Olearia albida
Tanguru is a distinctive coastal tree daisy with broad spear-shaped leaves that have striking white felt-like undersides. This hardy native produces masses of fragrant white daisy flowers from late summer to autumn, making it invaluable for coastal gardens and as a late-season pollinator plant. Its exceptional wind and salt tolerance, combined with its attractive form and easy care requirements, make it an excellent choice for seaside landscapes. coastal plants
Image credit: Tanguru (Olearia albida). Wikipedia
| Scientific Name | Olearia albida |
|---|---|
| Māori Name | Tanguru |
| Height | 3-4 meters (up to 8m in nature) |
| Spread | Up to 6 meters |
| Water Needs | Low (drought tolerant once established) |
| Light | Full sun to partial shade |
| Frost Tolerance | Light frost only |
| Salt Tolerance | Excellent |
| Growth Rate | Moderate to fast |
| Lifespan | Long-lived perennial |
Tanguru is naturally endemic to the Northern North Island and thrives in coastal climates with moderate temperatures. It prefers cool to mild conditions and dislikes hot, humid weather. The plant is hardy in USDA zones 9-11 and tolerates light frosts but not severe cold.
| City | Climate Suitability |
|---|---|
| Whangārei | Ideal |
| Auckland | Ideal |
| Hamilton | Good |
| Tauranga | Ideal |
| Rotorua | Moderate |
| Gisborne | Good |
| New Plymouth | Ideal |
| Napier | Good |
| Whanganui | Good |
| Palmerston North | Moderate |
| Wellington | Good |
| Nelson | Good |
| Christchurch | Moderate |
| Dunedin | Moderate |
| Invercargill | Unsuitable |
Tanguru is adaptable to various coastal soil conditions:
Tanguru performs best with plenty of sunlight:
Drought tolerant once established with low water needs:
This versatile native plant offers multiple practical applications in landscaping and garden design, from providing ground cover and erosion control to creating habitat for native wildlife. The plant's natural characteristics make it valuable for restoration projects and sustainable gardening practices.
Tanguru benefits from light, regular pruning to maintain shape and encourage flowering:
The natural multi-trunked form is attractive and should be preserved. Focus on enhancing the plant's natural architecture while removing any crossing or crowded branches.
The best time to plant Tanguru is during spring or early autumn when temperatures are mild and rainfall is more reliable. This allows establishment before extreme weather conditions.
Choose a site with:
Water regularly during the first two growing seasons to establish strong root system. Once established, Tanguru requires minimal care and is quite drought-tolerant.
Tanguru propagates readily from fresh seed:
Semi-hardwood cuttings taken in late summer/early autumn root well:
Move young plants to final positions during mild weather, preferably in spring or early autumn for best establishment success.
Tanguru (Olearia albida) represents an important component of New Zealand's endemic coastal flora and holds cultural significance as part of traditional North Island landscapes:
Today, tanguru serves as an ambassador for New Zealand's unique coastal flora, demonstrating how endemic species can be successfully integrated into modern coastal gardens while maintaining their ecological and cultural significance. Its use in landscaping helps maintain connections to New Zealand's natural heritage while providing practical benefits for coastal property owners.
Tanguru is generally robust and has few serious pest or disease problems when grown in suitable coastal conditions. Most issues arise from environmental stress or inappropriate growing conditions.
To maximize the pollinator value of your Tanguru, plant it where you can easily observe the abundant bee and beneficial insect activity during its late summer flowering period. Position it near outdoor seating areas to enjoy the subtle fragrance of the flowers while watching the wildlife it attracts - you'll be amazed at the diversity of beneficial insects that visit these blooms during the crucial late-season nectar gap.
Learn more about the cultural significance of coastal plants in Cultural Plants.
This section provides important information about plant care and cultivation practices. Understanding these aspects helps ensure successful growth and development in garden conditions.
This section provides important information about plant care and cultivation practices. Understanding these aspects helps ensure successful growth and development in garden conditions.
This section provides important information about plant care and cultivation practices. Understanding these aspects helps ensure successful growth and development in garden conditions.
Olearia are distinguished by their daisy-family flowers featuring white to cream ray petals surrounding yellow disc centers, borne on shrubs or small trees with characteristic flaky, furrowed bark. Leaves vary greatly between species but are typically evergreen and often have white or silvery undersides due to dense hairs. The woody growth form is unusual among the daisy family, with some species developing substantial trunks and canopies.
Tree daisies play crucial roles as pioneer species in disturbed habitats and as shelter providers for other native plants in harsh environments. Their nectar-rich flowers support native insects including butterflies and bees, while their seeds provide food for finches and other small birds. Many species form dense thickets that create microclimates allowing more sensitive plants to establish beneath their protection.
This section provides important information about plant care and cultivation practices. Understanding these aspects helps ensure successful growth and development in garden conditions.
Olearia species are exceptionally tough plants that thrive in exposed, windy conditions and well-drained soils, making them excellent for shelter and establishing gardens in difficult sites. They propagate easily from semi-hardwood cuttings taken in autumn and fresh seed, though seed viability is typically short-term. Most species prefer cool climates and may struggle in hot, humid conditions, performing best with some protection from extreme heat.
Several Olearia species face significant conservation threats, with Hector's tree daisy (O. hectorii) having only around 4,500 individuals remaining in highly fragmented South Island populations. Habitat loss, browsing by introduced mammals, and competition from invasive weeds threaten many species, particularly those with restricted ranges. Climate change may further stress alpine and subalpine species adapted to specific temperature regimes.
This plant has cultural associations in Aotearoa and is valued in restoration and gardens for ecological services; use eco‑sourced stock near natural areas.
Olearia species were valued by Māori for their practical uses, with the strong, dense wood of larger species like akeake used for tool handles, weapons, and construction materials. The name "akeake" reflects the wood's hardness and durability, making it prized for fence posts and implements requiring strength. Some species provided traditional medicines, though specific uses varied among different iwi and regions.
Olearia have evolved remarkable adaptations including dense leaf hairs for protection from UV radiation and desiccation, and the ability to photosynthesize in low-light forest conditions. Their evolution from herbaceous ancestors to woody forms represents adaptation to New Zealand's forest-dominated landscape where height provides competitive advantage. Wind-dispersed seeds allow colonization of new habitats including disturbed sites.
Tree daisies occupy diverse habitats from coastal cliffs and rocky outcrops to montane forests and alpine shrublands, with different species adapted to specific environmental conditions. Coastal species tolerate salt spray and strong winds, while montane species like mountain holly thrive in cool, moist "cloud forest" environments. Many species are found along riverbanks and in areas with good drainage but consistent moisture.
