Griselinia Bantry Bay

As an elegant, ornamental evergreen shrub, or as part of a hedge, Griselinia 'Bantry Bay' brings bright, year-round interest to the garden. Discovered as a natural sport in Ireland, this distinct cultivar is celebrated for its striking variegated foliage. The thick, leathery leaves are broadly oval and glossy, featuring a rich green outer margin that frames a large, creamy-yellow central splash. This shrub grows with a naturally neat, upright, and bushy habit, making it an excellent choice for structured landscaping. In late Spring, it produces small, inconspicuous yellow-green flowers that are largely hidden by the dense foliage, though they provide a useful food source for local pollinators. The flexible stems are covered in smooth, pale green bark that coordinates beautifully with the luminous leaves. As an Irish-selected variety of the New Zealand broadleaf, 'Bantry Bay' is exceptionally well-suited to mild, coastal microclimates. It possesses a superb tolerance for salt spray and strong sea winds, though it grows slightly less vigorously and requires a bit more shelter from severe inland frost than the purely green wild species. It responds beautifully to clipping, allowing it to be easily maintained as a pristine specimen or a bright, dense hedge.

Site: Tolerates coastal exposure
Soil: Adaptable to most light, fertile, well-drained soils; thrives in sandy or humus-rich ground but dislikes waterlogged clay
Position: Full sun or light partial shade
Season of Interest: Bright, glossy variegated evergreen foliage all year round
Hardiness: Hardy to -10°C
Height: 8-10ft (2.5-3m) Spread: 5-6ft (1.5-2m)
Hedging Spacings: Space 18'' (45cm) apart