Hangehange

Scientific name: Geniostoma ligustrifolium
English name: New Zealand privet
Other names: Maori privet, papa

Tree (under 10m) - native to the Wellington Region
Suits: damp, dry, shade, partial shade, shelter, coastal forest garden, small garden or balcony, wetlands and water features

About Hangehange

Well known for its sweet fragrance during flowering in late spring from small green white flowers. Hangehange is regarded as a shrub up to 4 metres tall with lime green leaves and with slender brittle branches. Its is mainly found in some lowlands and coastal forests. The bright lime green shiny pointed oval leaves are 4-8 cm long and are soft, thin and shiny, giving it a "fresh" look in a coastal forest garden. The flowers give off a distinctive vanilla or hyacinth scent, which in evenings or still weather hangs in the air. The black fruit develops in late summer in a dry black capsule, splitting in two, revealing the small orange seeds.

Very popular in lush gardens and is  a common component of understorey and forest margins as it is a forest diversity plant, which means - to be planted when pioneer species have established or to be added beneath the existing canopy of plants.

Hangehange is also an important source of nectar and fruit for the native hihi.

Provides for birds