Olearia cheesemanii
Cheeseman's Daisy is a rare and spectacular native shrub named after the renowned New Zealand botanist Thomas Cheeseman. This endangered species creates stunning displays of white daisy flowers that smother the entire plant in spring, making it one of New Zealand's most beautiful flowering shrubs. Naturally found in rocky river gorges, it faces threats from invasive weeds but thrives in cultivation, making it an important conservation species for gardens and restoration projects. It represents our rare collection of threatened species.
Image credit: Cheeseman's Daisy (Olearia cheesemanii). Wikipedia
| Scientific Name | Olearia cheesemanii |
|---|---|
| Height | 1.5-4 meters |
| Spread | 1.5-2 meters |
| Water Needs | Moderate to high |
| Light | Full sun to partial shade |
| Frost Tolerance | Moderate |
| Salt Tolerance | Low to moderate |
| Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Lifespan | Relatively short-lived |
Cheeseman's Daisy thrives in temperate New Zealand conditions, naturally occurring in river gorges from the Ohinemuri River to the Tararua Ranges in the North Island, and North West Nelson to Westport in the South Island. It prefers consistently moist environments with moderate temperatures and good humidity.
| City | Climate Suitability |
|---|---|
| Whangārei | Good |
| Auckland | Ideal |
| Hamilton | Ideal |
| Tauranga | Ideal |
| Rotorua | Ideal |
| Gisborne | Good |
| New Plymouth | Ideal |
| Napier | Good |
| Whanganui | Ideal |
| Palmerston North | Ideal |
| Wellington | Ideal |
| Nelson | Ideal |
| Christchurch | Good |
| Dunedin | Good |
| Invercargill | Moderate |
Cheeseman's Daisy has specific soil needs reflecting its river gorge habitat:
Cheeseman's Daisy is adaptable to various light conditions:
Moderate to high water needs reflecting its natural habitat:
Cheeseman's Daisy requires minimal pruning but benefits from light maintenance:
Given the conservation value of this species, focus on maintaining plant health rather than extensive shaping. The natural form is attractive and should be preserved.
The best time to plant Cheeseman's Daisy is during spring when soil temperatures warm up and growth begins, or in early autumn when temperatures moderate but soil remains warm.
Choose a site with:
Water regularly during the first year to ensure strong establishment. This species is relatively short-lived, so proper establishment is crucial for long-term success.
Growing Cheeseman's Daisy from seed is straightforward:
Semi-hardwood cuttings root easily:
Due to its threatened status, propagation for conservation is highly encouraged. Share plants with other gardeners and conservation groups to help preserve this beautiful species.
Cheeseman's Daisy holds special significance as both a botanically important endemic species and a tribute to one of New Zealand's pioneering botanists:
Today, Cheeseman's Daisy serves as both a beautiful garden plant and a symbol of New Zealand's botanical heritage. Growing this species helps preserve genetic diversity and honors the legacy of early botanists who documented our unique flora.
Given the conservation importance of this species, maintain optimal growing conditions and propagate regularly to ensure continuity. Monitor plants closely and address issues promptly.
To support conservation of this threatened species, consider joining or supporting local plant conservation groups. Take cuttings and share plants with other gardeners, botanical gardens, and conservation projects. By growing Cheeseman's Daisy in gardens, we help ensure this spectacular species survives beyond its threatened natural habitat. Every plant grown contributes to conservation efforts.
Learn more about threatened native species in Threatened Species.
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.
