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Trees

Corynocarpus laevigatus

New Zealand laurel

Large tree about 10-15m in the wild, shrubby in cultivation, with elliptic, leathery, dark green leaves to 20cm long. On mature trees small, greenish-yellow or white flowers are produced in upright, branched panicles, from spring to summer, followed by fleshy, ovoid, orange fruits ripening in autumn

Other common names

karaka
karaka nut
see moreNew Zealand church tree

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Ultimate height

Higher than 12 metres

Time to ultimate height

10–20 years

Ultimate spread

4–8 metres

Chalk

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Corynocarpaceae
Native to the UK: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Spreading branched, Bushy
Potentially harmful: TOXIC if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets: TOXIC if eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Genus: Corynocarpus is a genus of five species of flowering shrubs and trees which are native to New Guinea, Australia, New Zealand, New Caledonia and Vanuatu. The foliage is thick, smooth and glossy green or variegated, similar to laurel, with some species producing ornamental orange fruit in the autumn
Name status: Correct

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in sun or part shade. Suited to frost-free areas only. Grow in frost-free greenhouse or conservatory in a container of peat-free, loam-based potting compost in full or bright filtered light with good ventilation

Propagation

Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings with bottom heat in summer or propagate by seed in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Coastal
Cottage and informal garden
Patio and container plants
Sub-tropical

Pruning

Pruning group 1; plants under glass may need restrictive pruning

Pests

May be susceptible to scale insects and Glasshouse red spider mite

Diseases

Generally disease-free

Get involved

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