edenhana

Karo

A tough, salt- and wind-tolerant coastal shrub/small tree naturally found on northern coastlines, popular as a hedge or windbreak thanks to its dense, leathery, silver-backed leaves. Small dark red, honey-scented flowers appear in spring. Trims well into a formal hedge or can be left to grow into a small tree up to 6-8m.

Sun
full sun
Water
low
Spacing
80cm
Difficulty
beginner
Grows in
Whangārei / Northland, Auckland, Hamilton / Waikato, Tauranga / Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, Napier / Hawke's Bay, New Plymouth / Taranaki, Palmerston North / Manawatū-Whanganui, Wellington, Nelson, Tasman, Blenheim / Marlborough, West Coast, Christchurch / Canterbury, Dunedin / Otago, Invercargill / Southland
Mature height
6m
Flowering season
Sep, Oct, Nov
Attracts wildlife
Native bees
Evergreen
Yes
Common pests
Aphids, Scale insects

When to plant by region

In Whangārei / Northland, Auckland, Tauranga / Bay of Plenty, Gisborne and Napier / Hawke's Bay: March-April and September-November. In Hamilton / Waikato, New Plymouth / Taranaki, Palmerston North / Manawatū-Whanganui, Wellington, Nelson, Tasman, Blenheim / Marlborough, West Coast, Christchurch / Canterbury, Dunedin / Otago and Invercargill / Southland: September-November.

Growing stages

  1. Planting & establishmentFirst few months

    • Water while establishing, though this species copes well with low water once settled, especially near the coast
    • Full sun and an open, exposed position suit this windbreak species well

  2. Early growthFirst 1-2 years

    • Watch for aphids and scale insects on new growth, particularly on soft young leaves
    • Start trimming early if growing as a formal hedge, to encourage dense branching from the base

  3. Flowering & maturity

    • Small dark red, honey-scented flowers appear in spring on established plants
    • Continue checking for aphids and scale insects on dense hedge growth
    • Particularly valued as a coastal hedge for its salt and wind tolerance, though it's just as happy left untrimmed to grow into a small 6-8m tree if space allows

Similar plants