#lacebark

Plant of the Day

Saturday 14 March 2026

Through the window of this wonderful garden shelter in Edinburgh Botanic Garden, Scotland, can be seen the foliage of Hoheria 'Glory of Amlwch' (lacebark, New Zealand lacebark). This large semi-evergreen shrub is accepted as a hybrid between Hoheria glabrata and Hoheria sexstylosa. From mid-summer the stems will be crowded with pure white flowers.

With a background hanging valley and waterfall off in the distance. I probably should have framed the photo better.

AKA Mountain Lacebark, whauwhi, whauwhau.

The flowers, from near Aoraki/Mt Cook a few days later.

One of the very few deciduous trees in Aotearoa, found only on the South Island and mostly west of the main divide. Where it's creeped over onto the eastern side of the mountains it overlaps with Hoheria lyallii. It grows to about 10m in height, in open and disturbed habitat.

The fibrous underbark of both species - known collectively as Houi by the Māori and the source of the scientific name - was used as a textile.

The seeds are winged mericarps dispersed by wind, and the best method of propagation for the garden. An extremely attractive species, that prefers cooler climates, and damp soil in a sunny site.

Plant of the Day

Saturday 1 March 2025

Even in winter the foliage of Hoheria sexstylosa (ribbonwood, lacebark) provides interest. This upright, compact evergreen shrub is native to New Zealand. In summer there are fragrant, five-petalled white flowers borne in dense clusters.

The binomial is derived from the Māori name houhere, and the flowers having six (sometimes 5 or 7) styles.

Endemic to parts of New Zealand, but those parts don't include Dunedin, so this one may be an escapee from somebody's garden. Fully grown, the tree can be 18m tall, and 6 wide, with large white flowers. Most common in forests adjacent to rivers - which was the case here, next to the Leith.