Griselinia littoralis (Kapuka) – NZ Native Evergreen Tree for Hedging and Shelter

How to grow a Griselinia littoralis hedge

Growing an amazing Griselinia littoralis hedge 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. 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 hedge.

What is the Griselinia littoralis planting distance?

The planting distance for Griselinia littoralis when growing a hedge is 50 cm between the plants. 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. If you are wanting discrete plants, i.e., not a hedge, the recommended planting distance is five metres apart.

What is the Griselinia littoralis growth rate?

The growth rate of Griselinia littoralis 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 8 m tall and 4 m wide in about ten 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 8 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.

What height and size does Griselinia littoralis grow to?

Griselinia littoralis can grow to a height of 8 metres with a spread of 4 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 are the landscaping uses for Griselinia littoralis in NZ?

Griselinia littoralis is a popular choice in landscaping projects in NZ. 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. It is the gorgeous foliage and versatility of this plant that makes it a popular choice in landscaping.

Griselinia littoralis for sale

The Plant Company has the best Griselinia littoralis 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 Griselinia needs and impress you with both our products and service!

Griselinia littoralis problems and diseases

Griselinia littoralis can experience problems from time to time. The most common disease is root rot which is a fungal disease that thrives in waterlogged soil. It attacks the roots, preventing the plant from taking up water and nutrients. Symptoms include wilting, yellowing leaves, and dieback. To prevent root rot, ensure your Griselinia is planted in well-draining soil and avoid overwatering. Leaf spot is a fungal disease that causes dark spots to appear on the leaves. It's more common in humid conditions. To prevent leaf spot, ensure good air circulation around the plants and remove any fallen leaves. These two problems account for about 95% of the issues but are easily controlled or prevented.

Where to plant Griselinia littoralis?

Griselinia littoralis is best planted in full sun or partial shade on a well-drained site. We cannot emphasise enough the importance of good drainage as plants can become diseased and die if drainage is poor, they are waterlogged, or both. It will tolerate coastal environments, wind, and frost once established.