Rewarewa (New Zealand honeysuckle) Knightia excelsa
Rewarewa (New Zealand honeysuckle) (Knightia excelsa) is an evergreen perennial tree in the Proteaceae family, native to North Island, New Zealand (endemic). It grows 15–30 m (49–98 ft) tall and 3–6 m (10–20 ft) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -4 °C (25 °F). Space plants about 5 m (16 ft) apart.
Plan Rewarewa (New Zealand honeysuckle) in your garden →
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Rewarewa (New Zealand honeysuckle) at a glance
| Type | Perennial tree, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Proteaceae |
| Mature height | 15–30 m (49–98 ft) |
| Mature spread | 3–6 m (10–20 ft) |
| Spacing | 5 m (16 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 5 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 4.5–6.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -4 °C (25 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 9) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 30 °C (86 °F) |
| Flowering | from about October for 4–7 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | North Island, New Zealand (endemic) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇳🇿 New Zealand |
Is Rewarewa (New Zealand honeysuckle) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Rewarewa (New Zealand honeysuckle)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
Questions about Rewarewa (New Zealand honeysuckle)
- How far apart should I plant Rewarewa (New Zealand honeysuckle)?
- About 5 m (16 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 3–6 m (10–20 ft).
- Does Rewarewa (New Zealand honeysuckle) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Rewarewa (New Zealand honeysuckle) need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Rewarewa (New Zealand honeysuckle)?
- It tolerates about -4 °C (25 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9.
- When does Rewarewa (New Zealand honeysuckle) flower?
- From about October for 4–7 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Rewarewa (New Zealand honeysuckle) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
- What grows well with Rewarewa (New Zealand honeysuckle)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Rewarewa (New Zealand honeysuckle). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- New Zealand Plant Conservation Network: flora, NZPCN
- Flora of New Zealand and Ngā Tipu Whakaoranga (Māori plant use), Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research
Notes and assumptions
- A narrow columnar tree with stiff toothed leaves and velvety red bottlebrush flowers rich in nectar (rewarewa honey).
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Macadamia Macadamia integrifolia
- King protea Protea cynaroides
- Pincushion protea Leucospermum cordifolium
- Rosemary grevillea Grevillea rosmarinifolia
- Coast banksia Banksia integrifolia
- Waratah Telopea speciosissima
- Silver tree (witteboom) Leucadendron argenteum
- Oleander-leaf protea Protea neriifolia