Ake Ake
Our Ake Ake plants (also known as Dodonaea) are go-to choices for South Island gardens when you need fast shelter, year-round privacy, and low-fuss greenery that can handle the elements. Both Dodonaea viscosa (Green Ake Ake) and Dodonaea viscosa ‘Purpurea’ (Purple Ake Ake) are evergreen, naturally dense, and well suited to hedging, screening, and shelter planting. They’re also widely used in tougher spots like coastal sections, exposed boundaries, and dry, free-draining soils thanks to their strong tolerance of wind and dry conditions once established.
Which Ake Ake should you choose?
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Dodonaea viscosa (Green Ake Ake): A reliable green hedge and shelter plant that clips neatly and fills in well. Ideal for clean, simple screening and larger plantings where you want consistency.
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Dodonaea viscosa ‘Purpurea’ (Purple Ake Ake): Same tough, upright habit but with purple to bronze foliage (often richest in cooler weather), making it a great option when you want screening and colour. Commonly grown as a hedge or informal screen.
Why Ake Ake works so well in NZ landscaping
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Evergreen cover for privacy and shelter year-round
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Wind and coastal tolerance (great for salt-laden air in many sites)
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Drought-tough once established, making it practical for lighter soils and summer-dry gardens
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Responds well to trimming—keep it as a formal hedge, or let it grow as a more natural screen
Quick planting note for Ake Ake (helps reduce failures)
Ake Ake is generally happiest in free-draining soil and will grow best in full sun to part shade. In colder inland/frost-prone pockets, it can be worth giving young plants a slightly more sheltered start until they’re properly established.
