Olearia virgata

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Olearia virgata
Light:Full Sun
Moisture:Mesic
Hardiness:7
Soil pH:5.6-8.4
Evergreen
Height:11'
Width:11'
Speed:Fast
Blooms:Early Summer
Native to:
Tea:Yes
Poisonous

Olearia virgata

Propagation: Seed - surface sow in early spring in a greenhouse. Do not allow the compost to dry out. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. If growth has been sufficiently good, plant them out into their permanent positions in early summer of the following year, otherwise grow them on for another year in pots and plant them out the following early summer.

Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 10cm with a heel, July/August in a frame. Pot up in late August and overwinter in a cold frame then plant out in late spring or early summer[1]. Good percentage[2].

Cuttings of moderately ripe wood of the current years growth, 5 - 10cm with a heel, November in a frame. High percentage[1].

Cultivation: Succeeds in any well-drained moderately fertile soil in full sun[3][4]. Thrives in a chalky soil[3] but prefers a light loam or peaty soil[2]. Very tolerant of maritime exposure[5].

Plants are fairly hardy in Britain, tolerating temperatures down to about -15°c[4].

This species is closely related to O. odorata[2].

A polymorphic species[6].

Plants flower best in years that follow long hot summers[4].

Very tolerant of severe pruning, this plant can be pruned right back into old wood in order to promote fresh growth[4]. Any pruning is best done in the spring[2].

Range: New Zealand.

Habitat: Lowland, shrubland and boggy ground, southwards from latitude 37°s on North, South and Stewart Islands[6].

Usage: Very resistant to maritime exposure and tolerant of severe pruning, this plant can be used as an effective windbreak hedge in exposed maritime areas.

Pollinators: Insects

Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.

Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.

Wind: Tolerates maritime wind exposure

In Leaf: Evergreen

Flower Type: Hermaphrodite

Links

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Sheat, Wilfrid. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. St Martin, 1948.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
  3. 3.0 3.1 Thomas, Graham. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray, 1992.
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
  5. Rosewarne Experimental Horticultural Station. Shelter Trees and Hedges. Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, 1984.
  6. 6.0 6.1 Allan, Harry. Flora of New Zealand. Government Printer Publications, 1961.