Cordyline australis

'Pink Champagne'

A new cultivar of cabbage tree with narrow, upright pale-green leaves that are variegated along their margins with cream-white and blushed with pink near the base. Currently one of the most popular cabbage tree varieties being planted today. Hardy to most conditions but enjoys good drainage. Feed well and protect from caterpillars. Awesome in a pot or the garden.

2.5m x 1.5m

Corokia x virgata

'Geenty's Green'

This NZ native is a compact shrub covered in early summer with star shaped yellow flowers followed by orange berries in late summer. It is an ideal plant for low hedges or as a background shrub and looks equally good in native gardens as well as used in formal gardens where it can be trained into hedges. It needs full sun and is best in a dry situation. Particularly hardy to dry, windy locations.

2m x 1.2m

Griselinia littoralis

'Broadway Mint'

The ultimate NZ plant - highly adaptable and provides a lush, vibrant backdrop for your garden setting. Though will form an attractive tree and useful as a lawn shade tree, it responds well to clipping to form a tidy, thick hedge that is not prone to drop leaves in dry conditions. Trim regularly into the fresh growth to maintain desired shape. Very tolerant of drought once established.

1.5m+ x 1m

Corynocarpus laevigatus

Karaka

This handsome tree forms a tall, upright classic shape that makes it ideal as a specimen tree. The oblong leaves are large, leathery and a glossy dark green that offset the oval orange fruit which ripen in autumn. It is tolerant of a wide range of conditions including sea breezes making it ideal for coastal plantings. It prefers a moist, average to rich soil that drains freely. Though hardy, protect young trees from heavy frosts.

10m x 4.5m

Agathis australis

Kauri

The eventual size of this iconic tree need not daunt the average gardener. Juvenile plants take about 30yrs to reach a height of 10m, with this pyramidal form lasting for more than 50yrs. This attractive forest giant deserves to be more widely planted. The leaves are narrow and leathery and an attractive bronze colour with age. Although kauri are tolerant of a wide range of conditions, they prefer a rich, moist soil and grow better if not too exposed. Try planting in groves for a majestic effect now and in years to come.

10m+ x 5m+

Griselinia lucida

Akapuka

A superb NZ native! This large shrub to small tree has large thick glossy green oval leaves up to 18cm in diameter giving it a distinctive 'tropical' look and making it ideal for use in sub-tropical plantings. It is frost tolerant, though heavy frosts can damage tender new leaves. Often found as an epiphyte in the wild, perched high on other trees, it is intolerant of waterlogged soils and grows best in moist, free draining soils.

5m x 5m

Pittosporum hybrids

Where would we be without them? Surely some of the most popular of the NZ natives, with a variety of leaf and stem colours, from lime-green, variegated, dark-green to white, they are attractive as well as valuable screening plants. Fast growing and responding to regular light prunings. Prefers well drained soil in a sunny position. Keep moist in drier weather but not wet.

2m - 4m x 1.5 - 2m

Coprosma repens

'Middlemore'

A very hardy Coprosma with thick, oblong dark green leaves. A small leaved form of Coprosma repens, it will grow in almost any situation to 1.5m tall. It is an ideal plant for shaping and makes a great ornamental hedge. It is frost and wind tolerant and ideal for coastal conditions. Grows best in full sun though will tolerate semi-shade.

1.5m x 0.8m

Cordyline australis

Cabbage Tree

One of our best known and distinctive trees. Of iconic status, the cabbage tree deserves a place in every style of garden, from formal to native, arid to tropical. Young trees are single trunked with long, narrow mid-green grass-like leaves. As it matures the lower trunk becomes bare and branches form, giving the distinct tree-like shape. An excellent plant for garden landscaping, being suitable for group planting or single specimen and also containers. Extremely hardy - plant in average soil, moist or dry tolerant, full sun to part shade and both wind and frost tolerant.

5m x 2.5m

Astelia chathamica

'Silver Spear'

This NZ native forms a showy clump of stiffly arched, broad leaves silver-green colour on the upper surface and silver underneath. It prefers a moist, but well drained average soil and will tolerate dry and coastal conditions. It is also tolerant of both wind and frost. This plant has a low water requirement once established and can tolerate quite dry conditions. The most popular Astelia due to its size, it can be used to stunning effect for mass planting or general garden planting.

1.8m x 1.8m

Prumnopitys taxifolia

Matai

This unusual looking NZ native tree is great for providing habitats for wildlife. A valuable addition to the garden, the juvenile stage has a tangled mass of branchlets, bronzy-brown in colour. It is relatively fast growing at this stage, though growth slows as the more adult form is reached. Give space and room to grow.

10m+ x 4m

Pseudowintera colorata

Horopito; NZ Pepper Tree

This attractive slow growing NZ native provides colour in the garden over summer. When crushed the leaves are highly aromatic and peppery to taste. Leaves are yellow-green and blotched ruby-red over summer. Plant in full sun for best foliage colour. Very hardy and pest and disease free.

2m x 2m

Meryta sinclairii

Puka

This showy endemic hails from the Three Kings and Hen & Chicken Islands. With tropical-looking, glossy large green paddle-shaped leaves making this an extremely attractive and popular garden plant. With leaves 25cm-30cm long and half as wide, it is best grown in full sun in a sheltered spot away from the wind where it will form a small mushroom shaped tree. Will tolerate coastal conditions, preferring a moist, yet well drained soil. This plant is frost tender. It has a low water requirement once established. Makes a dramatic feature plant and also looks great in a large decorative pot.

5m x 5m

Metrosideros excelsa

Pohutukawa, NZ Christmas tree

This awesome native has the advantage of some stunning red flowers during Christmas time. A relatively fast grower during the first 10 to 15 years. Can be hedged or just planted as a specimen tree. Hardy to harsh coastal conditions but is frost tender when young. Some cultivars remain small and under 5m in height, while the traditional form can grow to 12m in height.

5m+ x 4m