| ECO-FRIENDLY PLANT LIST |
| NAME | DESCRIPTION | APPROX. H X W meters |
| Acaena caesiiglauca | A rather stout and spreading plant that roots into the ground as it goes. The whole plant is densely covered with soft, white hairs. Leaves 3.5-5 cm long with 7-9 leaflets. Glaucous or blue grey above, paler beneath. Flower heads whitish, on stalks up to 15 cm long; seedheads up to 2 cm diameter, becoming brown when ripe. Although normally a plant of sunny areas, it will also grow quite well in lightly shaded conditions. Strong growing and covering dry areas. | 0.12x1 |
| Acaena inermis | Small greyish ferny foliage. Excellent creeping groundcover. Prefers well-drained sunny or moist site. No barbs on seed. Use as contrast against green, bronze or purples. | 0.1x1 |
| Acaena inermis 'Purpurea' | Compact matt of small purple leaves, excellent groundcover. Fast creeping plant but not invasive. No barbs on seed. Grows well in dry shingle as well as free-draining moist sites. Water to establish. | 0.1x1 |
| Ackama rosaefolia | A handsome small tree with light green, shiny, graceful foliage resembling that of the rose. The undersides of the leaves have an attractive reddish tinge. Makamaka has a spreading habit of growth and at times is more like a large bushy shrub than a tree. In spring bunches of small, cream-coloured flowers are produced in great abundance. As they age, the flowers turn pale red and they remain on the tree for some time in this state.
Makamaka will grow in sun or shade and seems to thrive in most soil types, providing there is good drainage. It is an attractive foliage tree that stands out very well when grown as an isolated specimen. If necessary, it can he trimmed to keep it to a desired height or shape. It is hardy to only light frosts. Where heavy frosts are experienced, it can sometimes be grown by positioning it beneath the protective canopy of tall trees." | 6x4 |
| Alectryon excelsus | Picturesque spreading shade tree with rust-red flowers and jet black berries. Forms an umbrella shape excellent as a shade tree. Beautiful tree. Grows in most sites, avoid heavy frosts or salt winds. | 8x6 |
| Astelia chathamica | Silvery green flax-like leaves, upright but drooping near ends. From the Chatham Islands, it is hardy to sun, shade or frost with a free-draining soil. Tolerates dryness once established. Effective planted singly or stunning in a group, especially contrasted against purples/bronzes. Grows well in pots. Excellent for floral art. Coastal species. | 2x2.5 |
| Beilschmiedia tarairi | This tall tree is particularly attractive during its early years when it is very upright in habit with a thin trunk and comparatively few slender branches. Mature specimens have a rounded crown and make good shade trees. The leaves of taraire are large and distinctive, dark shiny green on the upper surface, pale and dull on the underside. A reddish brown velvety covering of hairs is a feature of the flower stalks, branch and the undersides of young leaves. The flowers, produced about December, are small and inconspicuous. They are followed by purple-coloured, oval-shaped fruits up to 3.5 centimeters long, keenly sought after by wood pigeons. The fruits also provided food for the Maori, who steamed the kernels in a hangi for up to two days to make them ready to eat. B. tarairi is only moderately hardy to frosts. A good, deep, well-drained soil is ideal. It will tolerate quite dry conditions but grows much better if provided with water during periods of drought. | 10x10 |
| Beilschmiedia tawa | Large tree with willow-like light green foliage. Black fruit similar to an olive attract native birds in autumn. Prefers cool, moist site. | 15x10 |
| Blechnum chambersii | This fern is found throughout New Zealand in forests from sea level to 750m. It forms a rosette with attractive arching sterile up to 60cm long and 10cm across. The drop green oblong leaflets are closely spread with wavy edges. Fertile fronds have much narrower and more widely spread leaflets It requires plenty of shade and damp soil. | 0.3x0.4 |
| Blechnum discolor | A ground fern with erect fronds forming a crown-like habit. Grows well in light shade and well drained soil. Hardy. | 1x1 |
| Blechnum fluviatile | A beautiful fern with narrow fronds curving out from a central point, Requires a moist and semi-shaded site. Good to use with ponds & water features. | 03x0.5 |
| Blechnum fraseri | This fern resembles a miniature tree fern, having a narrow trunk up to 1m tall. The broad sterile fronds grow to about 60am long, with the narrow leaflets pinnately divided, dark green and shiny above with small triangular "wings" at their base on the stream. The fertile fonds are similar but slightly smaller with narrower leaflets. This fern is very difficult to established in the garden, small plants being the best to transplant. It needs a warm site in light shade and a dry clay soil. It is of very limited availability. | 1x1 |
| Carex buchananii | A popular sedge which adds contrast with its distinct reddish-brown tones, erect habit and curled leaf ends. Prefers slightly moist site but hardy to most. | 0.75x0.75 |
| Carex comans | C. comans, New Zealand hair grass, is aptly named, with fine, silky, hair-like foliage, to 30 cm, which spreads down to the ground. The leaves take on tones of pale green to auburn to grey, and what is more, they are curled. Coastal situations suit this hair grass, and either sun or shade, even drought and wind once it is established. Adaptable plants, most need water, and prefer a sunny or slightly shaded place. | 0.3x0.4 |
| Carex testacea | Densely tufted weeping grass with bronze/brick-orange and green foliage. Tolerates most sites except deep shade. Excellent in sandy coastal sites and rock gardens. Great for mass plantings. Coastal species. | 06x1.2 |
| Carex trifida | One of NZ's largest grasses. Forms bold clump of green with blueish hue as it ages and in shade. Rich brown seed heads in summer. Best in either shady or damp areas. Tolerant of salt laden winds. | 1x1 |
| Carex virgata | A vigorous sedge of swampy places throughout New Zealand, it has narrow arching bright green leaves and grows about 90cm. It is a useful species for waterside planting and very damp soils but will also grow on dry sites and in sun or semi shade. Wetland species. Riparian Plantings. | 0.9x1 |
| Carpodetus serratus | Tangled juvenile form, maturing with upright spreading branches. Good shade/specimen tree. Small white summer flowers followed by berries for birds. Quick growing, prefers moist good soil. Wetland species. | 6x3 |
| Castanospermum australe | A burly large evergreen suited to the large coastal or favoured inland garden, the Moreton Bay chestnut makes a most attractive specimen. It has unequally pinnate, light green foliage, and in summer hears racemes of pea-shaped flowers, which are yellow, orange or orange-red. The seed-fruit, a large, leathery, broadly hair-shaped pod, about 180 mm long and 50 mm thick, contains three to five large seeds. These were held to be edible when roasted, hut research has shown the presence of poison. Though germination is indifferent, with perseverance this species can be propagated from fresh seed. | 12x10 |
| Cedrus libani | Coniferous tree with wide-spreading branches, conical when young, flat-topped when old. The bark is black or brown with scaly fissures and ridges. Slightly flattened, 4-sided, sharply pointed, dark green to grey-green leaves, to 2.5 cm long, are borne in whorls of 10-20. Barrel-shaped, dull green to brown female cones, broadest below the middle, are 8-12 cm long. Fully hardy. Grow in a sunny, open site, in any well-drained soil, including chalk. | 30x25 |
| Chionochloa flavicans | Tussock with compact lime to straw coloured drooping plumes. Resembles a smaller-scaled toetoe. Attractive hardy garden and landscaping plant - very popular. Takes shade or full sun. Green leaves with feathery cream flowers on long stems. | 0.75x1 |
| Clematis paniculata | Good plants of our large flowered native clematis. Prefers cool moist root run and foliage in the sun, flowering late spring. Evergreen climber. | 9x0.1 |
| Clianthus puniceus | Kaka beak is a favourite in gardens throughout New Zealand. It forms a shrub 1.5 to two metres high, with spreading branches thickly clothed with light green, fine foliage. The showy flowers are beautifully formed, looking very much like upside-down parrots’ beaks. The flowers hang in clusters from the branches, and a well-grown plant can be covered with blooms. The peak flowering is in spring, but the season often extends for many months, starting in winter. Kaka beak is easy to grow in most soils providing there is good drainage. Once established, it will tolerate dry conditions. A sunny situation will encourage the greatest number of flowers. Kaka beak is an excellent choice for a mixed shrub border and can also be trained to grow close against a wall. It is usually quite hardy to cold, although very young plants may suffer some damage from heavy frosts. | 1.5x3 |
| Coprosma acerosa 'Red Rock' | Forms tight tangled mound of dark reddish brown foliage. Hardy to dry sandy sites. | 0.4x1 |
| Coprosma areolata | C. aerolata grows as a shrub or as a small tree up to 5 m tall. It is found from Spirits Bay southwards in forest from sea level to 960m, in the North, South and Stewart Islands. The flowers are solitary or in groups of two or four, occurring at the apices of the branchlets. | $4x1.5 |
| Coprosma 'Beatson's Gold' | Attractive small shrub with green and yellow variegated leaves. | 1.5x1 |
| Coprosma chathamica 'Pinnacle' | Prostrate coprosma from the pinnacle region on the Chatham Islands. Small leaf is similar size to C. Taiko. Good hardy Ground Cover. Tolerant of salt laden Winds. | 0.5x1 |
| Coprosma propinqua | Divaricating shrub with a range of forms, but all small- leaved. The female has blue fruit. Frequently a swamp dweller. Wetland Species. Riparian Plantings. | 3x2 |
| Coprosma repens | Hardy coastal shrub; excellent wind and seaspray shelter. Glossy green leaves | 6x2 |
| Coprosma robusta | Dark green leaves and orange-red berries. A good shelter plant that takes trimming. Withstands coastal and exposed sites. Riparian Plantings. | 3.5x2 |
| Cordyline australis | Unique NZ tree which is very effective planted in groups. Withstands dry, exposed, coastal or wet areas. Fast growing. Scented flowers panicles in spring. Excellent in pots also. Arching dark green sword-like leaves. Creamy-white flowers in early Summer. Wetland species. Riparian Planting. | 3x3 |
| Cordyline australis 'Albertii' | This beautiful cultivar has cream and green variegated foliage, with a pink mid-rib that adds a gorgeous flush of colour to the new growth. Despite the tropical appearance, it is quite hardy and grows with ease in most soil types and situations. It looks marvelous when positioned so the foliage is viewed against the light. It is striking as a container plant but should be planted in a rich soil mix and given regular applications of fertiliser when grown in this manner. The foliage is sometimes damaged by chewing insects; keep a careful watch in summer and take the appropriate control measures at the first sign of problems. Propagation of this cultivar is only possible by vegetative means, usually cuttings. | 8x2 |
| Cordyline 'Kasper' | Smaller than the common cabbage tree. Short broad leaves and branches close the ground. Avoid heavy frosts. Must be in a free-draining soil. Excellent contrast specimen or tub plant. | 5x3 |
| Cordyline pumilio | A cabbage tree with no trunk. Scented flower panicles in summer. Tolerant of very shaded places and takes most average garden situations except very hot and dry. | 1x0.5 |
| Corokia cotoneaster | Wire Netting Bush. Dark green to dark maroon leaves with white felted colour underneath. Deep orange to red berries. | 2.5x1 |
| Corokia 'Geenty's Green' | Bright green foliage with a silvery-white underside. Good shelter. | 2x1.2 |
| Corokia x virgata 'Bronze King' | Hardy shrub with dark green bronze leaf, deepening in winter, with a silver under side. Excellent as hedge or single plant in coastal, dry or frosty areas. Yellow starry flowers in summer and abundant red berries for birds in autumn. Slender and compact. | 2x1.5 |
| Corokia x virgata 'Emerald & Jade' | Upright form very like Cheesemanii. Leaves are an attractive shade of green. Yellow berries. Good shelter. | 2x1.5 |
| Corokia x virgata 'Frosted Chocolate' | Cross between C. cotoneaster (Wire Netting Bush) and C. buddleoides with chocolate brown leaves deepening in colour during cooler months. Yellow starry flowers in summer. Slender and compact. Good shelter. | 2x1.2 |
| Corynocarpus laevigatus | Hardy tree in coastal situations with large oblong glossy leaves. Forms rounded shape. Large orange drupes during summer - very ornamental. Use as border or screen tree. Avoid planting on lawns due to large berries dropping - ask the person who mows the lawn first! Tolerant of salt landen winds. | 8x5 |
| Cyathea cunninghamii | Handsome tree fern. Grows best in moist areas. Has a tall, narrow trunk and narrow stems on fronds. | 8x5 |
| Cyathea dealbata | Well known for the silver undersides of the frond as a NZ emblem. Handsome tree fern not becoming as large as some others. Tolerates semi-dry site once established but prefers sheltered moist place. | 4.5x3 |
| Cyathea medullaris | Handsome tree fern with long fronds and black trunk. Semi-hardy to frosts and can be grown in the open. | 12x4 |
| Cyathea smithii | Attractive tree fern with fronds 2-2.5m long and 'ski' of old fronds around the trunk. Needs good shelter from wind and sun, prefers damp spots. Avoid frost. | 8x4 |
| Dacrycarpus dacrydoides | Tall conical tree with bronze green foliage. Prefers moist swampy conditions. Wetland species. | 40x5 |
| Dacrydium cupressinum | Beautiful specimen trees with graceful, slender, pendulour habit. Slow growing, preferring cool moist conditions. | 25X5 |
| Dianella nigra | Native grass with violet purple berries. Hardy to most sites | 0.5X1 |
| Disphyma australe | Spreading, coastal succulent with mauve/pink flowers; shore rocks, cliffs and garden plant. | .02X1 |
| Dodonaea viscosa | Small hardy tree to 7 metres. Excellent as hedged windbreak. Tolerant to coastal wind and dry conditions | 7X3 |
