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griselinia lucida vs littoralis

If you’re wondering about choosing between Griselinia lucida vs littoralis for your New Zealand garden, you’re not alone. These two much-loved natives are both renowned for their lush, glossy foliage and resilience in a range of conditions—but they each bring their own distinct attributes. Selecting the right Griselinia can make all the difference in your hedge, shelter belt, or landscape design. Read on for a helpful comparison of Griselinia lucida vs littoralis, with guidance on planting, care, and how to decide which variety will best suit your needs.

Griselinia Broadway Mint hedge with lush, green foliage.

Griselinia 'Broadway Mint'

5 from 3 customers

Griselinia Broadway Mint, commonly known as NZ Broadleaf, is a fast-growing, evergreen New Zealand native shrub prized for its dense, glossy lime-green foliage and natural resilience. Ideal for hedging, screening, or coastal planting, this hardy variety thrives in various conditions and offers year-round colour with minimal maintenance. Whether you're creating a formal hedge or a wind-tolerant garden boundary, Griselinia Broadway Mint delivers vibrant structure and reliable performance across New Zealand landscapes.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Shrubs
Height: 5.00 m
Spread: 3.00 m
Flowering time: Spring
Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy, Wind
Garden uses: Hedging, Living areas, Parks, Ponds, Pool areas, Screening, Specimen
Garden styles: Alpine, Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Formal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Native
Griselinia littoralis plant with lush, green foliage.

Griselinia littoralis

4.7 from 3 customers

Griselinia littoralis, commonly known as Kapuka, is a popular New Zealand native shrub valued for its lush, glossy green foliage and dense, upright growth. It typically grows to 4–6 metres tall and is widely used for hedging, screening, and shelter planting. Kapuka thrives in full sun or partial shade and tolerates wind, coastal conditions, and moderate frost. This hardy evergreen is easy to maintain and adds year-round structure and greenery to NZ gardens.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Trees
Height: 8.00 m
Spread: 4.00 m
Flowering time: Spring
Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy, Wet, Wind
Garden uses: Hedging, Living areas, Ponds, Pool areas, Screening
Garden styles: Alpine, Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Formal, Frontyard, Modern, Native
Griselinia Broadway Mint hedge with lush, green foliage.

Griselinia 'Broadway Mint'

Griselinia Broadway Mint, commonly known as NZ Broadleaf, is a fast-growing, evergreen New Zealand native shrub prized for its dense, glossy...

From$16.13
Griselinia 'Canterbury' hedge with lush green foliage.

Griselinia 'Canterbury'

Griselinia 'Canterbury' is a compact New Zealand native shrub prized for its bright green foliage held on attractive red-brown stems. It forms a...

From$22.88
Griselinia 'Ardmore Emerald' hedge.

Griselinia 'Ardmore Emerald'

Griselinia Ardmore Emerald is a lush, NZ-native shrub known for its glossy, deep green foliage and dense, upright growth. It typically reaches 3-4...

From$22.88
Griselinia 'Gecko Green' plants growing as a hedge.

Griselinia 'Gecko Green'

Griselinia' Gecko Green' is an evergreen shrub with thick, glossy foliage that is deep green and held densely. It typically grows to 3 m tall and 2 m...

From$22.88
Colourful Liriope muscari 'Royal Purple' plants with purple flowers.

Liriope 'Royal Purple'

Liriope 'Royal Purple', commonly known as Monkey Grass, produces strap-like, dark green leaves that become adorned with masses of showy, deep...

From$18.83
Gardenia 'Veitchii' white flower against dark green foliage.

Gardenia Veitchii

Gardenia veitchii is a compact, evergreen shrub renowned for its intensely fragrant, creamy-white flowers, which bloom from spring to summer. Its...

From$26.93
Dietes iridioides (African Iris) flowers amidst dark green foliage.

Dietes iridioides (African Iris)

Dietes iridioides, commonly known as the African Iris or Fortnight Lily, is a hardy, evergreen perennial native to southern Africa. It features...

From$17.48
An elegant Gardenia 'Professor Pucci' white flower.

Gardenia Professor Pucci

Gardenia 'Professor Pucci' is a stunning evergreen shrub known for its exceptionally large, fragrant white blooms and glossy green foliage. Flowering...

From$26.93
Lomandra Lime Tuff in a garden showing elegant foliage.

Lomandra Lime Tuff

The optimum Lomandra Lime Tuff planting distance for the plants to merge and become an effective ground cover is 50 cm apart. However, they must be...

From$17.48
Muehlenbeckia axillaris growing as a ground cover.

Muehlenbeckia axillaris (Creeping Wire Vine)

Muehlenbeckia axillaris, commonly known as Creeping Wire Vine, is a hardy New Zealand native groundcover with wiry stems and small, dark green...

From$20.18
A large 'Ponderosa' Lemon yellow fruit.

Lemon 'Ponderosa'

The 'Ponderosa' Lemon is a remarkable citrus variety known for producing exceptionally large lemons, often weighing over a kilogram each. The fruit...

Griselinia 'Broadway Mint'

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Dietes, Gardenia, Griselinia, Lemon, Liriope Lomandra and Muehlenbeckia, or related Categories - Lemon Trees, Grasses, Groundcover Plants, Perennials Evergreen Shrubs and Evergreen Trees.

Search griselinia lucida vs littoralis

Key Differences Between Griselinia Lucida and Littoralis

While both species belong to the Griselinia genus and flourish in our Kiwi climate, their growth habits and ideal uses vary. Griselinia lucida, also known as shining broadleaf, is admired for its large, bright green, paddle-shaped leaves and more spreading, tree-like habit. It typically grows as a small tree or large shrub, adding a lush, native look to the garden. In contrast, Griselinia littoralis is the more commonly planted choice for hedging. Its smaller, oval leaves are a deeper green, and its dense, upright growth makes it perfect for creating privacy screens or windbreaks.

Growing Conditions and Site Preferences

A central consideration in deciding between Griselinia lucida vs littoralis is where you’ll be planting. Griselinia lucida prefers a sheltered, moist spot with free-draining soil. It tolerates shade well and copes admirably with coastal conditions, making it a smart pick for exposed sites where striking foliage is desired. Griselinia littoralis is hardier and tolerates wind, salt spray, and a wider range of soils—including more drought-prone locations. If your site is particularly tough or you’re after a low-maintenance hedge, littoralis is often the recommended option.

Uses in the Garden

Comparing Griselinia lucida vs littoralis, their best uses diverge. Griselinia lucida is ideal as a feature shrub, smaller screen, or foliage contrast in native borders, while Griselinia littoralis remains a favourite for clipped formal hedging, structured shelter belts, and large-scale plantings. For added variety, consider Griselinia littoralis variegata (Variegated Griselinia), which brings creamy-edged leaves to brighten shady gardens, or cultivar options like Griselinia 'Broadway Mint' and Griselinia 'Canterbury' for subtle differences in colour and leaf shape.

Choosing the Right Griselinia for You

Ultimately, the choice between Griselinia lucida vs littoralis comes down to site conditions, function, and personal preference. If you love bold, tropical foliage in a slightly wilder form, Griselinia lucida is a standout. For formal hedges or durability in challenging conditions, Griselinia littoralis is unbeatable. Explore our full range of Griselinia to find the perfect fit for your planting project and create a garden that thrives in every season.


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