Griselinia lucida

What is the Griselinia lucida Akakpuka plant and how do I grow it?

The common name for Griselinia lucida is Akapuka, hence why it is often referred to as the Griselinia lucida Akapuka plant. It is a NZ native, evergreen shrub that features large and glossy, green leaves held somewhat densely. Small, green flowers in spring are followed by berries that ripen to dark purple and are great for attracting birds. It typically grows to 5 m high and 2 m wide and can be trimmed as necessary. This variety grows best in full sun or partial shade on a well-drained site. It is tolerant of coastal conditions but does need frost protection when young. The Griselinia lucida Akapuka plant is commonly added to coastal plantings, included in a tropical garden, or clipped into a hedge.

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.