Houhere (lacebark)
A fast-growing small tree named for its papery, peeling bark, smothered in masses of white star-shaped flowers in late summer/early autumn - a good late-season nectar source for bees. Reaches 8-12m. Naturally found from the far north to the Bay of Plenty and is more frost-tender than some other lacebark species, so no Canterbury/Otago planting window is listed here.
- Sun
- full sun
- Water
- moderate
- Spacing
- 300cm
- Difficulty
- intermediate
- Grows in
- Whangārei / Northland, Auckland, Hamilton / Waikato, Tauranga / Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, Napier / Hawke's Bay, New Plymouth / Taranaki, Palmerston North / Manawatū-Whanganui, Wellington, Nelson, Tasman
- Mature height
- 10m
- Flowering season
- Jan, Feb, Mar
- Attracts wildlife
- Bees, Native bees, Silvereye/tauhou
- Evergreen
- Yes
- Common pests
- Passionvine hopper
When to plant by region
In Whangārei / Northland, Auckland, Tauranga / Bay of Plenty, Gisborne and Napier / Hawke's Bay: March-April and September-November. In Hamilton / Waikato, New Plymouth / Taranaki, Palmerston North / Manawatū-Whanganui, Wellington, Nelson and Tasman: September-November.
Growing stages
Planting & establishmentFirst few months
- Full sun suits this fast-growing small tree well
- Frost-tender, which is why no Canterbury or Otago planting window is listed
Early growthFirst 1-2 years
- Watch for passionvine hopper on new growth
- Fast growth means shape and structure can be guided early while stems are still flexible
- Distinctive papery, peeling bark starts to show as the trunk develops
FloweringJanuary-March
- Masses of white star-shaped flowers appear in late summer/early autumn, a good late-season nectar source for bees and native bees
- Silvereye are also drawn to the flowering canopy
- Continue checking for passionvine hopper
Maturity
- Reaches 8-12m at maturity
- Papery, peeling bark is fully on display on established trunks