Dodonea Viscosa Purple - Purple Ake Ake is a stunning NZ native feature tree or hedge.  The colour is a deep dark purple-red.  The colour varies depending on climate, soil type and conditions.  It seems to thrive in poor conditions, producing some of it's best colouring in poor soil and dry conditions.   All the colour variations are spectacular from bright vivid red, to deep dark maroon-purple.

 The trunk and branches of this tree are also interesting with a very rusticated and rough look.  Thebark looks aged, and the way this tree grows gives it a very gnarled and weathered look.  This makes it at home in very rough seaside and windy locations.  It can also be grown in inland or damper locations with moderate climates.  It will withstand light to moderate frosts, and can certainly handle anything around the coasts.  It is not recommended for inland locations where very harsh frosts are experienced.

Left alone Ake Ake will grow into quite a large tree, reasonably quickly.  It responds beautifully to clipping and can be easily formed into a sculpted smaller tree which will have a very distinctive look full of character.

Ake Ake also responds well to regular clipping and it is very popular formed into a large or small hedge.   It makes a very tough hedge, and because of the colour is very impressive.