Mountain holly
Olearia macrodonta · Asteraceae
📷 Ben Rushbrooke · CC BY-SA 3.0
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around mountain holly and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Foliage
- Evergreen, dark green, toothed and leathery
- Flowering
- May to July, small white flowers in clusters
- Adult size
- Up to 3 m tall, dense shrubby habit
- Hardiness
- Zone 8-9 (temperate climate, fears intense cold)
- Growth
- Moderate to rapid depending on conditions
- Origin
- New Zealand
- Ideal exposure
- Full sun to partial shade
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability medium.
Expert tips
The key tip
Robust and accommodating. Moderate watering, even chalky soil is fine.
The common mistake
Over-pruning or pruning at the wrong time (fall); this weakens it and reduces the following spring's flowering.
The pro's trick
Scratch the soil in April and add a handful of compost/organic matter: it'll bloom more densely and the foliage will gain extra shine.
Care
Exposure
Olearia dentata thrives in full sun for generous flowering. It tolerates partial shade but development and flowering will be less vigorous. Plant it sheltered from cold and desiccating winds, especially in marginal hardiness zones.
Watering
Keep the soil moist but well-drained, especially during the first year. Once established, this plant moderately tolerates drought. Reduce watering in winter. Avoid waterlogging which could cause root rot.
Soil and drainage
Olearia prefers light, well-drained soil that is slightly acidic to neutral. Enrich the substrate with compost at planting. Good drainage is essential, particularly in humid regions. Heavy and compacted soils should be improved with sand or organic matter.
Pruning and training
Prune after flowering (July-August) to maintain a compact habit and encourage branching. Remove dead or diseased branches. This plant tolerates moderate pruning but doesn't require drastic intervention if space allows.
Fertilizer
Apply a balanced fertilizer in spring to support growth. A single application is usually sufficient for an established plant. Avoid excess nitrogen which would favor foliage at the expense of flowering.
Pests and diseases
Olearia is generally not very susceptible to pests. In overly humid conditions, watch for fungal rot. Good drainage and sufficient foliage aeration prevent most problems. Regularly inspect the undersides of leaves if you notice suspicious symptoms.
Did you know?
Olearia dentata, native to New Zealand forests, owes its scientific name 'macrodonta' to its exceptionally toothed leaves. This plant was traditionally used by the Maori for its properties, and it remains a staple of temperate coastal gardens for its tolerance to wind and sea spray.
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.
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Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.