Dodonaea is a genus of shrubs and small trees usually grown as hedges or borders. These are excellent landscape plants that provide evergreen foliage and shrubby formation which makes them a good choice for hedges, screens, dividers or as wind-breakers in landscapes. Dodonaea is native to Australia and New Zealand though a number of species can now be found growing freely in tropical and subtropical climates of Africa, the Americas and Asia.

Flowers of Dodonaea grow in short racemes but are not usually prominent. The most cultivated species is Dodonaea Viscosa which is commercially sold as Hop Bush or Sand Olive. It grows as shrub or small tree up to 5 meters. Flowers are greenish yellow; leaves are long and elliptical. The wood is quite tough and durable and has been used to prepare tools.

Dodonaea Viscosa 'Purpurea', Image by Suzette Hosken

Dodonaea Viscosa ‘Purpurea’ is a popular variety and is grown as small ornamental tree or shrub. Leaves of this variety are purple or burgundy and add dramatic effect in landscapes. Dodonaea Viscosa ‘Purpurea’ makes an excellent ornamental plant for gardens and landscapes where it grows as hardy shrub. Being native to tropical and subtropical climates, Dononaea requires regular watering in a well-drained soil, and bright filtered sunlight to thrive.