Olearia ilicifolia
Hakeke, also known as Mountain Holly, is a distinctive native tree daisy easily recognized by its holly-like leaves with jagged, spiny margins. This hardy species produces clusters of musky-scented white daisy flowers and is widely distributed throughout New Zealand's subalpine shrublands and forests. With its unique undulating, serrated leaves and tolerance for challenging mountain conditions, Hakeke is excellent for cool climate gardens and provides important habitat for native moths. It belongs to our diverse collection of native shrubs.
Image credit: Hakeke (Olearia ilicifolia). Wikipedia
| Scientific Name | Olearia ilicifolia |
|---|---|
| Māori Name | Hakeke |
| Height | 3-6 meters |
| Spread | 2-3 meters |
| Water Needs | Moderate to high |
| Light | Full sun to partial shade |
| Frost Tolerance | Very high (subalpine species) |
| Salt Tolerance | Low to moderate |
| Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Lifespan | Long-lived perennial |
Hakeke thrives in cool, moist climates and is widely distributed from lowland to subalpine environments throughout New Zealand. It performs best in cool conditions and dislikes hot, humid weather, making it ideal for montane and southern regions with consistent moisture and moderate temperatures.
| City | Climate Suitability |
|---|---|
| Whangārei | Moderate |
| Auckland | Moderate |
| Hamilton | Good |
| Tauranga | Moderate |
| Rotorua | Ideal |
| Gisborne | Moderate |
| New Plymouth | Ideal |
| Napier | Good |
| Whanganui | Good |
| Palmerston North | Ideal |
| Wellington | Ideal |
| Nelson | Ideal |
| Christchurch | Ideal |
| Dunedin | Ideal |
| Invercargill | Ideal |
Hakeke has specific soil needs for optimal growth:
Hakeke adapts to various light conditions:
Moderate to high water needs for healthy growth:
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.
Hakeke generally requires minimal pruning and maintains an attractive natural form:
The natural spreading form is attractive and should be preserved. Pruning should focus on plant health rather than extensive shaping.
The best time to plant Hakeke is during spring when temperatures are moderate and growth begins, or in early autumn when soil is warm but conditions are cooling.
Choose a site with:
Water consistently during establishment, never allowing soil to dry out completely. Hakeke is sensitive to drought and requires consistent moisture to thrive.
Growing Hakeke from seed is straightforward:
Semi-hardwood cuttings root easily:
Move young plants to final positions when well-established, ensuring consistent moisture during the transition period.
Hakeke represents an important component of New Zealand's montane flora, with deep connections to both Māori culture and the unique ecosystems of the country's mountain regions:
Today, Hakeke is valued for its unique ornamental qualities and ecological importance, particularly in cool climate gardens where its distinctive foliage and hardy nature make it an excellent choice for sustainable landscaping.
Hakeke is generally robust when grown in suitable cool, moist conditions. Most problems arise from environmental stress, particularly drought or excessive heat.
Take advantage of Hakeke's natural tendency to hybridize by planting it near other Olearia species like O. arborescens. The resulting hybrids (O. ×macrodonta) often display intermediate characteristics and can be fascinating additions to native plant collections. The distinctive spiny leaves also make excellent textural contrasts in mixed native plantings, especially effective when backlit by morning or evening sun.
Learn more about the cultural significance of native shrubs 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.
