Dodonaea viscosa Green Akeake / Green Hopbush is the straight species form of one of New Zealand's most enduring and versatile native trees, and the workhorse of the Akeake family. Featuring lush, bright green leaves held densely off upright stems, Green Akeake produces masses of small pink flowers in summer and grows to an impressive 4 m tall and 2.5 m wide all while tolerating conditions that would stop most plants in their tracks.
Its narrow, glossy green leaves can develop attractive bronze or purplish tones in cooler weather, while its papery hop-like seed capsules add year-round visual interest to the garden. It has bright green, long, thin wavy leaves, flaking reddish bark, and those characteristic papery winged seed capsules that catch the light and rustle in the breeze giving it a natural, tactile quality that few other natives can match.
Dodonaea viscosa - green ake ake
Botanical Name Dodonaea viscosa Māori Name Akeake Common Name Green Akeake, Green Hopbush Family Sapindaceae Type Evergreen shrub / small tree Form Straight species — green-leafed form Origin Native to New Zealand; also distributed across tropical and subtropical regions globally Mature Height Up to 7 m at maturity; approximately 2 m high x 2 m wide in 10 years Mature Spread Approximately 2.5 m Sun Requirements Full sun — does not perform well in shade Soil Prefers well-drained soil; tolerates poor, sandy, and coastal soils Flowering Spring–summer — small pink flowers Fruiting Summer–autumn — ornamental papery winged seed capsules, initially green maturing to golden-brown Wind Tolerance Excellent — tolerates coastal winds and salt spray Frost Tolerance Frost sensitive when young; protect during establishment Drought Tolerance Very good once established Growth Rate Moderate to fast — 30–60 cm per year in ideal conditions Toxicity Generally considered non-toxic to humans and animals Maintenance Very low — responds well to trimming Conservation Status Not Threatened
