Olearia gardneri (Gardener’s Tree Daisy)


Botanical Information

FamilyAsteraceae
GenusOlearia
Speciesgardneri
CategoryWoody
TypeShrub (deciduous)
OriginNative to New Zealand, often found on the South-Eastern part of the North Island.

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone9a - 10b
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness Zone7 - 8
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness ZoneH2 - H4
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)-5
Temperature (°F)20
Height7 m
Flowering PeriodOctober, November, December

Description and Growing Information

General DescriptionOlearia gardneri is a rare shrub with fuzzy seeds and small leaves. Its stems are flattened and red. It generally inhabits the southern river valleys of the North Island. It has thin oval shaped leaves with small white flowers appearing at the base of the leaves.
ID CharacteristicLayered branching, fuzzy seeds and small white flowers.
ShapeTall shrub (up to 7 m). Branches are narrow spread (resulting in a small drip line radius). Appears top heavy.
LandscapeCould potentially be used as an over-fence screen due to its high branches.
PropagationCan be grown from fresh seed when available. Hardwood cuttings will strike if the cutting was taken after the leaves have fallen and put inside a cold frame.
Notable SpecimensMasterton area office of the NZPCN (New Zealand Plant Conservation Network), Wellington Conservancy, The New Zealand Department of Conservation, and at the Mount Bruce National Wildfire Centre.
Bark/Stem DescriptionDark furrowed and fawn bark on the older branches and trunk. Younger branches have smooth dark redish-brown bark.
Flower/Leaf Bud DescriptionSmall scaled buds formed at the base of leaves. Light green in most cases.
Leaf DescriptionOvate leaves with palmate venation and cuticle on top side of leaves. Slight silver tint on under side. Leaves tend to be 10-15 mm long and 7-10 mm wide.
Flower DescriptionFlowers are sometimes solitary or appear in fascicles of 2-6. Its flowers are small and white.
Colour DescriptionDark brown bark. Rich green leaves. White flowers from October to December. No colour changes in leaves before dormancy period.
Texture DescriptionSmall smooth leaves while the bark is coarse on the trunk. The bark is much smoother on younger branches.

Photographs