Kōwhai
New Zealand's unofficial national flower - a semi-deciduous tree smothered in golden bell-shaped flowers from late winter into spring, a critical early-season nectar source for tūī and bellbird. Most garden forms reach 3-6m but some can grow taller, so check the specific cultivar before planting close to a house. Kōwhai moth caterpillars can strip foliage but rarely kill an established tree.
- Sun
- full sun
- Water
- moderate
- Spacing
- 300cm
- 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
- 8m
- Flowering season
- Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov
- Attracts wildlife
- Tūī, Bellbird/korimako, Kererū
- Evergreen
- No, deciduous
- Common pests
- Kōwhai moth caterpillar
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
Planting & establishmentFirst few months
- Water regularly through the first summer to help roots establish, this species has moderate ongoing water needs
- Choose a full-sun position and check the mature height of the specific cultivar before planting close to a house
Early growthFirst 1-2 years
- Check leaves for kōwhai moth caterpillars, which can strip foliage on young trees
- Being semi-deciduous, some leaf drop over winter is normal and not a sign of poor health
FloweringLate winter into spring (July-November, varies by region)
- Golden bell-shaped flowers are a critical early-season nectar source for tūī and bellbird, so avoid disturbing the tree during this window
- Heavy caterpillar damage can reduce flowering, so keep monitoring foliage as buds form
Maturity
- Established trees rarely suffer lasting harm from kōwhai moth caterpillars and need little ongoing care
- Continue to allow space for the tree's mature spread as it thickens with age