Plants to be used over a land application area need to be chosen carefully. The objective is to ensure that the whole of the land application area is covered. This will optimise system performance and limit weed growth.
Select large plants cautiously, as it may be difficult to prune or remove a tree which grows too large.
There are a number of plants which can be used. You do not need to limit your choice to native plants, but the following is a list of natives which are suitable for wastewater disposal systems in the Bay of Plenty. We encourage you to use plants grown from locally sourced seed that are ecologically appropriate for the part of the region where they are being used.
The list is split into two parts: the grasses and ground covers should be used at the edges and the taller trees and shrubs planted in the middle of the land application area.
Grasses, ground covers and other plants
Astelia grandis (swamp astelia)
Large clump forming plant with wide, pointed bright green leaves. Will form clumps up to 2m high.
Austroderia fulvida (toetoe)
Long strap-shaped leaves with red orange coloured veins. The flower heads are cream yellow. Natural distribution is Tauranga and Rotorua and south of those centres.
The familiar toetoe with long weeping light green leaves. Grows in clumps up to 3m high. Drooping cream coloured plumes.
Blechnum novae-zelandiae (kiokio)
Also known as the palm leaf fern. Fronds up to 2m long. Young shoots are pink and turn green as they age.
Small low growing fern
Blechnum minus x B. novae-zelandiae hybrids
Hybrids of the two ferns listed above.
Forms a dense clump of upright foliage light green and brown in colour.
Carex dissita (purei)
Also known as forest sedge. Native sedge with dull green to reddish leaves about 500 mm tall. Seeds occur on long stems.
Vigorous native species that grows to 1.5 m tall. Suitable for a larger area. Green leaves have a sharp edge.
Light green to yellow green tufted sedge. Grows to 700 mm. No rhizomes. Prefers full sun.
Carex secta (purei, makura)
Endemic 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)
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