Entelea Growing Guide

Whau

This is a genus of only one species and is native only to New Zealand.

E. arborescens is a broad crowned, large shrub in the UK but, in its native habitat, it grows into a small tree with very light wood which the Maoris use as floats for their fishing nets. 

This plant is frost tender and needs to be grown in full sun in a hot & sheltered location near the sea. The toothed and serrated leaves are not dissimilar to those of a mulberry, and the rounded hairy seed capsules would readily be mistaken for those which appear on Broussonetia papyrifera. The white flowers appear in September and are quickly followed by the fruits. The inflorescences are at the ends of the drooping branches in large clusters and have pronounced yellow stamens.

Is it realistic to try to grow this interesting tree outside in the UK? We have only just started to experiment, and it is certainly going to be borderline. However if we can get away with growing Mallotus, Tetrapanax, Oreopanax, Brachychiton populneus and Itoa, outside at Caerhays in recent years, it is not beyond the bounds of possibility as the climate changes.

Once the plants starts to set its 5 capsuled seeds, germination is relatively straightforward.

Images to be added.