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There are so many good reasons to plant a New Zealand native as gardeners all over the world have discovered. During a recent trip to Europe I swear I saw a Cabbage Tree (Corydline) in every back yard I peeked into! Here at home, planting a NZ Native is really an act of conservation as it ensures the continuation of native plant species. Along with that there is the added bonus of attracting native birds to your garden and beneficial native insects. However before we get too "Green" and serious lets just apreciate the wonderful layers of colour, texture and distinctive form that NZ Natives offer the gardener.  

What could be more architectural than a Cabbage Tree? Perhaps the only competitor would be our NZ Flaxes (Phormiums) which are available in small, medium and large with a wide colour palette. These cannot be beaten for toughness and adaptability and are simply fabulous planted en masse. Can you imagine New Zealand without Kowhai trees (Sophora) driping with bright yellow bells in summer and being squabbled over by noisy Tui's? Did you know that some Kowhai plants only reach 1m and are therefore ideal for smaller gardens or container growing? And what about our own unique Christmas Tree, the Pohutakawa (Metrosideros) which is so easy and rewarding to grow in frost free areas.  

You won't get a better ground cover for difficult sites than our native Coprosma varieties. Then there are native "grasses" for mass planting and Hebes for adding year round colour. Corokias and Pittosporums for hedging, windbreaks, or no nonsense background foliage fillers. Did you know that the shy Pittosporum flowers have an exquisite perfume? Pseudopanax offer unique foliage form and colour and are ideal for adding height. In garden design our native plants can stand alone or combine superbly with exotic imports to provide a rich tapestry.  

For best results plant Native plants in early spring in a well considered position as, just like us, they resent being moved unnecessarily. Other than that most natives are extremely easy and rewarding to grow.  

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NZ's iconic native conifer. Slow growing but well worth the wait for the tree to mature into its stately form. When juvenile the foliage tends to have copper bronze tones but as the tree ages green is the more dominant colour. One to plant for your grand children! Est.10yr.growth.

 

Native. An interesting little shrub with stems that twist and tangle themselves into what is known as a divaricating mound. The foliage is tiny and the whole plant has tones of bronze-red. Hardy and robust - ideal for coastal sites. Plant in the sun. Evergreen.

 

Native. A unique little shrub or ground-cover with a tangled mass of curving, twisting, springy, inter-twining branches that are an unusual bronze orange tone. Tolerant of hot dry positions including coastal but not happy in cold frosty spots. Evergreen.

 

Native. A selected form of the ever popular and versatile Griselinia. Small glossy green foliage with undulating edges looks good all year round and 'Alpine' has a nice compact habit and high tolerance to just about any conditions including coastal. Fast growing - evergreen.

 

Native. Manuka AKA Tea Tree. Small, bright red double flowers open from tight buds in winter bringing some much needed colour to the garden. Neat and tidy green foliage, hardy and easy to grow. Prefers a sunny spot and a little trim after flowering. Evergreen.