fuchsia tree nz

Name: The Plant Company
Address: 284 Meeanee Road, Meeanee, Napier, 4112, New Zealand
Telephone: 0800 843 752
Price range: Contact Us
Rating: 4.8/5

Discover the unique beauty and native heritage of the fuchsia tree NZ gardeners love: Fuchsia excorticata, also known as the Tree Fuchsia or Kotukutuku. This striking native tree is celebrated for its vibrant purple, pink, and red flowers and its papery, peeling bark. As New Zealand’s largest fuchsia species, it brings dramatic colour and biodiversity to gardens, bush edges, and riparian plantings. If you’re searching for a way to enhance your landscape with year-round interest and support native birds, the New Zealand Tree Fuchsia is a standout choice.

Salvia excorticata (Tree Fuchsia)

Tree Fuchsia, Kotukutuku

Fuchsia excorticata, commonly known as Tree Fuchsia or Kōtukutuku, is a unique New Zealand native tree admired for its colourful, tubular flowers and peeling bark. It is the world’s largest fuchsia species, providing nectar rich blooms that attract native birds such as tūī and bellbirds.

Salvia excorticata (Tree Fuchsia)

Fuchsia excorticata purple-pink flowers on a branch.

Suited to regions:
All regions
Plant type:
Trees
Height:
8.00 m
Spread:
4.00 m
Flowering time:
Spring
Tolerances:
Shade
Garden uses:
Living areas
Garden styles:
Alpine, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Native

More species and varieties of Salvia

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Why Choose Fuchsia excorticata for Your NZ Garden

The fuchsia tree NZ gardeners seek offers so much more than just beautiful flowers. Fuchsia excorticata grows as a small tree or large shrub, typically reaching heights of 4-12 metres. Its gracefully arching branches are adorned with masses of pendant blossoms from spring through midsummer, attracting tui, bellbirds, and waxeyes. The berries that follow are a traditional food source for native birds and a special feature within any wildlife-friendly planting.

Unique among fuchsias for its tree stature, this species tolerates a range of soil types and can thrive in both semi-shaded and sunny spots. While Fuchsia excorticata is incredibly resilient and low-maintenance, it appreciates regular mulching and shelter from harsh winds in exposed sites.

Native Plant Combinations and Companion Planting

Fuchsia excorticata can be the centrepiece of a native woodland planting or paired with other striking trees like Acer palmatum 'Osakazuki', Magnolia Galaxy (Galaxy Magnolia Tree), and Cornus 'Eddie's White Wonder' for a blend of seasonal colour and texture. For groundcover beneath your fuchsia tree NZ garden, consider Fuchsia procumbens (Creeping Fuchsia) – another native with cheerful yellow and red blooms that complement the Tree Fuchsia perfectly.

Outstanding Selection for Bird-Friendly Gardens

If you want your garden to be a magnet for native birds, a fuchsia tree NZ-wide is an excellent choice. The nectar-filled flowers attract pollinators while the juicy berries are a favourite with kererū and tūī. Interplant your Tree Fuchsia with spring-flowering choices like Prunus cerasifera Nigra or the cascading beauty of Cercis Ruby Falls (Ruby Falls) for an inviting, multi-layered habitat.

Explore More Unique Fuchsias

Whether you’re captivated by the Tree Fuchsia’s native charm or are seeking even more variety, don’t miss our collection of vibrant fuchsias. Add a touch of cottage garden flair with Fuchsia 'Electric Lights', Fuchsia 'Carn Brea', Fuchsia 'La Campanella', or the enchanting Fuchsia 'Brookwood Belle'. Each offers unique flower forms and vivid colours for pots, borders, or woodland’s edge.

Create a garden that celebrates native heritage, supports wildlife and delivers year-round beauty with the iconic fuchsia tree NZ gardeners have cherished for generations.

Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.