Rural ecosystems.

In general rural landscapes are highly modified, productive landscapes. Some have had all vestiges of naturally occurring native vegetation removed. Rural landowners recognise that productivity has an ecological cost, which can be balanced by protecting and enhancing remaining patches of bush, linking them together and by planting vulnerable land such as steep slopes.

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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Dacrydium cupressinum

NZ$0.00

Rimu, red pine

Dacrydium cupressinum, commonly known as rimu, is one of our most distinctive forest canopy trees and is found throughout New Zealand. In nature it can reach heights of more than 40m but because of its very slow growth it is a more suitable subject for a larger sized garden.

The young tree has an attractive drooping pyramidal form. The branches are densely clothed in short light green needle-like leaves, which sometimes take on bronze tones. A rich moist soil is best, preferably with some shade and shelter from strong winds when young. Propagation is best by seed.

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Habitat:
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Suits temperate conditions

Sunlight:
–––––––––--
Prefers semi shade.
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 25m+
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:
–––––––––--
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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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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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:
–––––––––--
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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Carbon Sink 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:
–––––––––--
Suits temperate conditions.
Suits montane conditions.
Suits damp conditions.

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

Application:
–––––––––--
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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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:
–––––––––--
Prefers full sun.

Application:
–––––––––--
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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Laurelia novae zelandiae

NZ$0.00

Pukatea

Laurelia novae-zelandiae is a very handsome tree found in swampy forests and gullies throughout the North Island and South to Marlborough and the West Coast of the South Island. It is slow growing and will reach 6-10m in the garden. The leathery oval leaves are up to 8cm long and are deep glossy green, with serrated edges and paler undersides.

As the tree matures, the pale brownish grey trunk becomes attractively buttressed at the base. Pukatea requires plenty of moisture and is ideal for planting in damp areas or on the edges of lakes and streams. Propagation by seed.

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

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

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

Size:
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Mature: diameter 4m x height 6m
Planting centres: 1.5m

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Plagianthus regius

NZ$0.00

Manatu, ribbonwood, lowland ribbonwood

Plagianthus regius, commonly known as ribbonwood, is the largest of our deciduous trees growing 5 -10m. It is found in localised areas of lowland forest throughout New Zealand. The tree has a divaricating juvenile form with bright green rounded and toothed leaves. The adult becomes a straight trunked tree with larger elongated leaves. The juvenile form may persist at lower levels and can be pruned off if required.

The male and female flowers usually occur on separate trees and are yellowish green. They are just 3-4mm wide, with the male flowers being paler and slightly bigger, and are borne in dense drooping panicles from mid spring to summer. The tree has an attractive airy appearance, yet is quite tough, being able to withstand strong winds. Can be prone to borer. It will grow in most soils but does best in one that has been well worked.

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Habitat:
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Suits temperate conditions.
Suits alpine conditions.

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

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

Size:
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Mature: diameter 3m x height 8m
Planting centres: 1m

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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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Sophora tetraptera

NZ$0.00

Kowhai, large-leaved kowhai

Sophora tetraptera, commonly known as the kowhai, is found naturally in the North Island along riverbanks and forest margins from the East Cape to the Ruahine Range. It is slightly taller than S.microphylla and has longer leaves with bigger leaflets. It does not have a divaricating juvenile stage.

The golden yellow flowers appear in spring, and flowering commences at a younger age than S.microphylla. A popular plant known as S.tetraptera ‘Gnome’ is no longer considered to be a cultivar of the New Zealand kowhai but of a species from Lord Howe Island.

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Habitat:
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Suits temperate conditions.
Suits coastal conditions.
Suits alpine conditions.

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

Application:
–––––––––--
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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Enrichment Plants.

Plant Library

Aristotelia serrata

NZ$0.00

Makomako, wineberry

Aristotelia serrata, commonly known as wineberry or makomako, is found in forest clearings often in thickets, particularly where soil is moist. Aristotelia will grow up to 10m tall with a 30cm diameter trunk. The leaves are reddish in colour and are broad and papery thin. The flowers appear through spring and summer with the small dark red berries forming in clusters in late summer.

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Habitat:
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Suits temperate to montane conditions.

Sunlight:
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Prefers semi shade.

Application:
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Use in revegetation plantings.

Size:
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Mature: diameter 2.5m x height 7m
Planting centres: 1m

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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:
–––––––––--
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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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:
–––––––––--
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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Phormium cookianum

NZ$0.00

Wharariki, Mountain flax

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.

Great revegetation and landscape plant.

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

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

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

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

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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:
–––––––––--
Suits temperate conditions.
Suits coastal conditions.
Suits wet conditions.

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

Application:
–––––––––--
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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Read more →