Freshwater riparian ecosystems.

The freshwater riparian zone is the point where land interacts with freshwater ecosystems. This occurs along stream and river banks, in and around wetlands and in and around lakes and estuaries. The riparian zone is an important zone because most runoff must run over or through the soil and vegetation in this zone before it reaches the adjacent water body. It has a crucial influence on water quality, especially light and temperature as well as water flow which in turn affects the habitat of the fauna living in the water. Riparian zones therefore act as buffers which moderate the adverse effects of adjacent land use on stream, lake or estuarine systems.

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

Hedycarya arborea

NZ$0.00

Porokaiwhiri, Pigeonwood

Hedycarya arborea, commonly known as pigeonwood, is found in forests throughout the North Island and as far south as Banks Peninsula. It is an attractive tree, growing 5-10m with dark green oblong leaves with shallowly serrated edges. The flowers are insignificant but fragrant, with male and female arising on seperate trees.

The bright orange red berries are a favourite of the native wood pigeon, hence the common name, but trees of both sexes are needed for the berries to be produced. Pigeonwood prefers a sheltered site with plenty of moisture and good soil in semi-shade. Frost tender when young. Propagation by seed or cuttings.

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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 single specimen amenity plantings.
Use in revegetation plantings.

Size:
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Mature: diameter 3m x height 10m
Planting centres: 1.5m

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Hoheria populnea

NZ$0.00

Houhere, lacebark, ribbonwood

Hoheria populnea commonly known as lacebark, is found naturally in lowland forests of the Northern North Island. It grows into a graceful tree of 4-6m, with pointed oval fresh green leaves with serrated edges.

Starry white flowers appear in great profusion in late summer and autumn. The quick growth of this tree makes it useful for boundary planting or as a very attractive screen. It can also be used as a feature plant.

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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 single specimen landscape plantings.
Use in revegetation plantings.

Size:
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Mature: diameter 3m x height 8m
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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Sophora microphylla

NZ$0.00

Kowhai, weeping kowhai, small-leaved kowhai

Sophora microphylla, commonly known as kowhai, has a somewhat tangled juvenile form before growing into a tree of about 3-7m. It grows in open forests and on riverbeds throughout New Zealand. The foliage is fern-like with very tiny light green leaflets paired along the leaf stem.

In spring the tree is covered with its beautiful bright yellow flowers. The juvenile stage of this tree can last for more than 10 years and it doesn’t flower during this time. Cuttings from an adult tree will bypass this stage.

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Habitat:
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Suits temperate conditions.
Suits coastal conditions.
Suits alpine 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 3m x height 6m
Planting centres: 3m+

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Canopy Freshwater Plants.

Plant Library

Carex lessoniana

NZ$0.00

Rautahi, Cutty Grass

Carex lessoniana is very similar to C.germinata and has a similar distribution. This species has creeping rhizomes and can form large colonies. Its green leaves can be up to 1.2m long and have a sharp edge. It is an inhabitant of damp and swampy ground throughout much of the country. This species is not really suitable as a garden plant but like C.germinata, it is best used for environmental planting of wetland and similar areas.

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Habitat:
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Suits wet conditions
Suits temperate conditions.

Sunlight:
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Prefers semi shade.

Application:
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Use in wetland plantings.
Use in revegetation plantings.

Size:
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Mature: diameter 1m x height 1.2m
Planting centres: 0.5m

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Carex secta

NZ$0.00

Purei, Pukio

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.

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Habitat:
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Suits wet conditions
Suits temperate conditions.

Sunlight:
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Prefers full sun.
Prefers semi shade.

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

Size:
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Mature: diameter 1m x height 1m
Planting centres: 0.5m

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Carex virgata

NZ$0.00

Swamp sedge, Pukio, Toitoi, Toetoe

Carex virgata is a vigorous sedge of swampy areas throughout New Zealand. It has narrow arching bright green leaves and grows to 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. Ideal for wetland, storm water , and riparian plantings.

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Habitat:
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Suits coastal conditions.
Suits temperate conditions.
Suits wet 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 wetland plantings.

Size:
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Mature: diameter 1m x height 1m
Planting centres: 0.5m

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Cyperus ustulatus

NZ$0.00

Coastal cutty grass, Giant umbrella sedge, Cyperus

Cyperus ustulatus is a plant of damper areas, often found by rivers near the coast, and it is distributed through much of the country apart from the southern South Island. It is very vigorous, growing into a clump 60cm -1m tall, with deep olive-green, very sharp-edged leaves. The flowering stems are up to 1.2m or more, with a ruff of leafy bracts below the spikelets. A useful plant for revegetation in wet areas but it is generally considered too vigorous for most garden situations. Propagation by seed or division.

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Habitat:
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Suits temperate conditions.
Suits wet conditions.

Sunlight:
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Prefers full sun.

Application:
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Use in wetland plantings.
Use in revegetation plantings.
Use in stormwater plantings.

Size:
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Mature: diameter 1m x height 1m
Planting centres: 0.5m

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Juncus edgariae

NZ$0.00

Wiwi, Edgars rush, Juncus gregiflorus

Juncus edgariae (gregiflorus) or wiwi (common name) is a rush of swampy areas throughout New Zealand. It grows into a tight clump 1-2m tall with bright green stems. It is ideal for revegetation of wetlands and riparian areas and is useful for damp landscaping areas.

Easily the most common indigenous species. Coastal to alpine, but mainly coastal to montane. Usually in open shrub land, fringing wetlands, and in seasonally damp sites. Often found invading pasture and in urban areas.

Features bright to dark green, orange-green to red-green (drying glossy yellow-green) rather variable perennial forming compact to diffuse tussocks 0.6-2.5 m tall. Rhizome at or just below ground, 5 mm diameter, horizontal, difficult to pull from the soil. Distinguished from the other indigenous species with the flowers usually clustered at the branchlet apices, by the capsules 1.5-2.3 mm long.

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Habitat:
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Suits wet conditions.

Sunlight:
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Prefers full sun.

Application:
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Use in wetland plantings.
Use in stormwater planting.

Size:
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Mature: diameter 0.6m x height 1.2m
Planting centres: 0.5m

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Phormium tenax

NZ$0.00

Harakeke, korari (maori name for inflorescence), flax

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.

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Habitat:
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Suits temperate conditions.
Suits coastal 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.
Use in wetland plantings.

Size:
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Mature: diameter 2m x height 3m
Planting centres: 1m

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Stream Plants.

Plant Library

Cordyline australis

NZ$0.00

Cabbage tree, ti kouka

Cordyline australis is one of our best known and most distinctive trees found throughout New Zealand in a variety of habitats. The young tree has long narrow mid green leaves (3-6cm) which arise directly from a single trunk having an effect similar to ornamental grasses. As it matures the trunk becomes bare and branches out, with the leaves arising terminally. An eventual height of 5-10m is attained.

The creamy and fragrant flowers are a stunning feature, appearing in large densely packed panicles during late spring and summer. An excellent plant for landscaping being suitable for group and specimen planting and also for containers. Cabbage trees are quite obliging and unfussy, growing in a wide range of conditions.

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Habitat:
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Suits temperate conditions
Suits wet conditions
Suits coastal conditions

Sunlight:
–––––––––--
Prefers full sun

Application:
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Use in single specimen amenity planting
Use in revegetation plantings
Use in wetland planting

Size:
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Mature: diameter 1.5m x height 8m
Planting centres: 1m

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Kunzea robusta

NZ$0.00

Rawirinui, kanuka

Widespread, common tree of North and South Islands. Bark usually basally detached long leathery strips. Branches bearing masses of green leaves and clusters of small white flowers. Branchlets usually copiously covered in silky, appressed hairs. Leaves variable in size, soft to grasp. Flowers borne in ‘corymbiform’ clusters, white with a red centre. Fruit a small dry capsule.

Bark is stringy, or coarsely tessellated, coriaceous, firmly attached above, detaching basally, often hanging semidetached; peeling upwards along trunk in narrow to broad, tabular strips. Branches initially erect, soon arching outwards and spreading; branchlets numerous, slender; sericeous, indumentum copious, hairs either long or short antrorse-appressed.

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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 hedgerow and shelter belt plantings.

Size:
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Mature: diameter 4m x height 10m
Planting centres: 1.5m

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Leptospermum scoparium

NZ$0.00

Manuka, kahikatoa

Leptospermum scoparium is found throughout New Zealand. Manuka (common name) is excellent for revegetation and for plantations for honey production. Manuka grows 3-4m height. It is a primary species which provides a natural habitat that allows other New Zealand native species to become established. It naturally dies out after 20-25 years. It is often found growing at the margins of a mature forest.

Manuka has small narrow sharply pointed dark green leaves, and bears masses of small white or pale pink flowers from spring into early summer. It is internationally famous for the medicinal properties of the honey and oil. It is tolerant of practically any conditions and is used in most revegetation projects nation wide.

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Habitat:
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Suits coastal conditions.
Suits wet conditions.
Suits temperate conditions.

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

Application:
–––––––––--
Use in revegetation plantings.
Use in hedgerow and shelter belt plantings.

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

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Melicytus ramiflorus

NZ$0.00

Mahoe, hinahina, whitey wood

Melicytus ramiflorus, commonly known as whiteywood or mahoe, is one of our most common trees, found in forest and shrub throughout New Zealand and growing quickly to 5m or more. The pointed oval leaves are a bright green, with fresh growth being quite soft and an even brighter green.

The bark is greyish white and becomes attractively mottled with lichens. The tiny flowers are produced abundantly in spring and are followed by numerous purple black berries. Whiteywood can be clipped for hedging or used as a shelter tree or filler, and will also make quite an attractive specimen.

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Habitat:
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Suits temperate conditions.

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

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

Size:
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Mature: diameter 4m x height 5m
Planting centres: 1.5m

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Pittosporum eugenioides

NZ$0.00

Tarata, Lemonwood

Pittosporum eugenioides, commonly known as lemonwood, is one of the larger growing New Zealand Pittosporums, found in lowland and subalpine forests of both Islands. Leaves elliptic to elliptic-oblong, to 14 x 4cm, semi glossy pale green, delicately veined almost white midrib, margins wavy or undulating.

When bruised, leaves emit a distinct lemon fragrance. Pale yellow, 12mm, richly scented flowers form in large terminal sprays from spring through midsummer followed by yellowish fruit, black and wrinkled when ripe in autumn. Highly desirable tree, very hardy, grows in the poorest soils and responds to pruning.

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Habitat:
–––––––––--
Suits temperate conditions.

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

Application:
–––––––––--
Use in single specimen amenity plantings.
Use in hedgerow and shelter belt plantings.
Use in revegetation planting.

Size:
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Mature: diameter 4m x height 7m
Planting centres: 1.5m

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Read more →