Griselinia littoralis

Griselinia littoralis, commonly known as New Zealand broadleaf or kapuka, is a popular evergreen shrub native to New Zealand. It is well-regarded for its rapid growth and dense, lush foliage, making it an excellent choice for hedges and screens. The leaves are large, leathery, and a vibrant apple-green color, which contributes to its appeal in garden settings for providing year-round color and texture.

In the garden, Griselinia littoralis is highly versatile. It's most commonly used to create fast-growing, effective privacy hedges or windbreaks, particularly in coastal areas where it exhibits high tolerance to salt spray. Additionally, its robust nature makes it suitable for urban environments, as it can cope well with pollution.

This shrub thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers well-drained soil but is quite adaptable to different soil types, including sandy and clay soils. It is also notably drought-resistant once established, which, coupled with its low maintenance needs, makes it an excellent choice for gardeners looking for a hassle-free planting option.

For hedging purposes, Griselinia littoralis should be planted about 1m apart to allow each plant enough space to develop fully while still creating a dense barrier. Regular pruning will help maintain its shape and promote thicker growth. The mature size of Griselinia littoralis can vary but typically reaches around 2-3m in height and can be easily maintained at a desired height and width with pruning.