Olearia arborescens
Tree Daisy, known as pekapeka in te reo MÄori, is an adaptable evergreen shrub or small tree with glossy dark green leaves and abundant white daisy flowers from spring to early summer. This hardy native species is found across a wide range of elevations from coastal areas to alpine zones, making it exceptionally versatile for different garden conditions. Its drought tolerance and resilience to hard pruning make it an excellent choice for low-maintenance native gardens. native shrubs
Image credit: Tree Daisy (Olearia arborescens). Wikipedia
| Scientific Name | Olearia arborescens |
|---|---|
| MÄori Name | Pekapeka |
| Height | Up to 4 meters |
| Spread | 2.5 meters |
| Water Needs | Moderate |
| Light | Full sun to partial shade |
| Frost Tolerance | Good |
| Salt Tolerance | Moderate |
| Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Lifespan | Long-lived perennial |
Tree Daisy is remarkably adaptable, growing from sea level to 1,200 meters elevation across New Zealand. It prefers cool climates and dislikes hot or humid conditions, making it well-suited to temperate regions throughout the country. Its wide natural distribution demonstrates exceptional climate adaptability.
| City | Climate Suitability |
|---|---|
| Whangārei | Good |
| Auckland | Good |
| Hamilton | Ideal |
| Tauranga | Good |
| Rotorua | Ideal |
| Gisborne | Good |
| New Plymouth | Ideal |
| Napier | Ideal |
| Whanganui | Ideal |
| Palmerston North | Ideal |
| Wellington | Ideal |
| Nelson | Ideal |
| Christchurch | Ideal |
| Dunedin | Ideal |
| Invercargill | Good |
Tree Daisy requires well-drained soils and is intolerant of waterlogged conditions:
Tree Daisy performs best in bright conditions:
Drought tolerant once established with low maintenance needs:
Tree Daisy is exceptionally resilient and tolerates hard pruning very well:
This species' exceptional tolerance to hard pruning makes it ideal for situations where dramatic rejuvenation or size control is needed. The natural form is attractive, but pruning allows great flexibility in garden design.
The best time to plant Tree Daisy is during spring when temperatures are mild and growing conditions are favorable. This allows establishment before the stress of summer heat or winter cold.
Choose a site with:
Water regularly during the first year to establish strong root system. Once established, Tree Daisy requires minimal care and is quite drought-tolerant.
Semi-hardwood cuttings provide the most reliable propagation method:
Seed propagation is possible but challenging due to low germination rates:
Move rooted cuttings or seedlings to final positions during favorable weather, preferably in spring or early autumn.
Tree Daisy (pekapeka in te reo MÄori) holds special cultural significance that extends beyond its botanical importance, representing themes of protection and spiritual guardianship in MÄori culture:
Today, Tree Daisy serves as a bridge between traditional ecological knowledge and modern horticulture, demonstrating how native plants can be successfully integrated into contemporary landscapes while maintaining their cultural and ecological integrity. Its exceptional hardiness and adaptability make it an excellent ambassador for New Zealand's native flora in garden settings worldwide.
Tree Daisy is generally hardy and disease-resistant once established in suitable conditions. Most problems result from inappropriate growing conditions, particularly poor drainage or overwatering.
Take advantage of Tree Daisy's exceptional pruning tolerance by using it for creative topiary or formal shaping projects. Its dense growth, glossy leaves, and ability to recover quickly from hard pruning make it ideal for geometric shapes or artistic forms. The white flowers provide a beautiful contrast against the sculptured foliage, creating a unique combination of formal structure and natural beauty.
Learn more about the cultural significance of guardian 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.
