Griselinia littoralis 'Broadway Mint' Broadway Mint Broadleaf / Kāpuka is New Zealand's premier hedging cultivar, and one of the most popular and widely planted native shrubs in the country for good reason. With rich green, oval, leathery, and glossy leaves with wavy edges and golden stems, this is a dense grower that can be easily clipped into various shapes, making it an exceptionally versatile option for a wide range of garden styles. Broadway Mint is a robust evergreen shrub celebrated for its brilliant slightly wavy foliage — ideal for creating hedges, and equally effective in mass plantings for a dramatic effect or in mixed borders to add height and interest. Its lush green leaves make it a standout whether as a focal point or a complementary backdrop.
Griselinia littoralis - broadway mint
Botanical Name Griselinia littoralis 'Broadway Mint' Māori Name Kāpuka, Pāpāuma Common Name Broadway Mint Broadleaf, NZ Broadleaf Family Griseliniaceae Type Evergreen shrub / small tree Propagation Cutting grown — consistent, uniform hedging cultivar Origin New Zealand native cultivar Mature Height 4 m expected in average NZ conditions over 5–10 years; up to 5 m in ideal conditions Mature Spread Approximately 2 m Sun Requirements Full sun to partial shade Soil Grows in most soil types; prefers well-drained conditions — avoid waterlogged soils Flowering Late spring to mid-summer — small green-yellow flowers Wind Tolerance Excellent — tolerates exposed and coastal sites Salt Spray Tolerance Good Frost Tolerance Very hardy — tolerates very hard frosts Drought Tolerance Good once established Growth Rate Medium-fast relative to other NZ native plants Maintenance Very low — forms a lush, tidy plant that can be clipped to shape and establishes easily Conservation Status Not Threatened Planting Tips: For hedging, the recommended spacing is 50 cm between plants. If you want the hedge to fill in faster, shorten the spacing to 40 cm. Going wider than 50 cm will cause gaps at the base that are harder to fill and can cause plants to spread wide rather than grow upright. Plant in well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade, water regularly through the first summer, and mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
Ideal Uses: Broadway Mint makes a beautiful hedge, a fantastic screen, and a lovely specimen or a colourful backdrop for smaller plants. Suitable for coastal gardens, residential and commercial landscapes, and works well in formal or contemporary garden designs. Also excellent for shelter belts, wildlife gardens, and riparian margins.
Ongoing Care: Regularly trim to maintain shape and encourage bushy growth. Prune in late winter or early spring, removing any dead or damaged branches. Apply a balanced fertiliser in early spring to support healthy growth, with an additional feed in midsummer being beneficial. Ensure consistent watering during the establishment phase — typically the first year after planting. Monitor for root rot in wet conditions, and leaf spot fungus in humid environments — both are best prevented by ensuring good drainage and air circulation.
