Tree fuchsia

Scientific name: Fuchsia excorticata
Maori name: Kotukutuku
Other names: New Zealand fuchsia

Tree (10m - 15m) - native to the Wellington Region
Suits: damp, shade, partial shade, sunny, shelter, exposure, coastal forest garden, wetlands and water features

About Tree fuchsia

The worlds largest fuchsia! Great for attracting nectar-feeding birds like tui and bellbird, while fruit attracts birds like kereru and even weta who takes a major roll dispersing its seeds. The tree flowers early, producing nectar during late winter and spring and flowers on a bare branch before leaves are produced. Making this a very attractive tree.  The flowers are fist green blue changing coloration to red after its been pollinated and nectar is gone. 

The fruit (called konini by maori) is bean-shaped and dark purpleto black in colouration. Jam and puddings was made out of these by early settlers, unless the birds got them first. Trunk is often gnarly with loose bark, red to orange and papery, somtimes confused with manuka. This tree is very popular by possum and has died off on many locations. Tree fuchsia often in disturbed soils in shady spots, or found along rivers and creeks. The seeds are very easy to germinate!

Provides for birds