Native Garden #5

Cordyline australis, commonly known as Ti Kouka/Cabbage Tree, is a tall tree that, once mature, is a standout for its trunk structure. Cordyline australis can be grown in coastal, swampy, drought, or sun and wind-exposed locations. In summer, it will produce large flowering spikes, which often attract native birds. Cabbage trees are effective planted in groups and are easily established. Good for shelter and riparian planting, providing bank and soil stabilisation. Grows to 10m height x 3m width. 

Kunzea ericoides, commonly known as Kanuka, is a versatile and hardy evergreen shrub or small tree native to New Zealand. This plant is known for its small, aromatic, needle-like leaves and profusion of tiny, white, star-shaped flowers that bloom from late spring to summer. The flowers attract a variety of pollinators, enhancing the ecological value of the garden. Kanuka is ideal for use in mixed borders, native gardens, or as a screening plant.

Kanuka thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers well-drained soil. It is highly adaptable to various soil types, including sandy and loamy soils, and is particularly well-suited to coastal and exposed conditions. This resilient plant is drought-tolerant once established and requires minimal maintenance. Regular watering during the establishment phase is beneficial, and light pruning after flowering helps maintain its shape and encourages dense growth. Space plants about 1-2 metres apart to allow for proper air circulation and growth.

At maturity, Kunzea ericoides can reach a height of 5-10 metres and a spread of about 2-3 metres, forming a tall, upright shrub or small tree. Its dense foliage and attractive flowers make it an excellent choice for creating privacy screens, windbreaks, and adding vertical interest to the landscape.

Phormium Dark Delight is a striking variety of New Zealand Flax that features deep burgundy to almost black sword-shaped leaves, creating a dramatic and contemporary look.

Ideal for adding contrast and texture to garden beds, Phormium Dark Delight reaches a height and spread of approximately 1.5 metres, making it a suitable choice for both small and large spaces. Its robust and upright growth habit ensures it stands out in mixed borders, rockeries or as a standalone specimen.

This variety thrives in various conditions, from full sun to partial shade, and is adaptable to various soil types, provided they are well-drained. Phormium Dark Delight is notably hardy, tolerating coastal conditions, wind and even some drought, once established.

In addition to its ornamental value, Phormium Dark Delight is low maintenance, requiring minimal care beyond removal of old leaves to keep it looking tidy. It's an excellent choice for contemporary landscapes, coastal gardens or as a focal point in a variety of garden styles.

Pseudowintera Red Leopard - also known as horopito or pepper tree. A hardy evergreen shrub that has lime-green foliage with rich burgundy markings that provide good foliar colour to the garden. As the days start to cool in autumn the foliage darkens to burgundy, making it a really good plant for winter interest. Plant in borders and containers. Used to form low hedging it may be trimmed to shape. Requires moist, free-draining soil in full sun or part shade.

Chionochloa rubra, commonly known as Red Tussock grass, is a distinctive tussock grass native to New Zealand. This perennial grass forms large, dense tussocks with long, narrow, red-tinged leaves that often roll inward, giving them a tubular appearance. Red Tussock typically reaches heights of about 1 metre but can grow taller in favourable conditions. From February to April, it produces attractive seedheads, enhancing its visual appeal. Thriving in damp and infertile soils, it performs well in full sun to partial shade and is adaptable to a range of soil conditions, from moist to wet. Its medium growth rate and evergreen foliage provide year-round interest, making it a resilient and low-maintenance choice for various garden styles.

Ideal for naturalistic and contemporary gardens, Chionochloa rubra adds texture and movement, especially in windy, exposed locations. It works well in mass plantings or as a buffer plant around wetland areas, helping to reestablish wildlife habitats. This grass plays a vital ecological role by providing shelter and nesting sites for native birds, preventing erosion with its extensive root systems, and regulating water flow in alpine catchments by trapping and storing snow. Its drought tolerance and adaptability to poor soils make it particularly suited to coastal and urban gardens, where it offers both aesthetic beauty and ecological benefits.

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Libertia peregrinans is a remarkable native New Zealand grass with stiff, sword-like golden-green leaves that become an intense orange colour as they mature. In spring, it boasts clusters of small, white flowers that add to its visual appeal.

Libertia peregrinans is a hardy plant that can tolerate a range of conditions, including poor soil and drought, making it a versatile addition to your garden. It prefers full sun to light shade and achieves a height and spread of about 0.6m, providing a compact yet impactful presence. This low-maintenance perennial is perfect for borders, rockeries, or as a general garden filler, adding a unique, eye-catching element with its distinctive colouring and form. Plant a row in front of a dark fence for a stunning visual effect. 

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Muehlenbeckia axillaris, also known as Creeping Wire Vine or Mattress Vine, is a hardy and versatile evergreen plant that is native to New Zealand. This plant features wiry, interlacing stems that form a dense mat and in summer produces tiny, inconspicuous flowers that are followed by small, black berries. Muehlenbeckia axillaris typically grows to a height of around 10-15cm and has a spread of up to 1.5m, making it an excellent choice for groundcover, rock gardens, and hanging baskets. This plant is hardy and easy to grow, thriving in well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade.

Scleranthus biflorus.  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.

Raoulia hookeri. A compact groundcover with silvery foliage. Forms a tight spreading, woolly mat with yellow-green flowers. Prefers full sun, and good drainage. Perfect for a rock garden, retaining wall or that dry spot in your garden. 10cm x 50cm.

Chionochloa flavicans is a native New Zealand ornamental tussock grass with attractive, weeping blades that display a blend of green and yellow shades and fluffy plumes. With its arching, strappy leaves and dynamic movement in the breeze, it adds a unique visual appeal and texture to gardens. 

Chionochloa flavicans is an adaptable, robust plant that thrives in conditions ranging from full sun to partial shade and prefers well-drained soil. Naturally found on cliffs and rock faces, it handles drought and windy coastal areas extremely well. It is a versatile plant and can be used as a groundcover when planted en masse, as a border to a garden bed or water feature or as a textured addition to mixed garden beds. It grows to 1m tall making it ideal for small or narrow gardens. 

Hebe cupressoides nana is a fragrant evergreen hebe, compact with 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.