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Griselinia lucida

Akapuka, NZ Broadleaf, Puka, Shining Broadleaf

Griselinia lucida, also known as Puka or Akapuka, is a bold New Zealand native shrub prized for its large, glossy green leaves and distinctive tropical appearance. Naturally found in coastal and forested areas, it thrives in well-drained soils and adapts well to both epiphytic and ground planting. Its tolerance for salt-laden winds makes it ideal for coastal gardens, while its unique growth habit—often with exposed aerial roots—adds character to subtropical landscapes. A resilient, evergreen species, Griselinia lucida brings lush structure and year-round appeal to New Zealand gardens.

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Griselinia lucida (Akapuka) is currently unavailable, but we do have other other amazing species and varieties of Griselinia available.

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Why? Our plants are subject to seasonality and high-demand. Please contact us if you would like to know when it becomes available again.

Suited to regions:Subtropical, Temperate
Plant type:Shrubs
Height:5.00 m
Spread:2.00 m
Flowering time:Spring
Tolerances:Coastal, Hardy
Garden uses:Hedging, Living areas, Ponds, Pool areas, Screening
Garden styles:Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Formal, Frontyard, Modern, Native, Tropical
Easy to grow?Yes
Maintenance requirementsLow
Growth rateMedium
Also known asAkapuka, NZ Broadleaf, Puka, Shining Broadleaf
Sku10437

Griselinia lucida Care Guide

Griselinia lucida thrives in well-drained soil with full sun to partial shade exposure. While it naturally grows as an epiphyte, it adapts well to terrestrial planting in gardens. Water regularly during the establishment phase; once established, it is relatively drought-tolerant. Prune in late spring to maintain shape and encourage bushier growth. Apply a slow-release fertilizer in early spring to promote healthy foliage. Mulching around the base helps retain soil moisture and suppress weeds. This hardy shrub is resistant to most pests and diseases, making it an excellent choice for low-maintenance gardens.

What is the optimum Griselinia lucida hedge spacing?

Growing an amazing Griselinia lucida hedge starts with determining the optimum plant spacing. As a general guide, 50 cm between the plants is the ideal spacing for a Griselinia hedge. If you want the hedge to fill in faster, you can shorten the spacing to 40 cm. However, going wider than 50 cm will have two effects. The first is that the gap between the plants at the base will be harder to fill in and this can cause frustration. The second is that the plants will tend to grow wider rather than upward. At a closer spacing the plants compete for light, and in doing so, they push each other upwards. Therefore, The Plant Company recommends a 40-50 cm spacing to achieve an amazing Griselinia lucida hedge.

Griselinia lucida for sale

The Plant Company has the best Griselinia lucida for sale in NZ. Our production nursery specialises in growing amazing plants and our logistics team pack them carefully for our customers. The pricing is competitive and the quality is exceptional. Let us look after your plant needs and impress you with both our products and service!

What are the landscaping uses for Griselinia lucida in NZ?

Griselinia lucida is a popular choice in landscaping projects in NZ due to its large and lush foliage. It makes a wonderfully dense hedge and a fantastic screen, but also makes for a lovely specimen. It is also well suited to being a colourful backdrop for smaller plants. The foliage and versatility of this plant makes it a popular choice in landscaping.

What size does Griselinia lucida tree grow to?

Griselinia lucida can grow to a height of 5 metres with a spread of 2 metres. The plants can be trimmed to a smaller size and this encourages them to become bushier. This is one of the reasons why it makes for a fantastic hedge and screening plant.

What is the difference between Griselinia lucida and Griselinia littoralis?

Griselinia littoralis is the more versatile and commonly used species, particularly for hedging, due to its hardiness, dense growth, and smaller leaf size. Griselinia lucida offers a more tropical aesthetic with its larger, glossy leaves, but is less tolerant of harsh conditions, particularly wind and frost.

What is the Griselinia lucida growth rate?

The growth rate of Griselinia lucida depends on where it is positioned and how well it is cared for. In a warm climate with good growing conditions, it will grow to 5 m tall and 2 m wide in 8-10 years. Where anything impedes the growth such as drought, wind exposure, cold climates it will grow at a slower rate. While this tree can grow to 5 m tall, it is often clipped to smaller sizes and often into a hedge. Overall, the growth rate is considered medium-fast relative to other NZ native plants.

How to grow a Griselinia lucida hedge in NZ

Growing an amazing Griselinia lucida hedge in NZ starts with determining the plant spacing. As a general guide, 50 cm between the plants is the ideal spacing for a Griselinia hedge. If you want the hedge to fill in faster, you can shorten the spacing to 40 cm. Make sure you use a string line to get the hedge straight. Start clipping the hedge from a young age. Each time the tip of a branch is removed, the buds below it will sprout. The advice is therefore to trim little and often to achieve a dense hedge that is uniform and highly aesthetic. Finally, make sure the soil is well-drained otherwise all your efforts could be futile.

Questions and Answers

Have a question about Griselinia lucida (Akapuka)? We are here to help.

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