Hoheria: Planting, Growing and Caring

Botany

Hoheria comprises 8 species of columnar bushes or small trees, endemic to New Zealand. They grow in woodland understories, forest edges and along waterways. Although cultivated in Australia, New Zealand and Britain, in France they remain little known and very rare in gardens. Yet they possess fine ornamental qualities, with their generous summer flowering and toothed, generally evergreen foliage. Regarding hardiness, they tolerate temperatures around -8 to -12°C in well-drained soil, depending on the species. Hoheria sexstylosa is one of the most cold-resistant, tolerating down to -15°C.

Though still rarely cultivated in France, Hoheria includes many horticultural varieties (resulting from cross-breeding notably by British nurserymen). Cultivars of Hoheria populnea particularly stand out for their colourful foliage, often variegated with yellow or white. The superb variety ‘Glory of Amlwch’ arose from a natural cross that occurred in the village of Amlwch, North Wales, between Hoheria glabrata and Hoheria sexstylosa.

Hoheria lyallii: Botanical illustration

Hoheria belong to the Mallow family, Malvaceae. This family includes many ornamental plants such as hollyhocks, lavateras, altheas and hibiscus, abutilons, sidalceas… as well as lime trees and baobabs!

The name Hoheria comes from the Māori houhere. In English they are nicknamed lacebark and ribbonwood. Be careful not to confuse them with Homeria, small South African bulbous plants.

Hoheria have an upright, narrow yet very flexible habit. They typically reach 3-4 m tall, but can sometimes grow to 8 m, even 10 m in their natural environment. Hoheria sexstylosa ‘Pendula’ stands out with its weeping habit. Some species have decorative bark: this is the case for Hoheria sexstylosa, whose bark is adorned with white, brown and grey-green patches. Hoheria populnea, meanwhile, has exfoliating bark.

In summer, usually July-August, Hoheria produce abundant white flowering. The flowers measure 1-3 cm across, star-shaped with five petals and five sepals. They are inserted in the leaf axils and may be solitary or clustered. The flowers are hermaphroditic, bearing numerous stamens (male reproductive parts carrying pollen) and a pistil (female reproductive part receiving pollen) at their centre. The pistil is typically divided into five styles (six in H. sexstylosa).

The flowers are melliferous, attracting butterflies and bees that come to feed on their nectar, pollinating them in the process.

Flowering of Hoheria populnea, Hoheria angustifolia (photo: Chris Fort) and Hoheria lyallii

Most Hoheria are evergreen to semi-evergreen (they may lose leaves in harsh winters), but some species (Hoheria glabrata, H. lyallii) are deciduous. Hoheria glabrata foliage turns a beautiful yellow in autumn before falling.

Hoheria leaves are entire, undivided, ovate to lanceolate in shape, with attractively dentate or crenate lamina margins. They are alternate, inserted one after another on the stems. Juvenile leaves are sometimes lobed with metallic reflections, while mature leaves are dark green, often with paler grey-green undersides. Hoheria foliage is fairly ordinary, however Hoheria populnea comes in several colourful varieties: ‘Variegata’ has yellow-variegated leaves, those of ‘Alba Variegata’ are margined with creamy white, while ‘Purple Wave’ leaves are beautifully tinted purple underneath.

After flowering, capsules form which may be winged or not depending on the species. When growing conditions suit them, Hoheria tend to self-seed readily.

The crenate, cordate foliage of Hoheria glabrata, the lanceolate leaves of Hoheria lyallii and Hoheria populnea (photos: Krzysztof Ziarnek), and the fine, dentate leaves of Hoheria angustifolia (photo: André Chalmers)

The main varieties

The Most Popular Varieties

Hoheria sexstylosa Snow White

This is an evergreen bush with a conical, flexible habit, producing a multitude of lightly fragrant, star-shaped white flowers in summer. It is quite hardy, tolerating temperatures down to –15°C.

• Flowering time August, September
• Height at maturity 4 m

See the product sheet

Planting

Where to plant?

Hoherias thrive in maritime climates, mild and humid. They will do well along the Atlantic coast, particularly in Brittany and Normandy. They tolerate sea spray and can be used by the seaside to create a tall windbreak hedge. Regarding exposure, they prefer full sun or partial shade, in a spot sheltered from cold winds. If you live in northern France, you can plant them against a south-facing wall.

Hoherias like humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil. They tolerate most soil types, except heavy clay soils. As for pH, they appreciate neutral or calcareous soils but can also tolerate slightly acidic soils.

Hoherias can be grown as a free hedge, as standalone specimens, or in shrub borders. They are not suitable for container cultivation.

When to plant?

We recommend planting Hoheria in spring, once the risk of frost has passed. If you live in a mild climate region, you can plant it in autumn, around September.

How to plant?

1. Start by soaking the root ball in a basin of water to rehydrate it.
2. Dig a large planting hole, at least twice the size of the root ball.
3. Mix leaf mould and coarse sand into the planting soil (for drainage).
4. Place the Hoheria in the hole, ensuring it is centred and the trunk is straight.
5. Backfill the hole with soil.
6. Optionally create a watering basin to help water infiltrate around the base.
7. Water generously.
8. We recommend applying a layer of mulch around the base.

Hoheria lyallii

Maintenance

Continue watering during the first two summers in case of drought: Hoheria appreciates the soil remaining cool in summer. Do not hesitate to place a thick layer of organic mulch at its base (dead leaves, straw, wood chips…). This will help keep the soil cool while protecting it from the cold in winter (as its roots are shallow). If the Hoheria is still young, you can temporarily cover it with winter fleece in case of severe frost. Even if its shoots freeze, the stump of the Hoheria should produce new shoots in spring.

Hoheria does not require pruning, except if you notice damaged, poorly positioned, or frost-affected branches. In this case, carry out light pruning in early spring or late summer, once flowering has finished.

Hoheria is rarely affected by parasitic insects but can be attacked by rust, a fungal disease favoured by warm, humid weather. It is identified by discoloured spots on the upper side of the leaves, as well as orange-brown pustules on the underside and stems. This weakens the bush, limiting its flowering and growth. We recommend treating with Bordeaux mixture or sulphur. Feel free to consult our advice sheet “Getting Rid of Rust Disease”.

More seriously, Hoheria can sometimes be affected by coral spot disease. This is a severe fungal disease causing the dieback of shoots and branches, mainly affecting trees and bushes already weakened by injury or illness. Highly contagious, this disease spreads quickly from one plant to another. It is identified by the appearance of round pustules, 0.5 to 1 cm in diameter, pink or red in colour, later turning darker, on the bark. If you spot them, cut and burn the affected shoots, apply pruning sealant, and spray a fungicidal treatment such as Bordeaux mixture. As a preventive measure, remember to disinfect your pruning tools. For more information, check out our advice sheet “How to Prevent Coral Spot Disease?”.

Propagation

Hoheria can be propagated by sowing or by semi-lignified stem cuttings. Layering is also possible (air layering or ground layering).

Sowing

Sowing is carried out in autumn (as soon as the seeds are ripe) in a cold frame. It is easy to succeed and generally yields good results.

1. Prepare pots with special sowing compost, fine and light, then lightly firm and level the surface.
2. Sow the seeds by placing them on the surface.
3. Cover them with a thin layer of compost.
4. Water with a fine spray.
5. Place the pots in a cold frame, in a bright location but out of direct sunlight.
6. Continue to water regularly to keep the substrate slightly moist until germination. You can then space out watering.

Propagation by cuttings

Take semi-lignified cuttings in late summer, in August or September.

1. Select a healthy, semi-ripe stem (lignified at the base and soft at the tip), 8 to 10 cm long, cutting just below a node (the point where leaves attach to the stem).
2. Remove the leaves from the lower part, keeping only 2 or 3 at the top of the stem.
3. Prepare a pot with fine, light, and well-draining compost, then water to ensure it is thoroughly moist.
4. Insert the stem into the substrate.
5. Firm the compost gently around it.
6. Place the pot in a cold frame, sheltered from direct sunlight.
7. Ensure the substrate remains slightly moist.

Association

Thriving in maritime climates, Hoheria are perfect for coastal gardens. Pair them with other salt-spray tolerant bushes like Griselinia littoralis, the strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo), Pittosporum tobira, and the tamarisk with its countless delicate pink flowers. Consider creating a windbreak hedge using the dense evergreen foliage of Elaeagnus ebbingei or Olearia traversii. Coastal perennials like Eryngium maritimum, Delosperma, Armeria maritima, and agapanthus also make excellent companions.

Explore our advice sheet “10 Perfect Bushes for Coastal Gardens”, as well as our full range of coastal bushes.

You can pair Hoheria with coastal bushes and perennials. Agapanthus ‘Royal Velvet’, Hoheria populnea (photo Muriel Bendel), Escallonia rubra ‘Crimson Spire’ (photo Ben Rushbrooke), Olearia x haastii, Eryngium maritimum and Anthyllis barba-jovis

Hoheria also pair beautifully with summer-flowering bushes. Consider the long conical inflorescences of buddleias, the striking pink or mauve flowers of hibiscus, and the large spherical or umbel-shaped blooms of Hydrangea macrophylla. They also work well in mixed hedges alongside abelias, privets, chaste trees, rugosa roses, and spireas. For added charm, combine them with Eucryphia, lesser-known trees that produce exquisite white or pink, fragrant summer flowers.