Melicope

New Zealand’s Best Melicope Trees

Growing colourful NZ-native trees in your garden delivers a vast range of benefits:

• They are visual plants that add impact to a space
• They attract birds and bees
• Street appeal can be greatly enhanced
• They can provide shelter and screening
• Children can learn the plants and become more involved with nature
• These plants will bring you pleasure for many years to come

We have the largest variety of Melicope and the right one for your space. Our Wharangi have been selected to thrive in NZ’s climate. We grow and stock only the highest quality plants, sourcing them locally, and from NZ’s leading nurseries. Each plant is packed and transported with extreme care, ensuring it arrives to you in the same condition it was in when it left the nursery. If you are wanting to buy Melicope, shop with confidence from the best in the industry.

Common questions about growing Melicope

1. What is the common name for Melicope ternata?

The common name for Melicope ternata is Wharangi. It is a small, evergreen native tree to New Zealand. It has glossy, lime-green leaves and produces clusters of fragrant, cream-colored flowers in summer. The flowers are followed by black fruits which are popular with native birds.

2. What are the conditions for wharangi growing?

Wharangi (Melicope ternata) is a relatively easy-care tree that can be grown in a variety of conditions. However, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure that it grows and thrives.

• Wharangi prefer a well-drained soil. If your soil is heavy clay, you can improve drainage by adding sand.
• They can be grown in full sun or partial shade.
• Wharangi is sem-drought-tolerant, but it will benefit from regular watering, especially during hot, dry weather. Aim to water your tree deeply once a week.
• Wharangi is not a heavy feeder, but it can benefit from an application of balanced fertilizer in spring.
• Wharangi is relatively resistant to pests and diseases. However, it can be susceptible to scale, whitefly, and sooty mold. If you see any signs of pests or diseases, take steps to control them immediately.

Here are some additional tips for growing wharangi:

• Plant your wharangi tree in a location where it will be protected from strong winds.
• Mulch around the base of the tree to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.
• Prune your tree regularly to remove dead or diseased branches and to maintain its desired shape.

With proper care, your tree will grow into a beautiful and healthy tree that will provide you with many years of enjoyment.

3. How tall do wharangi trees grow?

Wharangi trees typically grow to be 5-8 metres tall, but can reach heights of up to 10 metres in ideal conditions. They are fast-growing and can reach their full height within 10-15 years.

4. What does wharangi mean?

The word "wharangi" has two meanings in Māori:

1. A native tree with shiny untoothed leaves dotted with fine glands, small green flowers and shiny black seeds in small dry capsules. Found in coastal and lowland forests of the North and northern South Islands. (Melicope ternata)
2. Bracken, a creeping native ground fern spread by underground rhizomes which were an important food source for Māori. Harsh fronds on smooth chestnut-brown stems. Very common in open places throughout Aotearoa/New Zealand. (Pteridium esculentum)

The two meanings of whārangi are related to the plant's use by Māori. The leaves of the Melicope ternata tree were used to make sweet-smelling hair oils and perfumes, while the bracken fern was an important food source.