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

red akeake

Red akeake is one of New Zealand’s most striking native shrubs, admired for its stunning bronze, burgundy, and deep red foliage. This eye-catching plant, also known as Dodonaea viscosa ‘Purpurea’, brings vivid color and texture to gardens year-round. Whether as a statement specimen, an attractive hedge, or a windbreak, red akeake is a versatile and hardy choice for home and commercial landscapes. Discover the advantages of growing red akeake, how to care for it, and creative ways to incorporate this native beauty into your outdoor space.

Callistemon 'Red Alert'

Callistemon 'Red Alert' is a compact evergreen shrub admired for its brilliant red bottlebrush flowers that appear from spring into summer. The vivid blooms create a bold splash of colour against fine green foliage and attract birds to the garden. Well suited to New Zealand conditions, this hardy and reliable variety adds strong visual impact, making it ideal for borders, low hedging, and sunny feature plantings.

Buy Callistemon 'Red Alert'

From $26.93

Suited to regions: All regions

Plant type: Shrubs

Height: 2.00 m

Spread: 2.00 m

Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy, Wind

Garden uses: Hedging, Living areas, Pool areas

Garden styles: Alpine, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Formal, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern

Peperomia clusiifolia

Peperomia clusiifolia, commonly known as the Jelly Plant, is a popular and easy to grow indoor plant. It produces short stems carrying thick and glossy leaves that are variegated cream, green, and red, and typically grows to 30 cm tall and 25 cm wide. Peperomia clusiifolia is commonly grown indoors in an office or the like where a fresh, delightful, and elegant plant is required.

Buy Peperomia clusiifolia

From $33.68

Suited to regions: Subtropical

Plant type: Indoor Plants

Height: 30 cm

Spread: 25 cm

Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Pool areas

Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Tropical

What Makes Red Akeake Special?

Red akeake stands out for its narrow, wavy-edged leaves that emerge bright green and mature to rich shades of red, bronze, and purple. This color intensifies in winter, offering a dramatic pop even when many other plants are dormant. As a fast-growing evergreen, red akeake is wind, drought, and coastal tolerant, making it suitable for exposed New Zealand gardens. It thrives in a range of soils and copes well with regular trimming, making it ideal for topiary and formal hedging.

How to Grow and Care for Red Akeake

Red akeake prefers full sun to part shade, where its foliage develops the richest hue. Plant in well-drained soil and water regularly while young to establish strong roots. Once established, red akeake is exceptionally low maintenance. Prune lightly in late summer or autumn to shape the plant or encourage bushiness. It will tolerate dry spells and salt-laden air, perfect for coastal gardens. Adding mulch around the base will preserve moisture and suppress weeds, helping your red akeake thrive.

Landscaping With Red Akeake

This native shrub is wonderfully adaptable. Use red akeake to create a formal hedge, as a shelterbelt, or as a bold specimen to anchor a garden bed. Its unique coloring pairs well with silvers, greens, and golds, so consider planting alongside natives or contrasting shrubs for a dynamic look. If you love colorful foliage, you may also enjoy Peperomia clusiifolia, a vibrant indoor plant, or leafy garden companions like Leucothoe axillaris Curly Red.

Companion Planting for Year-Round Interest

To create a garden brimming with color, texture, and birdlife, red akeake combines beautifully with both native and exotic species. For extra bursts of red, consider planting with Callistemon 'Red Alert' and Callistemon 'Rocky Rambler' (Red Bottlebrush), which add stunning red flowers and attract nectar-feeding birds. For continual blooms, underplant with Potentilla Double Red (Red Potentilla), creating a lively and layered landscape.

Why Choose Red Akeake for Your Garden?

Bringing structure, color, and resilience, red akeake is a true asset to New Zealand gardens. Its year-round foliage, adaptability, and minimal care need make it a favorite for both novice and experienced gardeners. Add red akeake to your planting palette and enjoy a beautiful, low-maintenance feature that enhances your landscape every season.

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.