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aka Chinese Beauty Berry

A favourite amongst florists. The Chinese Beauty Berry is unique and beautiful when the slender branches are all dressed up with rich purple shiny berries from autumn through to winter. These are followed by soft downy sage green leaves. Prune after berries fall. Deciduous.

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Recently introduced by the JC Raulston Arboretum, this hybrid boasts 5-8cm deep wine red magnolia like flowers. Handsome shrub with lustrous dark green disease resistant foliage; flowering stems are outstanding in vases.

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Attractive medium shrub. The branches of fern like foliage are flattened and slender with pendulous tips. Clusters of fragrant white, veined purple flowers in summer. One of our most beautiful New Zealand native shrubs. Hardy and likes well drained soil. Tolerates dry, windy and cold conditions.

Occurs in lowland to mountain regions of the North Island, along streamsides and around forest margins south of Gisbourne.

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aka Buttercup Tree

Buttercup Tree. This evergreen shrub is a real stand out in the winter garden. The dark green foliage is covered by a mass of bright yellow 'buttercup' blooms from autumn through winter. Easy to grow in a sunny well drained spot preferably with some wind protection.

As the 'Buttercup Tree' blooms on new growth it is a good idea to prune after flowering each year to encourage new shoots. Don't worry if the leaflets fold at night - they do this naturally - isn't nature clever?

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aka Californian Lilac

A hardy sun-loving ground cover with rich blue pin-cushion type flowers that literally cover the plant. Prefers a sunny site in soil with good drainage. Tolerates some coastal exposure. Trim after flowering to retain density. Evergreen.

Ceanothus fix nitrogen from the atmosphere so require no fertiliser.

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aka Californian Lilac

This NZ cultivar of the popular 'Californian Lilac' is a fast growing spreading shrub useful for tumbling over walls or for using as a ground-cover. In spring masses of blue flower heads smother the bright green foliage. Likes a sunny well drained spot and protection from harsh frost. Evergreen.

Prune after flowering to keep tidy. Ceanothus fix nitrogen from the atmosphere so require no fertiliser.

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aka California Lilac

An attractive spreading evergreen shrub which features sparkling clusters of dark blue flowers in late spring. The shiny foliage turns a deeps ebony shade during winter, changing to dark chocolate-green during spring and summer. Quite hardy and tolerant of wind and cold. PVR 1334.

This is a very useful shrub for cascading over walls and banks. Benefits from a trim every now and then (after flowering) to encourage healthy new growth. Very striking in full flower.

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aka California Lilac

Std. An attractive evergreen shrub which features sparkling clusters of dark blue flowers in late spring. The shiny foliage turns a deeps ebony shade during winter, changing to dark chocolate-green during spring and summer. Quite hardy and tolerant of wind and cold. PVR 1334.

Ceanothus fix nitrogen from the atmosphere so require no fertiliser.

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This spreading prostrate evergreen produces tight clusters of powder-blue flowers. These contrast nicely with the small lime green leaves that are splashed a darker green. This plant needs a well drained warm site in full sun position. Once established it requires little attention other than a light pruning after flowering.

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aka California Lilac

Californian Lilac. Once Joyce gets settled in the garden she will spread herself around a bit as she grows wider than she is tall. Great plant for hot dry banks. Masses of bright blue blooms spring-summer. Likes the sun and good drainage and protection from harsh frost. Evergreen.

Ceanothus fix nitrogen from the atmosphere so require no fertiliser.