Apodasmia similis (oioi, joint rush)

An attractive wetland reed with fine grey-green leaves and brownish bracts at the joints. Popular structural landscaping plant. A great option for mass planting on wet or coastal sites, growing in extremes of wind and salt.

Habitat: Mostly coastal in estuaries, saltmarshes, dunes and sandy flats and hollows. Occasionally inland in gumland scrub, along lake margins, fringing peat bogs or surrounding hot springs.

Flowering: October - December
Fruiting:    December - March

Aristotelia serrata (makomako, wineberry)

Fast-growing, small deciduous tree. Attractive rose-coloured flowers in spring. Black berries in summer are highly sought after by native birds. Good shade tree in sheltered areas. Frost-tender when young, however hardy once mature.

Habitat: Lowland to montane forests. Often forming dense thickets following disturbance.

Flowering: September to December
Fruiting:    January to March [Fruit: Black]

Astelia fragrans (kakaha, bush lily)

One of the most common species of Astelia growing throughout New Zealand. It has attractive broad green flax-like leaves, stiffly arched and the ribs are often reddish. It has scented flowers in Spring. When the berries mature, they turn orange. Best in sheltered semi-shade.

Habitat: Found throughout the country on the forest floor amongst native bush.

Flowering: October - November
Fruiting:    December - May [Fruit: Orange]

Astelia nervosa (mountain astelia) [Out of Stock]

A bold clump of long silver-green leaves, dramatic form for a pot or alpine garden. Leaves bronze with the cold. Small spikes of yellowish flowers are followed by orange berries. Plant so that it does not dry out. Hardy, grows in sun or shade.

Habitat: Found on mountainsides in damp grasslands, herbfields and fellfields between 700 and 1,400m.

Flowering: November to January
Fruiting:    March to May [Fruit: Orange]

Carmichaelia australis (makaka, native broom)

An erect bush with tiny inconspicuous leaves and mauve flowers in spring. Stems are flattened. Attractive to bees. Evergreen. Prefers full sun and tolerates dry, windy and cold sites. Hardy.

Habitat: Coastal to montane, on river terraces, stream banks, colluvium, rock outcrops, talus and fan toe slopes, among tussock grassland and grey scrub, on the edge and margins of dense bush, forest, and in swamps.

Flowering: October - February
Fruiting:    November - May [Berries: Red]

Coprosma areolata (thin-leaved coprosma) [Out of Stock]

Coprosma areolata grows as a shrub or small tree to 5m, usually erect in habit. The pale green leaves are small and thin, hence the common name "Thin-leaved coprosma". It produces blue or black berries which the birds can eat. Grows in wet, lowland forest and can also grow in exposed places.

Habitat: Lowland to lower montane forest.

Flowering: September - October
Fruiting:    January - March [Berries: Blue]

Coprosma crassifolia (mikimiki, thick-leaved coprosma)

Stiffly-branched upright shrub with small dark-green leaves. White to pale-yellow berries attract skinks and birds. Tough shelter and revegetation for drought-prone sites. Upright, columnar habit is good for narrow spaces.

Habitat: Found in scrub, tussocklands, river terraces, rocky places and forests - from sea-level to 400m.

Flowering: 
Fruiting:    March to April [Berries: Yellow]

Coprosma propinqua (mikimiki)

A small, tough, bushy tree with interlaced foliage. Laden with fruit that changes from white to dark blue, makes good pigeon food. Good low shelter. Hardy and tolerates damp. Evergreen.

Habitat: Found in lowland forest, along forest margins and streambanks, in scrub, gravelly places and along the edges of bogs and swamps.

Flowering: October to November
Fruiting:    March to May [Berries: Dark Blue]

Coprosma rhamnoides (red-fruited coprosma) [Out of Stock]

Common small bushy shrub with very wide-angled branches bearing clusters of small paired leaves, one of the pairs usually smaller narrow and brown the other obviously wider at the midpoint of the leaf and with a pale blotch at the base of the leaf. Twigs fuzzy. Fruit small, dark red.

Habitat: Lowland and subalpine scrub and forests.

Flowering: October
Fruiting:    November to March [Berries: Dark Red]

Coprosma robusta (karamu)

Fast-growing shelter, hedging and nurse plant. Competes well with gorse. Laden with bright-orange fruit/seeds January-July, which attracts birds. Shade tolerant. Evergreen. Suits low-frost sites. Evergreen.

Habitat: Common throughout coastal, lowland and lower montane habitats within shrublands and open sites within forest.

Flowering: August to September
Fruiting:    January to July [Berries: Orange]

Coprosma rotundifolia (round-leaved coprosma)

An attractive upright shrub with soft, thin, quite rounded pale-green leaves and interlaced branches. The flowers and orange-red berries are in small clusters.

Habitat: Lowland to montane. Usually in riparian forest and shrubland, especially on alluvial soils or those derived from calcareous parent materials.

Flowering: September - November
Fruiting:    September - August [Berries: Orange]

Coprosma virescens (mikimiki)

Upright shrub or small tree with attractive thin, pale-green leaves. Bark is mottled grey, pale-yellow and cream. The fruit are white or green-tinged, sometimes mottled with black.

Habitat: Lowland to lower montane. On well drained to poorly draining fertile soils (often overlying calcareous or base-rich igneous rocks). In forest and shrubland.

Flowering: September - November
Fruiting:    May - July [Berries: White]

Cordyline australis (ti kouka, cabbage tree)

One of the most identifiable New Zealand native plants in the landcape. It has a tall straight trunk or trunks and a dense round head, with a sphere of long narrow leaves. Cabbage tree produces a profusion of attractive and scented flowers in spring. It is an abundant seeder. It looks most natural in the ornamental garden if planted in groups. Three or more plants can be planted together in the same hole to produce this effect. It grows in all soils and situations, even in swampy ground, where little else of interest will grow.

Habitat: Widespread and common from coastal to montane forest. Most commonly encountered on alluvial terraces within riparian forest.

Flowering: October to December
Fruiting:    January to April [Fruit: White]

Corokia cotoneaster (korokio)

Good hedging and ornamental shrub. Attractive fine silver/grey foliage with bright yellow flowers in early summer. Densely interlaced branchlets. Red berries/seed. Evergreen. Very hardy to drought and cold.

Habitat: Found in scrub and on dry river flats and rocky places throughout the country.

Flowering: September - December
Fruiting:    January - May [Fruit: Red]

Dacrycarpus dacrydioides (kahikatea, white pine)

The tallest growing native tree, featuring handsome mature foliage and attractive buttressed roots. Best planted in moist to wet situations. The main tree species in Riccarton Bush. Edible fruit/seed from February to April is attractive to birds. Evergreen. Intolerant of heavy frosts.

Habitat: Lowland forest, formerly dominant on frequently flooded, and/or poorly drained alluvial soils. Occasionally extends into lower montane forest. Once the dominant tree of a distinct swamp forest type all but extinct in the North Island - the best examples remain on the West Coast of the South Island.

Flowering: October - January
Fruiting:    February - April [Fruit: Red]

Dianella nigra (turutu, blue berry)

Bright iridescent blue berries in summer, this small evergreen flax like plant works well in most situations and is especially attractive planted naturally in groups. Ideal for dry areas under existing vegetation. Growing up to 50 cm tall and about 30 cm wide, this is a perfect smaller substitute for flaxes and does much better in semi shade than the unrelated mountain flax. The magnificent bright blue and fleshy berries that arise during summer from tiny white flowers with yellow stamens. The berries are spread and eaten by native birds.

Habitat: Coastal to montane (rarely subalpine) (1-1100 m a.s.l.). Colonising a wide variety of habitats from open coastal headlands, gumland scrub and less frequently peat bogs through to dense forest and subalpine scrub.

Flowering: November - December
Fruiting: December - March [Fruit: Blue]

Fuchsia excorticata (kotukutuku, tree fuchsia) [Out of Stock]

Also known as Kotukutuku, Tree Fuchsia, and New Zealand Fuchsia. Native to New Zealand and considered to be the worlds largest fuchsia. Attractive, small flowers begin to appear in mid spring. They are greenish-yellow then turn purple-red. followed by dark purple berries that are edible and tasting similar to tamarillo. Plant in full sun or partial shade, hardy, semi-deciduous to deciduous.

Habitat: Found in lowland and montane forests, especially along forest margins and streamsides where the soil is damp.

Flowering: August to December
Fruiting: December to March [Fruit: Purple]

Fuchsia procumbens (creeping fuchsia)

A rather exotic Fuchsia, unlike most common types, unique for its creeping habit. This species grows much like a groundcover, often not exceeding more than a few inches in height. Bears pretty rainbow flowers followed by firm-fleshed, edible berries.

Habitat: A strictly coastal species. F. procumbens has been collected from cobble/gravel beaches, coastal cliff faces, coastal scrub and grassland, dune slacks and swales, and from the margins of saltmarshes (in places where it would be inundated during spring tides).

Flowering: September - May
Fruiting:    November - July [Fruit: Red]

Griselinia littoralis (kapuka, broadleaf)

Small, round-headed tree with light-green leathery leaves. Excellent for hedging or shelter. Withstands drought and coastal conditions. Trim in summer.

Habitat: Found in lowland forests to subalpine scrub.

Flowering: October to December
Fruiting:    December to August [Fruit: Purple]

Libertia cranwelliae (NZ Iris)

Strap-like leaves along a wide-spreading rhizome. White flowers in spring on short spikes. Attractive orange pods remain on the plant for months.

Libertia grandiflora (mikoikoi, NZ Iris)

This is the largest of the New Zealand Irises . Tall stems of pure white flowers are held up above the leaves in spring. These are followed by attractive golden seed capsules.

Habitat: Coastal to montane. Usually in open, lowland forest remnants, forest margins, on steep slopes, ridgelines, bluffs, cliffs, stream banks, and river terraces.

Libertia ixioides (mikoikoi, NZ Iris)

Small grass-like plant with stiff sword-like, yellow-tinged green leaves. Attractive small white flowers held amongst the leaves followed by decorative orange/yellow seed pods.

Habitat: Coastal to montane. Often locally common on ridges, cliffs, gullies, river banks, coastal cliffs, and upland forest.

Flowering: September to December
Fruiting:    January to December

Libertia peregrinans (mikoikoi, NZ Iris) [Out of Stock]

This iris has stiff golden coloured leaves. The flowers are pure white and are held on stems amongst the leaves. Spreads by means of underground runners, forming large clumps.

Habitat: A primarily coastal or lowland species of sandy, peaty or pumiceous soils. It may be found growing in dune slacks and swales, on the margins of swamps, in open poorly draining ground under scrub.

Flowering: October - January
Fruiting:    January - February

Lobelia angulata (panakenake, pratia)

Native white flowering groundcover which thrives in damp shady sites, although will grow in sunny situations. Red berries in autumn are attractive to birds. Spreads to 1m wide. Dies back in winter in cold winter areas.

Habitat: Found in damp, sheltered paces up to 1,500m.

Flowering: October to March
Fruiting:    February to April [Fruit: Red]

Melicytus alpinus (porcupine shrub)

Unusual dense, flattened, sprawling and very hardy shrub really does resemble a porcupine. Its' short stiff interlaced leafless branchlets even have spikey tips. Found in the wild on very light sand or rocky soils, or on rock outcrops in full sun though it grows on any well-drained soil.

Habitat: Occurs east of the Southern Alps in exposed rocky places between 600m and 1.300m.

Flowering: November - January
Fruiting:    February - April [Fruit: White]

Melicytus crassifolius (thick-leaved mahoe) [Out of Stock]

This compact hard shrub is endemic to both the North and South Island where it is typically found along coastal lowlands in open scrub areas, cliff faces, stable sand dunes as well as river flats.

Habitat: Coastal to lowland (0-300 m a.s.l.). Usually coastal in open grey scrub, on talus and alluvial terraces, cobble beaches, cliff faces, and in coarse stable sand dunes (especially swales). Inland it may be found in open grassland, amongst kanuka stands and along river flats.

Flowering: August - January
Fruiting:    October - May [Fruit: White]

Melicytus ramiflorus (mahoe)

Melicytus ramiflorus, commonly known as whiteywood or mahoe, is one of our most common trees, found in forest and shrub throughout New Zealand and growing quickly to 5m or more. The pointed oval leaves are a bright green, with fresh growth being quite soft and an even brighter green. The bark is greyish white and becomes attractively mottled with lichens. Flowers in spring followed by numerous purple black berries. Whiteywood can be clipped for hedging or used as a shelter tree or filler, and will also make quite an attractive specimen. Avoid heavy frosts when young.

Habitat: Abundant small tree of coastal, lowland, and lower montane forests throughout the country.

Flowering: November - January
Fruiting:    February - April [Fruit: Black]

Muehlenbeckia astonii (shrub pohuehue)

A coastal divaricating shrub with a wiry interlacing habit. Small, bright-green heart-shaped leaves. This plant is extremely hardy, tolerating dry conditions and wind. Popular landscaping plant, providing great contrast.

Habitat: Coastal to lowland. This species is associated with “grey” scrub communities, largely confined to drier lowland parts of eastern New Zealand. It is found on moderate to high fertility soils. The plant is often found in association with Coprosma crassifolia, Coprosma propinqua, Muehlenbeckia complexa, Discaria toumatou, Olearia solandri and Ozothamnus leptophyllus.

Flowering: August - January
Fruiting:    October - June

Muehlenbeckia complexa (scrambling pohuehue)

It is quite vigorous and probably the best species for trimming and topiary. It is semi-deciduous growing to 4m or more up suitable supports, and produces swollen white berries with black seeds. Leaves turn bronzy before dropping in late fall/early winter. Any reasonably well drained soil will suit this agreeable groundcover, and drought, salt spray, and wind are all tolerated with good grace.

Habitat: Found along rocky coasts as well as inland in coastal and montane forests.

Flowering: October to June
Fruiting:    July - September [Berries: White]

Myrsine australis (mapau, red matipo)

Forms a handsome large shrub or tree with distinctive red branchlets and wavy leaf margins. Similar in appearance to Pittosporum tenuifolium. The white flowers and later the black fruit are in clusters below the leaves. Used as a specimen, shrub border or hedge.

Habitat: Occurs in lowland forests. Common tree of regenerating and mature forest in coastal to montane situations.

Flowering: December - April
Fruiting:    October - February [Fruit: Black]

Myrsine divaricata (mapau, weeping matipo)

Myrsine divaricata is a small evergreen, bushy shrub, with spreading, drooping branches, which can grow to 3m high. The drooping branches give rise to woody interlacing (divaricating) branchlets bearing solitary leaves or leaves in groups. Tiny flowers, with pale yellow or red petals, occur in clusters. Evergreen.

Habitat: Found in subalpine scrub and forests, preferably where the ground is moist.

Flowering: June to November
Fruiting:    August to April

Pimelea prostrata (pinatoro, NZ daphne) [Out of Stock]

This NZ native groundcover is an attractive low growing plant with white flowers. It flowers prolifically over the summer months and is followed by small clear, white berries. The outstanding blue green foliage is a stand out with this groundcover. Is best grown in a free-draining soil in a full sun position. Excellent for sunny banks or rockeries.

Habitat: Coastal to montane. In open sites, such as coastal gravel, sand dunes, grasslands and mudstone cliffs.

Flowering: September - May
Fruiting:    June - August [Fruit: White]

Pittosporum eugenioides (tarata, lemonwood)

Bushy tree ideal as specimen or hedging. Lemon scented foliage and fragrant flowers (spring).

Habitat: Common tree of regenerating and mature forest in coastal to montane situations.

Flowering: October to January
Fruiting:    February to May [Fruit: Black]

Pittosporum tenuifolium (kohuhu, black matipo)

Extremely popular, adaptable and quick-growing. Shiny light-green foliage with wavy margins and reddish brown branchlets. Fragrant dark red flowers in spring. Exellent plant for hedging and shelter.

Habitat: A small tree of coastal to montane shrubland and forested habitats. Preferring successional habitats.

Flowering: October - January
Fruiting:    February - May

Podocarpus nivalis (snow totara)

Low growing, almost prostrate shrub found in sub alpine parts of New Zealand, although can grow at low altitude as well. It has small leathery olive-green leaves and edible red berries in the autumn. Fantastic option for a trimmed low hedge.

Habitat: Montane to alpine. Common in open tussock grassland and subalpine scrub.

Flowering: September - November
Fruiting:    December - June [Fruit: Red]

Podocarpus totara (totara)

Classic NZ Native - Needle like leaves, olive green, orange-red fruit. Bark red / brown, good shaped tree with durable timber. Tolerates wide range of sites. Frost tender when young.

Habitat: Widespread and at times abundant tree of lowland, montane and lower subalpine forest. May also form a vegetation type in which it is the dominant species.

Flowering: October
Fruiting:    March to April [Fruit: Red]

Pseudopanax arboreus (whauwhaupaku, fivefinger)

This is one of New Zealand's most common native trees found from Cape Reinga to Bluff in lowland forests. Its particular form of a glossy, five to seven fingered leaf along with quick and luxuriant growth. It grows into a small stout tree up to 5 metres high and grows well in most soils and situations. Fast growing with small purplish black berries in autumn.

Habitat: Coastal to montane (10-750 m a.s.l.). Moist broadleaf forest. Frequently epiphytic. A frequent component of secondary forest. Streamsides and forest margins.

Flowering: June to August
Fruiting: August to February [Fruit: Black]

Pseudopanax ferox (toothed lancewood) [Out of Stock]

A spectacular slow-growing specimen with narrow, saw-like brown juvenile leaves. Becomes a bushy-topped tree with a tall, slender trunk.

Habitat: Coastal to subalpine (10-800 m a.s.l.) on consolidated sand dunes (dune forest), in grey scrub overlying pumice, on recent alluvial (coarse gravels), limestone outcrops, boulder fall, cliff faces, talus slopes and scarps. Also found as a sparse component of seasonally drought-prone but otherwise cold and wet alluvial forests. This species prefers drier habitats and conditions than P. crassifolius.

Flowering: November to April
Fruiting: December to June [Fruit: Black]