Griselinia littoralis 'Canterbury' Canterbury Broadleaf / Kāpuka is the standout cultivar for gardeners who want all the toughness of New Zealand's most trusted hedging native, paired with one of the most visually distinctive foliage combinations in the native plant world. With small, dark-green, glossy leaves with distinctive red stems, 'Canterbury' is a dense grower that can be easily clipped into various shapes, making it an ideal option for hedging and screening. A versatile NZ native cultivar, 'Canterbury' is known for its attractive dark red stems and finer, rich-green foliage, with a dense growth habit ideal for both formal and informal hedges and shrubberies.
Griselinia littoralis - Canterbury
Botanical Name Griselinia littoralis 'Canterbury' Māori Name Kāpuka, Pāpāuma Common Name Canterbury Broadleaf, NZ Broadleaf Family Griseliniaceae Type Evergreen shrub / small tree Propagation Cutting grown — consistent, uniform clonal cultivar Origin New Zealand native cultivar Mature Height Approximately 4 m at maturity; approximately 3 m after 5 years Mature Spread Approximately 2.5 m Sun Requirements Full sun to partial shade Soil Prefers well-drained conditions; tolerates most soil types — avoid waterlogged soils Flowering Late spring to mid-summer — small green-yellow flowers Stem Colour Distinctive red-brown stems — a key ornamental feature year-round Wind Tolerance Excellent — tolerates wind and coastal sites Salt Spray Tolerance Good — tolerates coastal conditions Frost Tolerance Very hardy — tolerates heavy frosts; a good option for colder climates Drought Tolerance Good once established Growth Rate Medium — reliable and consistent Maintenance Very low — tidy and compact habit requires minimal intervention Conservation Status Not Threatened Planting Tips: Plant in well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade. For hedging, space plants 50 cm apart for a dense, well-filled screen. Reducing spacing to 40 cm will help the hedge fill in more quickly. Water regularly through the first summer to establish, then reduce as the plant becomes drought-tolerant. Mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
Ideal Uses: Formal and informal hedging, shelter belts, coastal screens, mixed native plantings, and as a specimen shrub where its distinctive red stems can be appreciated up close. Particularly well suited to exposed, windy sites where other plants struggle — one of the most dependable low-maintenance choices available in native cultivar form.
How 'Canterbury' compares to 'Broadway Mint': Both are outstanding hedging cultivars, but they suit different tastes. Broadway Mint has larger, broader, brighter mint-green leaves on golden stems, bold and lush. 'Canterbury' is finer and more upright, with deeper green leaves on eye-catching red stems, its tidy and compact habit along with the contrast of the red stems makes for an exceptionally attractive plant.
Ongoing Care: Trim to shape after flowering to maintain a dense, tidy form. Canterbury tolerates any amount of pruning and will cope with almost any soil type or situation. Apply a balanced slow-release fertiliser in spring to support healthy growth, particularly in poor or sandy soils. Monitor for scale insects and leaf spot in humid conditions, both are best prevented with good drainage and air circulation.
