CALDCLUVIA ROSIFOLIA / ACKAMA ROSAEFOLIA (MAKAMAKA)

 If you have a damp area in a sunny or semi shaded spot, in a small garden, or even an area that needs an under-story of trees, this beautifully elegant small tree is for you.  In full sun it will grow to 3-4 metres and spread to 2.5m. In the shade it will stretch even higher, up to 5-6 metres.

The makamaka is a naturally bushy plant but some will develop a single leader.  It can be pruned carefully to shape if necessary but it does not normally require pruning.

The soft leaves are made up of fine toothed leaflets that branch off the main rib in pairs.  The underside of the leaves are a lovely soft maroon pink shade and add to the look of the tree when there is a slight breeze or when you are lying underneath in relax mode!.

Not all strains of makamaka have the coloured underside so check before you buy.  (Our plants are the coloured strain)

Small cream flowers occur in large panicles in spring (see photo) and look amazing hanging from the tree in clusters, sometimes almost smothering tree in a soft cloud. These are followed in late spring early summer by small reddish pink berries the same colour as the underside of the leaves.

Makamaka is normally found in Northland on stream edges and bush margins so is frost tender when young and needs protection from strong winds.  In saying that, the one we have planted up the driveway has been exposed to extremely strong winds this spring (haven't we all) and is still looking healthy.

It will not tolerate dry soil at all, and will be the first to wilt in a dry summer, so either plant in a damp site or mulch with thick layers of wet newspaper and spread mulch or compost/ on top.

Happy planting!