grass species that exhibits tall spreading tussocks. May grow up to 3 m tall.
Endemic grass species that forms dense light green tussocks up to 1m tall.
Cyperus ustulatus (toetoe upoko-tangata, giant umbrella sedge)
Vigorous leafy sedge growing up to 1m in open damp places.
Dicksonia squarrosa (wheki, tree fern)
Tree fern up to 7m tall.
Elatostema rugosum (parataniwha)
Herbaceous plant up to 500 mm tall that spreads by rhizomes. Bronze coloured foliage with serrated edge. Prefers shade.
Robust perennial sedge forming yellow green tussocks to 2m tall. Long erect leaves to 3m. Prefers full sun.
Robust perennial sedge forming dark green tussocks to 3.5 m tall. Develops glossy black nuts.
Hypolepis ambigua (pigfern)
Large dark green fern with bristly brown hairs on stems. Prefers shade.
Small fern which creates a tangled mound 600mm high. Fronds arise from a rhizome covered by dark red-brown hairs.
Juncus edgariae (wiwi)
Bright green to orange green rush which grows in tussocks to 600 mm high.
A hardy rush which forms tussocks to 1m. Prefers full sun.
Lepidosperma australe (square sedge)
Blue green sedge with square stems to 2m tall.
Phormium tenax (harakeke, flax)
Fast growing clump forming flax with large stiff leaves to 3m. Easily propagated from split fans or grown from seed. Attracts birds especially tui.
Trees and shrubs
Carpodetus serratus (putaputaweta, marbleleaf)
Lowland forest tree up to 7m tall. Large bunches of cream coloured flowers appear in spring followed by black berries.
Small leaved shrub species that grows to 4m tall.
Coprosma propinqua (mingimingi)
Small leaved shrub which grows to 3m. Characterised by divaricating branches and dark blue fruit.
Coprosma propinqua x C. robusta
Common coprosma hybrids with leaf size and shape in a variable range between its two origin species.
Coprosma robusta (karamu, shining karamu)
Shrubs or small trees growing to 3 m tall with glossy green leaves. Masses or orange-red fruit in autumn are attractive to birds. Hardy plant.
Coprosma tenuicaulis (swamp coprosma)
Endemic species that grows to 3m tall. Leaves pale green with slender branches.
Cordyline australis (ti kouka, cabbage tree)
Palm like in appearance with large heads of linear leaves and panicles of scented flowers. Grows eventually to 12m.
Dacrycarpus dacrydiodes (kahikatea, white pine)
Relatively slow growing tree that grows to 40m.
Geniostoma rupestre (hangehange)
Common forest shrub with pale green glossy foliage, growing to 2-3 m. Tiny flowers give off strong scent in spring.
Hebe stricta (koromiko)
Shrub or small tree growing to 2m. Natural forms have white to bluish flowers. Prefers full sun.
Kunzea ericoides (kanuka)
Fast growing small leafed tree to 5m. Hardy. Prefers full sun and well drained situation.
Laurelia novae-zelandiae (pukeatea)
Large upright tree (to 30 m) with attractive bright green foliage and distinctive whitish bark. Fast growing. Tolerant of some sun and frost. Not tolerant of wind.
Leptospermum scoparium (manuka)
Shrub or small tree growing to 4m in height. Common shrub varying in form throughout New Zealand. Ideal to provide shelter for other plants as it is quick growing and hardy. Requires full sun. Tolerant of difficult conditions.
Melicytus ramiflorus (mahoe)
A fast growing but long lived tree to 7 m height. Tolerates some frost, wind and sun. Birds are attracted to the blue berries. Requires shelter to establish.
Pennantia corymbosa (kaikomako
Slow growing species that will reach 12m.
Pittosporum tenuifolium (black matipo)
Small tree with dark twigs bearing pale green shiny leaves. Can grow to 5m.
Plagianthus regius subspecies regius (ribbonwood)
Small deciduous tree with interlacing branches and small leaves. Grows to 6m.
Rhopalostylis sapida (nikau)
New Zealand’s only palm, with red berries attractive to birds. Requires light shade, plenty of moisture and protection from wind when young.
Sophora microphylla (kowhai)
Divaricating and bushy tree with small green leaves growing to 6m. Yellow flowers which attract birds and produce distinctive legume seed pods.
Sophora tetraptera (k