Austroderia fulvida is the true toetoe (common name). It has sharp edged, 2m long leaves, that are dull on the upper side, and shiny on the under side. At flowering time the plant has an overall height of about 4m. The dense feathery plumes are generally upright and are 60-75cm long. The plant tolerates a wide range of climatic conditions and harsh soil conditions. It is useful for revegetation and for landscaping projects.

Carex secta is a common plant of swampy areas throughout New Zealand. It forms large tussocks up to 1m tall, with weeping yellowish green leaves. At its best beside water, it will grow in any moist soil in sun or semi-shade. Old specimens in moist to wet sites often form thick sturdy trunks from the matted roots and old stem bases.

Phormium cookianum, also known as mountain flax, is found from North Cape to Stewart Island, from sea level to 1300m, growing on steep cliff faces or growing among rocks not far from the water’s edge. The foliage is typically a lime green colour, with erect leaves growing to a height of 1.5m. Distinguished by slightly twisted and pendulous seed pods which ripen three months after P.Tenax.

Phormium tenax, commonly known as harakeke, is one of New Zealand’s most versatile plants having a combination of extreme vigour coupled elegant beauty. The foliage is khaki green coloured and up to 3m long. The nectar from the flowers, borne on tall slender flower stalks, is a great attractor to native birds such as Tui. Harakeke is abundant throughout New Zealand particularly in wetland areas. Perfect for revegetation, riparian plantings, and for landscaping.

Hebe stricta is an open branching shrub found throughout New Zealand. Its long narrow leaves are deep green and glossy. The white mauve-tinged flowers appear on 7-15cm spikes during summer.

Agathis australis, commonly known as kauri, is the giant of New Zealand’s podocarps and is one of the largest trees in the world. The oldest specimens can live to 2,000 years old. This includes the reknown Tane Mahuta in the Waipoua Forest.

Beilschemeidia taraire is a large forest tree growing 8-10m high in cultivation. The leathery oval leaves are olive green when young and age to a dark glossy green, paler underneath and 18-15cm long. They are veined, with reddish brown tomentum. This tomentum also covers the young leaves and branches, adding to the tree’s attractive appearance.

Dacrycarpus dacrydioides, commonly known as kahikatea, is found in forests of both the North Islands and the South Islands, usually in swampy areas. Kahikatea is our tallest native tree, towering as high as 65m. It can be accommodated in a large garden, making an attractive specimen tree growing to about 9m after 20 years. Juvenile trees have drooping needle-like foliage with a bronze tinge, while on adult trees the leaves are dark green compressed scales.

Knightia excelsa commonly known as rewarewa is a striking tree species that grows in forest throughout the North Island and northern tip of the South Island. It produces a mass of red grevillia like scarlet red flowers during spring and summer. The tree grows up to 30m in height with a trunk up to 1m in diameter. The leaves are stiff and serrated.