Forest ecosystems.

Forest ecosystems are those areas of native vegetation that are dominated by tall, well-established trees and there are many distinctive types of forest ecosystems throughout the country. We have broadleaf forest systems in the north, a range of mixed broadleaf podocarp type forests and the far south features beech-dominant forests. Most of the forest ecosystems remaining outside the nation’s parks and reserves are fragmented as a result of human modification and they occur within a mosaic of urban / rural land use. In the north kauri dieback demonstrates the changing climate and the need for vigilant biosecurity measures.

Healthy ecosystems start with the right combination of plants. Here is a selection of plants from our plant library to help you start planning your ecosystem.

Plant Library

Agathis australis

NZ$0.00

Kauri

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.

The kauri grows 30-60m in height and 3-6m in girth. As the tree matures the lower branches drop off leaving a straight clean trunk covered in flaky bark with the massive limbs branching out from the top of the tree. The leaves are coppery coloured in the younger plant. Golf ball sized seed cones produce the new seeds. Kauri is famous for its timber and its resin (gum).

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Habitat:
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Suits temperate conditions.

Sunlight:
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Prefers full sun.
Prefers semi-shade when young.

Application:
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Use in revegetation plantings.
Use in single specimen amenity plantings.

Size:
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Mature: diameter 7m x height 30m+
Planting centres: 5m+

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Alectryon excelsus

NZ$0.00

Titoki

Alectryon excelsus, commonly known as the titoki, makes an attractive specimen tree. The tree grows to a height of 10m and a trunk up to 60cm thick. The titoki is densely covered in khaki green coloured, tooth shaped leaves on thin twigs.

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Habitat:
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Suits temperate conditions.

Sunlight:
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Prefers full sun

Application:
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Use in revegetation and single specimen amenity planting.

Size:
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Mature: diameter 4m x height 10m
Planting centres: 5m+

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Dacrycarpus dacrydioides

NZ$0.00

Kahikatea, white pine

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.

Small oblong pollen-bearing cones are carried on male trees, and in autumn female trees bear the seeds on small bright red fruit, which are appealing to native birds. Kahikatea appreciates some shade when young. It is an excellent choice for swampy areas, being quite happy with wet feet. Propagation by seed or cuttings.

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Habitat:
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Suits temperate conditions.
Suits lowland forest conditions.
Suits wet conditions.

Sunlight:
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Prefers full sun.

Application:
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Use in single specimen amenity plantings.
Use in revegetation plantings.

Size:
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Mature: diameter 10m x height 30m+
Planting centres: 5m

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Knightia excelsa

NZ$0.00

Rewarewa, NZ honeysuckle

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.

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Habitat:
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Suits temperate conditions.
Suits coastal conditions.
Suits montane conditions

Sunlight:
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Prefers full sun.

Application:
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Use in revegetation plantings.
Use in single specimen landscape plantings.

Size:
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Mature: diameter 5m x height 20m
Planting centres: 3m

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Podocarpus totara

NZ$0.00

Totara

Podocarpus totara is one of New Zealand’s mightiest forest trees, tolerant to most soil types and environments. Totara can reach a height of 30m. It gains height quite quickly for the first few years, then slowly fills out. The needle like leaves are olive-green in colour. The bark is reddish brown and peels in long thick strips.

Trees are either male or female, with the female carrying the seed in bright red berries in autumn. Totara is suitable for planting as a specimen tree or used for block plantings.

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Habitat:
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Suits temperate conditions.

Sunlight:
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Prefers full sun.

Application:
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Use in mass specimen landscape plantings.
Use in single specimen amenity plantings.
Use in hedgerow planting.

Size:
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Mature: diameter 8m x height 15m+
Planting centres: 3m

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Vitex lucens

NZ$0.00

Puriri

Vitex lucens, commonly known as puriri, grows from the Far North to Taranaki. It grows into a massive tree with large dark green glossy leaves. It is loaded with bright red berries from the autumn into the winter. The tree will grow to 20m in height x 20m in diameter. The trunk can grow to 1.5m in diameter.

The timber is dark grey/black coloured and is very hard. The berries are a great attracter to native birds such as the kereru (wood pigeon). Vitex is excellent for reforestation and as a specimen tree.

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Habitat:
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Suits temperate conditions.
Suits coastal conditions.

Sunlight:
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Prefers full sun.

Application:
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Use in single specimen landscape plantings.
Use in revegetation planting.

Size:
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Mature: diameter 12m x height 15m+
Planting centres: 5m+

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Canopy Plants

Plant Library

Carpodetus serratus

NZ$0.00

Putaputaweta, marbleleaf

Carpodetus serratus is found throughout New Zealand on forest margins and stream banks to an altitude of 1050m. It forms an attractive tree with upright spreading branches making it suitable for shade or specimen planting.

It will grow to about 5m. The juvenile form has tangled growth with smaller, rounded, serrated leaves, while the adult foliage is oval with a shallow serrated edge and is mid-dark green with lighter green marbling. The bark is smooth and greyish white. The tree can be smothered with panicles of tiny white flowers during summer. These are followed by pea sized black capsules. It prefers a deeply dug, good soil and ample moisture. Propagation by seed or cuttings.

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Habitat:
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Suits temperate conditions.
Suits montane conditions.
Suits damp conditions.

Sunlight:
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Prefers full sun.
Prefers semi shade.

Application:
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Use in revegetation plantings.
Use in mass specimen landscape plantings.
Use in single specimen amenity plantings.

Size:
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Mature: diameter 3m x height 5m
Planting centres: 1m

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Cyathea dealbata

NZ$0.00

Ponga, silver fern

Cyathea dealbata commonly known as the silver fern, is a well known symbol of New Zealand, particularly in NZ’s sports teams. It grows in forests throughout the country. It can reach a height of 10m with a frond length of 2-4m.

The shining green fronds have undersides of silver, hence the common name. The trunk is patterned with the bases of the fallen fronds. A sheltered site with shade or semi-shade and good moist soil is best. Mature specimens will tolerate some exposure and a measure of dryness but in these conditions do not look as good.

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Habitat:
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Suits temperate conditions.
Suits lowland dry forests.

Sunlight:
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Prefers heavy shade.
Prefers semi shade.

Application:
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Use in single specimen amenity plantings.

Size:
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Mature: diameter 5m x height 6m
Planting centres: 1.5m

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Elaeocarpus dentatus

NZ$0.00

Hinau

Elaeocarpus dentatus, commonly known as hinau, is a native lowland forest tree of New Zealand. A member of the family Elaeocarpaceae, it is found on both the North and South Islands of New Zealand, but not on Stewart Island.

The leaves are dark green, with a toothed edge. On the underside of the leaf small domatia are present. Clusters of small white flowers are produced in spring, and in late summer the flowers form into a fleshy fruit.

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Habitat:
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Suits temperate conditions
Suits coastal conditions

Sunlight:
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Prefers full sun

Application:
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Use in single specimen amenity planting.
Use in revegetation planting.

Size:
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Mature: diameter 7m x height 18m
Planting centres: 7m

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Pseudopanax arboreus

NZ$0.00

Whauwhaupaku, fivefinger, five finger

Pseudopanax arboreus, commonly known as five-finger, is a common tree of lowland forests throughout New Zealand that grows into a well-branched rounded tree of 3-6m. The leaves are composed of 5-7 leaflets radiating on short stalks from a central stem. The leaflets are graduated in size, with the smaller ones being closest to the main stem and the largest up to 20cm long. They are a deep shiny green, paler beneath and leathery with serrated margins.

The tiny flowers are produced in large clusters during winter, and male and female flowers are carried on separate trees. The flowers are followed by small purplish berries that appeal to birds. A very versatile plant, suitable as a feature or in a group and its rapid growth also makes it useful for re-vegetation. In humid areas it can be subject to root rot so should be grown on dry sites with good air movement. It can be kept bushy as it responds well to pruning.

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Habitat:
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Suits temperate conditions.
Suits alpine conditions.

Sunlight:
–––––––––--
Prefers full sun.
Prefers semi shade.

Application:
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Use in mass specimen landscape plantings.
Use in revegetation planting.

Size:
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Mature: diameter 3.3m x height 5m
Planting centres: 1.5m

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Schefflera digitata

NZ$0.00

Patatē, patē, seven-finger

Schefflera digitata, commonly known as pate, is an attractive spreading tree which grows up to about 3m. It is found in damp forests throughout New Zealand from sea level to 1200m. The large deep green, rather soft leaves are composed of up to 9 oval leaflets arising from a singe point.

They get progressively bigger as they radiate outwards, with the biggest leaflet being up to 20cm. The margins are finely serrated and tinged with pinkish red, as are the veins and midribs. Large panicles of tiny greenish white flowers hang below the leaves in summer and are followed by white to purple berries.

Pate should be given a shady and sheltered position in good moist soil. Could be used to good effect in a tropical planting or as a background plant. Propagation by seed.

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Habitat:
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Suits temperate conditions.

Sunlight:
–––––––––--
Prefers heavy shade.
Prefers semi shade.

Application:
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Use in single specimen amenity planting
Used in revegetation planting

Size:
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Mature: diameter 3m x height 3m
Planting centres: 1.5m

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Shrubs/Trees

Plant Library

Astelia fragrans

NZ$0.00

Bush flax, Bush lily, Kakaha

Astelia fragrans is a large species of Astelia and one of the most common growing throughout New Zealand. It grows in forest and scrub from the coast to about 900m in altitude. The broad green leaves, up to 2m long and stiffly arching, are overlaid with a silvery sheen and the ribs are often reddish. An excellent filler for a large space in sun or shade. Can be difficult in humid areas.

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Habitat:
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Suits temperate conditions.

Sunlight:
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Prefers semi shade.

Application:
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Use in native bush enrichment.
Use in mass specimen landscape plantings.

Size:
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Mature: diameter 1.5m x height 1.5m
Planting centres: 1m

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Coprosma grandiflora

NZ$0.00

Kanono, manono, large-leaved coprosma, raurekau, Coprosma autumnalis

Coprosma grandiflora is a shrub or small tree growing in lowland and montane forest in the North and South Island. It grows to 3-4m in cultivation. It has olive-green wavy edged leaves, and its orange berries are attractive to birds. This coprosma prefers shade although it also tolerates full sun. It prefers some shelter and requires adequate moisture. A good revegetation plant.

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Habitat:
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Suits temperate conditions

Sunlight:
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Prefers semi shade.

Application:
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Use in revegetation planting

Size:
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Mature: diameter 3m x height 6m
Planting centres: 1m

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Dicksonia fibrosa

NZ$0.00

Wheki-ponga, wheki-kohoonga, golden tree fern, kuripaka

Stout, non-rhizomatous tree ferns, up to 10 m tall. Trunk up to 1 m diameter, very dense, composed of tightly interwoven, red-brown rootlets, entirely without aerial buds. Fronds numerous, persistent in death, and forming a dense, pendent skirt; in life erect and arching, forming a dense, tight crown.

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Habitat:
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Suits alpine conditions.
Suits temperate conditions.
Suits montane forest conditions.

Sunlight:
–––––––––--
Prefers heavy shade.
Prefers semi shade.

Application:
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Use in single specimen amenity plantings.

Size:
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Mature: diameter 1m x height 6m
Planting centres: 1m

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Rhopalostylis sapida

NZ$0.00

Nikau

Rhopalostylis sapida, commonly known as nikau, is a palm type plant found in lowland forests throughout the North Island and in the South Island to Banks Peninsula in the east and Greymouth in the west. It is very slow growing but can eventually reach a height of 10m or more in the wild. The fronds emerge from bulbous sheaths atop a single trunk that is ringed with the scars of fallen leaves.

Flowering doesn’t commence until a tree is about 30 years old. At this time large spiky inflorescences containing tiny pinkish purple flowers hang down from below the base of the leaves. The flowers are followed by bright red fruits that take a year to ripen.

Nikau needs a shady sheltered site, preferably among other trees in a deep moist soil, and can tolerate only the lightest frosts. Its exotic appearance makes it an excellent choice for a tropical planting or in a native grove. It looks particularly good when planted in groups. Propagation by seed.

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Habitat:
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Suits temperate conditions.
Suits coastal conditions.

Sunlight:
–––––––––--
Prefers semi shade.

Application:
–––––––––--
Use in single specimen amenity planting.
Use in revegetation planting.

Size:
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Mature: diameter 2m x height 7m
Planting centres: 1.5m

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Read more →