical significance to its presence in gardens.

To conclude, the Green Ake Ake brings subtle beauty, environmental benefits, fast growth, adaptability, cultural significance, and multi-functionality element that contribute to its enduring popularity as a valuable addition to various landscape designs.

Why Is The Purple Ake Ake So Popular?

The popularity of Purple Ake Ake can be attributed to several factors:

1. Eye-catching foliage: The vibrant reddish-purple leaves are a standout feature, adding a burst of colour and character to gardens. This vibrant hue intensifies under harsh conditions, making it even more attractive in dry or coastal areas.
2. Adaptability and low maintenance: The Purple Ake Ake thrives in a wide range of conditions, tolerating wind, frost, coastal environments, dry periods, and most soil types. This makes it a low-maintenance choice for gardeners, requiring minimal care to flourish.
3. Versatility in use: Its fast growth and response to pruning allow it to be shaped into hedges, screens, topiaries, or small trees, making it suitable for various landscaping needs.
4. Native appeal: As a New Zealand native plant, the Purple Ake Ake adds a touch of local character to gardens and supports the local ecosystem by attracting beneficial insects. This resonates with people who value sustainability and environmental consciousness.
5. Historical significance: The rise of its popularity coincided with the growing appreciation for native plants in New Zealand after World War II. It became a go-to choice for public and private landscaping projects, further solidifying its place in the national landscape.

Overall, the combination of beautiful foliage, adaptability, versatility, and cultural significance has cemented the Purple Ake Ake as a popular choice for gardeners in New Zealand and beyond.

Dodonaea Information

There is a wealth of information about Dodonaea and often The Plant Company is asked specific questions which we have laid out here to hopefully answer any questions you may also have.

Dodonaea Viscosa Purpurea Information

Purple Ake Ake, also known as Dodonaea viscosa 'purpurea', is a popular New Zealand native shrub due to its vibrant foliage and adaptability. Some of its key characteristics include:

Foliage and flowers

• Lush, deep reddish-purple leaves held densely off upright stems.
• The colour intensity can vary depending on climate, soil type, and conditions, ranging from bright vivid red to deep dark maroon-purple.
• Masses of small, pink flowers appear in summer.
• The bark has a rusticated and rough look, giving the plant a mature and weathered appearance.

Size and growth habit

• Grows up to 4 metres tall and 2.5 metres wide when left untrimmed. It can be easily maintained at a desired height through pruning.
• It is a fast-growing, evergreen shrub.
• Responds well to trimming and can be shaped into hedges, topiaries, or small trees.

Climate and Conditions:

• Thrives in full sun or partial shade.
• Tolerates a wide range of conditions, including wind, frost, coastal environments, dry periods, and most soil types except for extreme wet or dry conditions.
• Prefers well-drained soil for optimal growth.

Uses:

• Popular for hedges, screens, windbreaks, and mixed plantings.
• Can be used as a specimen plant or backdrop for smaller plants.
• Attracts beneficial insects to the garden.

Overall, the Purple Ake Ake is a versatile and low-maintenance plant that adds a touch of colour and character to any landscape.

Dodonea Viscosa Information

Dodonaea viscosa, commonly known as hopbush, akeake (Māori), or sand olive, is a versatile evergreen shrub or small tree native to Australia, New Zealand, and Southeast Asia. It is known for its adaptability, tolerance to harsh conditions, and attractive foliage. Here are its key characteristics:

Leaves:

• The leaves are elliptic to spoon-shaped, 4–7.5 cm long and 1–1.5 cm broad. They are arranged in an alternate manner. They glisten and are slightly sticky due to a resinous substance they secrete. The colour varies depending on the variety, ranging from green to purple (cultivar 'Purpurea').

Flowers:

• Inconspicuous, small, and greenish-yellow. They are produced in clusters during spring and summer. They lack petals but have 3-4 sepals.

Fruit:

• Distinctive, inflated, and winged capsules. They are initially green and turn golden-brown when mature. They split open to release smooth, black seeds.

Bark:

• Greyish-brown and smooth on young plants. It develops shallow grooves and becomes slightly flaky with age.

Size:

• Typically grows 1–3 metres tall, but can reach up to 9 metres in ideal growing conditions.

Growth Habit:

• Fast-growing evergreen shrub or small tree. It can be shaped through pruning into hedges, topiaries, or small specimen trees.

Climate and Conditions:

• Thrives in full sun or partial shade.
• Tolerates drought, wind, frost, coastal environments, and most soil types except for extreme wet or dry conditions.
• Prefers well-drained soil for optimal growth.

Uses:

• Popular for hedges, screens, windbreaks, and mixed plantings.
• Can be used as a specimen plant or backdrop for smaller plants.
• Attracts beneficial insects to the garden.
• Traditionally, the wood has been used for making tools and weapons.

Overall, Dodonaea viscosa is a valuable and versatile plant that offers a combination of aesthetic appeal, adaptability, and ecological benefits.

What Are The Benefits Of Dodonaea?

The benefits of Dodonaea are far-reaching and can be categorised into environmental, practical, and medicinal uses:

Environmental:

• Nitrogen fixation: Dodonaea enriches the soil with nitrogen, a crucial nutrient for plant growth. This makes it valuable for land restoration and ecological regeneration.
• Drought resistance: Dodonaea thrives in dry conditions and minimal water, making it ideal for landscaping in arid and drought-prone areas.
• Erosion control: Its dense root system stabilizes soil and prevents erosion, particularly on slopes and hillsides.
• Wildlife habitat: The foliage and fruit provide food and shelter for birds and other small animals, promoting biodiversity.

Practical:

• Hedge/windbreak: The dense growth and tough branches make Dodonaea an excellent choice for hedges, windbreaks, and natural fences.
• Shade tree: In warmer climates, it offers valuable shade with its attractive canopy.
• Wood uses: Though not durable for general construction, the wood can be used for posts, tool handles, and fish floats.
• Fodder: The leaves are rich in protein and can be used as supplemental feed for livestock in some regions.

Medicinal (consult a healthcare professional for medical advice):

• Pain relief: Leaves have historically been used to treat rheumatism, headaches, and toothaches.
• Skin conditions: Topical application of leaf extracts or poultices may offer relief from rashes, dermatitis, and hemorrhoids.
• Diarrhea and gastrointestinal issues: Leaf infusions have been used traditionally to alleviate diarrhea and stomach discomfort.
• Anti-inflammatory properties: Research suggests certain compounds in Dodonaea may have anti-inflammatory effects.
• It's important to note that these are traditional uses and the medicinal properties of Dodonaea are still being researched. Consult a healthcare professional before using any plant for medicinal purposes.

What Is The Common Name For Dodonaea?

Dodonaea, commonly known as Ake Ake, doesn't have just one common name, as it varies depending on the specific species and location. However, here are some of the other common names you might encounter:

• Hopbush: This is the most widely used common name for Dodonaea, likely due to the resemblance of its fruit to hops used in brewing.
• Broadleaf hopbush: This name clarifies the type of hopbush, as some species have narrower leaves.
• Candlewood: This name refers to the straight, slender branches of the plant, sometimes used for candles.
• Native hop: This emphasizes the plant's natural occurrence in certain regions.
• Bururr: Used by the Wiradjuri people of New South Wales, Australia.
• Virāli: Found in Tamil Nadu, India.
• Soapwood: Refers to the historical use of the plant's bark for soap making.

Fertiliser For Ake Ake

Providing the best fertiliser for Ake Ake is important to ensure the plants thrive. The correct fertiliser depends on whether the plant is grown in a pot or in soil, and getting this wrong can be disastrous for your plants. Our articles provide the best advice about fertiliser for Ake Ake plants so you can achieve the amazing results you are after.

What Is The Best Fertiliser For Ake Ake Grown In A Pot?

Ake Ake grown in containers require different fertiliser to those grown outdoors in soil. In this instance the correct fertilisers to use are either the container plant fertiliser or fertiliser tablets. Each of these will provide safe, sustained, and complete nutrition to the plant for the next 12-months. Using other types of fertiliser can be detrimental to the plant and may result in plant injury or death.

Foliar feeding using a liquid fertiliser can be undertaken if you have time but this is not essential if container plant fertiliser or fertiliser tablets have been used. If you think the plant needs an extra boost or has some yellowing, however, a liquid fertiliser application won’t hurt. A great benefit of foliar feeding is that it helps keep the leaves strong and lush as the nutrition is right where the plant needs it.

What Is The Best Fertiliser For Ake Ake?

Ake Ake are vigorous plants that require feeding to keep them growing optimally. The Plant Company’s shrub fertiliser has been blended to give plants an initial boost and then sustained nutrition for 12-months. We recommend the fertiliser is applied to the soil surface in spring just as the plants start to grow actively. More importantly, we advise that no fertiliser is placed in the hole at planting, but rather spread around the soil surface so it can wash through the roots as it releases. The Plant Company’s shrub fertiliser ensures that nutrients remain in the soil around the plant rather than being lost through the soil profile to where the plant cannot reach it. This also applies to plants grown on sandy soils. This fertiliser is therefore very environmentally friendly and longer lasting than most other products in the market.

Foliar feeding using a liquid fertiliser can be undertaken if you have time but this is not essential if shrub fertiliser has been applied. If you think the plants need an extra boost or have some yellowing, however, a liquid fertiliser application won’t hurt. A great benefit of foliar feeding is that it helps keep the leaves strong and lush.

Planting And Growing Ake Ake Trees

Planting Ake Ake and getting them to grow well is generally easy when you get a few of the basics right. This involves planting them in the right soil type, choosing the most ideal planting position, selecting the correct size, and ensuring the plants have the essentials to thrive. The Plant Company has the right advice to ensure success whether you are growing a hedge or standalone plants.

How Fast Does Akeake Grow?

Akeake (Dodonaea viscosa) is a fast-growing tree. It can grow up to 5 metres in the first 5 years and is generally at full maturity in seven years. However, its growth rate can vary depending on a number of factors, including climate, soil type, and water availability.

In ideal conditions, akeake can grow up to 10 metres tall and have a trunk diameter of up to 30 centimetres. It is a relatively hardy tree and can tolerate a wide range of climates and soil conditions. However, it prefers full sun and well-drained soil.

How To Plant Ake Ake

Choose a full sun position with good drainage for your Ake Ake. The hole should be dug to at least 50-75% deeper and wider than the container the plant is currently growing in. A planting spade makes the hole digging a lot easier. The Plant Company recommends incorporating compost or sheep pellets into the soil to provide additional organic material, but this is not essential. Do not put fertiliser in the bottom of the hole, rather spread that on the soil surface after planting, and preferably do this when the plant is actively growing in spring.

Remove the plant from the container it is growing in by either pulling it free or by cutting the bag. We recommend cutting the bag or container, especially for larger grade plants, to minimise any chance of damaging the roots. If the roots have been growing in a circle or are all bound up you can tease them apart if you want but this is not essential. Similarly, you don’t need to remove any of the growing media. The Plant Company does not recommend cutting the roots, even if the plant is root-bound as this offers no benefit. This is explained in our article, Managing Rootbound Plants.

Now place the plant in the hole and make sure it is level with the soil surface before filling in around it. If it is above the soil surface, dig more out. If it is below, put in more soil and retest the level. Once the plant is set level with the soil surface, add more soil gradually and firm it around the plant using gentle pressure as you go. Scatter native plant fertiliser across the soil surface after planting and the give the plant a good watering.

How To Propagate Ake Ake

Ake Ake are easily from fresh seed. Simply place the seed onto well-draining potting mix, cover with a fine layer of vermiculite or sifted potting mix, and place in a warm spot. Ensure the tray does not dry out but also make sure the soil is not sodden. The seedlings should emerge in 2-3 weeks and be ready for transplanting at week 8.

What Soil Does Ake Ake Like?

Ake Ake are versatile plants that can tolerate a wide range of soil conditions, but they do prefer well-drained soils. They can be grown in sandy, loamy, and clay soils, as long as they are free-draining.

Where Do Ake Ake Trees Grow Best?

A full sun or partial shade position with good drainage and some shelter is essential for getting the best results with Ake Ake. In shaded conditions they tend to become “stretched” and somewhat spindly as the branches extend to chase light. On poorly drained soils they will struggle and may die a slow death due to a lack of air around the roots. The planting position should also be moderately sheltered which will help with establishment and the overall plant shape. The Plant Company recommends staking taller plants to offer support and to reduce any chance of wind damage.