Elaeocarpus hookerianus
Elaeocarpus hookerianus · Elaeocarpaceae
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around elaeocarpus hookerianus and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Flowering
- Spring to early summer, white or cream flowers in clusters
- Mature size
- 8 to 15 m in height, upright and branched habit
- Growth
- Moderate to rapid under favorable conditions
- Hardiness
- Tropical to subtropical plant, sensitive to cold
- Origin
- New Zealand and South Pacific regions
- Soil type
- Well-drained, rich in organic matter
Care
Watering
Keep the soil regularly moist during active growth, particularly in dry or hot periods. Reduce watering in winter, but never let the substrate dry out completely. Avoid stagnant water which promotes root rot.
Light and Exposure
Place your Elaeocarpus hookerianus in full sun or partial shade to achieve abundant flowering and dense foliage. Insufficient light slows growth. In very hot climates, light afternoon shade can prevent leaf scorch.
Soil and Potting Mix
Prepare a well-drained substrate enriched with humus and organic matter. Adding compost or peat improves moisture retention while promoting drainage. Avoid compacted or chalky soils, as this species prefers slightly acidic to neutral pH.
Fertilization
Apply balanced fertilizer in spring and summer, approximately every two to three months. Choose a formula rich in potassium to support flowering. Reduce applications in autumn and stop in winter.
Pruning and Maintenance
Perform light pruning after flowering to maintain a harmonious shape and encourage branching. Remove dead, diseased, or crossing branches. Avoid severe pruning which exhausts the tree.
Pests and Diseases
Watch for scale insects, mites, and whiteflies, particularly indoors or in warm climates. Fungal rot is favored by excessive humidity. Ensure good air circulation and avoid wetting the foliage.
Did you know?
Elaeocarpus hookerianus is remarkable for its distinctive blue-violet ornamental fruits, which persist long on the tree and attract frugivorous birds. In New Zealand, this tree was traditionally valued by the Maori for the quality of its wood and its ability to transform coastal landscapes into dense and protective forest zones.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Chilean Lantern TreeCrinodendron hookerianum
- Elaeocarpus reticulatusElaeocarpus reticulatus
- Tetratheca junceaTetratheca juncea
- WineberryAristotelia serrata
- Tetratheca ciliataTetratheca ciliata
- Elaeocarpus dentatusElaeocarpus dentatus
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.