Griselinia littoralis Kāpuka / Broadleaf / New Zealand Broadleaf is one of New Zealand's most trusted, hardworking, and handsome native trees, and the backbone of countless hedges, shelter belts, and restoration plantings. Found throughout New Zealand in forests from sea level to 900 m, Kāpuka forms an attractively dense bushy tree with deep green oval leaves that are thick and very shiny. Hardy and tough, Kāpuka is one of the few green-leafed natives that does equally well on the coast and in alpine or inland situations. Its thick, leathery leaves withstand a fair amount of wind while still looking good, and the shrub itself grows large and round, very easy to keep compact and tidy with an occasional trim. Small cream flowers appear in spring, attracting native pollinators and providing a good source of pollen for bees, while in autumn the female trees produce small purple-black fruits that tūī love. Our Kāpuka is seed grown — an important distinction for ecological restoration and revegetation projects. Seed-grown plants carry greater genetic diversity than cutting-grown stock, producing trees that are more resilient, better adapted to local conditions, and of significantly greater ecological value to native wildlife and plant communities.
Griselinia littoralis - seed grown
Botanical Name Griselinia littoralis Māori Name Kāpuka, Pāpāuma Common Name Broadleaf, New Zealand Broadleaf Family Griseliniaceae Type Evergreen shrub / tree Propagation Seed grown — greater genetic diversity, ideal for restoration Origin Endemic to New Zealand — North, South, and Stewart Islands Mature Height Generally 4–8 m in coastal exposure; up to 20 m in ideal conditions Mature Spread Approximately 2.5 m Sun Requirements Full sun to partial shade Soil Prefers well-drained soil; adaptable to sandy and clay soils Flowering Spring — small cream to yellowish-green flowers Fruiting Autumn — small purple-black berries (female trees only) Wind Tolerance Excellent — tolerates rough winds, frost, and salt spray Frost Tolerance Very hardy — tolerates temperatures down to approximately −10°C Drought Tolerance Good once established Growth Rate Reasonably fast growing Maintenance Very low — stays looking great with just one trim per year Conservation Status Not Threatened Planting Tips: For hedging, plant approximately 1 m apart to allow each plant enough space to develop fully while still creating a dense barrier. Kāpuka is also a good upper bank plant for riparian plantings. 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: Hedgerows and shelter belts, revegetation plantings, mass specimen landscape plantings, and single specimen amenity plantings. Also excellent for coastal gardens, riparian margins, wildlife gardens, and as a formal or informal hedge. Its robust nature makes it suitable for urban environments, as it copes well with pollution.
A note on seed-grown plants: Seed-grown Kāpuka will display natural variation in leaf size, shape, and growth habit . This is a feature, not a flaw. That variation reflects the genetic richness of true wild-type stock, and is precisely what makes these plants so valuable for ecological restoration and long-term biodiversity outcomes.
Ongoing Care: Once established, Kāpuka is extremely low maintenance. It can be kept at any height by trimming and does not make a mess by losing lots of dead leaves. Prune in late winter or early spring to maintain shape. For hedges, regular trimming helps encourage dense growth and keeps the plant compact. Apply a balanced slow-release fertiliser in spring to support healthy growth, particularly if the soil is poor or sandy. Monitor for scale insects and aphids, particularly in humid conditions.
