Pittosporum Wrinkled Blue can be used as tightly-spaced hedging or loosely staggered wide apart - when clipped into a regular, formal shape they make one of the fastest-growing dense screens. This group of natives are suitable for a more informal native garden; stone chip pathways meandering through natural drifts grouped together in bulk with the odd pop of Chionochloa Conspicua scattered throughout, clusters of the orange-stemmed Coprosma Lobster - their blue non-poisonous berries make it one of the best bird attractors - balanced with the small round Hebe Cupressoides Nana. he large shrub version of Sophora Dragons Gold and the Phormiums will attract birds as well. The tall architectural lines of the Cordylines make a strong statement - they look fabulous when planted against the sharp lines of contemporary homes. The space-saving vertical Plagianthus Regius - Ribbonwood - make perfect screens when planted in groups. This selection uses contrasting twiggy forms, strappy leaves, textures and differing colours underplanted with a scattering of the wide spreading ground cover Coprosma Hawera and, in select areas, the smaller mossy carpeting Scleranthus Biflorus.
It is important to be bold - planting in soft drifts, giving the plants space - the taller vertical species rising up out of the lower growers.
This garden is still relatively maintenance-free if liberally bark-mulched at the time of planting and if irrigation is installed at inception. An enthusiastic beginner gardener could manage this with a simple maintenance program and then stand back and let it grow.
Plants and plant spacings:
Pittosporum Wrinkle Blue 1 - 2m
Chionochloa Conspicua 1.2
Coprosma Lobster 1.2
Scleranthus Biflorus 50cm
Hebe Cupressoides Nana 50cm
Coprosma Hawera 1m
Chionochloa Rubra 1.2
Phormium Emerald Gem 1.2
Muehlenbeckia Astonii 1.2
Sophora Dragons Gold 1.5
Plagianthus Regius 2m
Cordyline Australis 2.5
Foliage Colour: Greens, orange, bronze
Flower Colour: Yellow and neutral seed heads
Uses: An informal native garden with loose plantings to soften any sharp architectural lines of a contemporary home.
A very attractive form of our NZ Pittosporum that forms a neat, evergreen tree ideal for screening or hedging. Glossy, wavy leaves of mid grey-green on stems that have a bluish hue. Easy and quick growing, trims well. Evergreen.
Tall open flowering spike. Broad Toetoe-like foliage. Sun or light shade and dry to moist soils.
Coprosma Lobster is an unusual New Zealand Native with fine green leaves and orange-red stems creating a good contrast of colour and texture. Looks great in containers or the garden. Sun to semi-shade. Hardy. Evergreen. Gets to a height of 2m. If you have any questions don't hesitate in contacting us.
A bright green moss like ground cover that forms a plump cushion like shape. Position in full sun. Use as an edging, in rockeries or containers and general garden beds. Requires moist free draining soil.. Hardy. Evergreen. 20cm x 20cm.
A low growing coprosma that forms a dense mat of small green narrow olive-green leaves. Fast growing and very hardy but does prefer dry areas. Looks fantastic cascading over walls or down banks. 50cm x 1m If you have any questions, please don't hesitate in contacting us.
Phormium cookianum Dwarf form A compact dwarf green flax cultivar. Phormium cookianum 'Emerald Gem' is very popular for amenity planting, as it is smaller growing than Phormium cookianum. Yellow seed pods changing to black when ripe. Protect from slugs & snails when young.
Muehlenbeckia astonii is a New Zealand Native coastal divaricating shrub with a wiry interlacing habit. Muehlenbeckia astonii has small, bright green, heart-shaped leaves and is a deciduous plant in winter. It is very hardy, tolerating quite dry conditions and wind. It makes an interesting contrast plant. Likes a spot in the full sun or semi shade and will grow to around 1m in height.
Compact bushy habit with lemon yellow flowers. Hardy. Height 1m
Ribbonwood - Graceful tree. Dense tangled juvenile form. Very fast growing with an upright habit.
Ti Kouka/Cabbage Tree A tall tree which can be grown in coastal, swampy, dry or exposed situations. Cabbage trees are effective planted in groups and are easily established. Good for shelter and for soil stabilisation Height 10m x Width 3m
Very beautiful plant with leaves that glow and shimmer in the sun and ripple in the wind creating many textures and patterns. Flowers in early summer and attractive seed heads remain for many weeks.
Hebe Cuppresiodes Nana is a fragrant evergreen Hebe.
This is a compact hebe that forms a perfect round ball shape. Grey-green foliage with masses of tiny white flowers which bloom during summer. This is the perfect plant for Rock Gardens, Mixed Native Plantings or Containers.