Phormium tenax (seedlings ex Goliath)
Harakeke or giant swamp flax Ht 3m
Native, stiffly erect evergreen. Taller than usual flax, useful for sheltering stock. Seed pods stand erect. Favours wet sites but adaptable. Used for shelter in exposed moist coastal sites.
Group trees and shrubs:
No
Categories:
- Grass - Strap like leaves
- NZ native
- Evergreen
- Resistant to salt spray
- Tolerates exposed sites
- Tolerates dry sites
- Attractive flowers or catkins
- Attractive to birds
- Attractive berries fruits or cone
- Attracts bees
- Shelter
Phormium tenax chathamica
Harakeke or Chatham Island flax Ht 1m
Broadly spreading, evergreen. From wild collected seed. Shorter growth than mainland swamp flax, Broad leaf blade bending near the top.
Adapted to severe coastal exposure.
Group trees and shrubs:
No
Categories:
- Grass - Strap like leaves
- NZ native
- Evergreen
- Resistant to salt spray
- Tolerates wet sites
- Tolerates exposed sites
- Tolerates dry sites
- Attractive flowers or catkins
- Attractive to birds
- Attractive berries fruits or cone
- Attracts bees
- Erosion control
- Shelter
Phormium cookianum purpureum
Harakeke or bronze flax Ht 1.5-2.5m
Broadly spreading, evergreen. Broad drooping bronze-purple blades producing a typical coastal flax form.
Group trees and shrubs:
No
Categories:
- Grass - Strap like leaves
- NZ native
- Evergreen
- Resistant to salt spray
- Tolerates wet sites
- Tolerates exposed sites
- Tolerates dry sites
- Attractive flowers or catkins
- Attractive to birds
- Attractive berries fruits or cone
- Attracts bees
- Erosion control
- Shelter
Phormium cookianum ssp. hookeri
Wharariki or Coastal flax Ht 1.5-2m
Broadly spreading, evergreen. Broad arching green blades, with erect stalked flower heads in spring. The flowers attract birds. The seed pods are long, open twisted & pendulous. Grows on coastal cliffs and hills. Adaptable to many sites.
Group trees and shrubs:
No
Categories:
- Grass - Strap like leaves
- NZ native
- Evergreen
- Resistant to salt spray
- Tolerates exposed sites
- Tolerates dry sites
- Attractive flowers or catkins
- Attractive to birds
- Attractive berries fruits or cone
- Attracts bees
- Erosion control
- Shelter
Phormium cookianum ssp. cookianum
Wharariki or Mountain flax Ht 0.6m
Stiffly erect, evergreen leaves with a dark brown stripe on the edge. Very hardy, naturally growing in subalpine areas. Flowers attract birds and bees Suitable for small gardens and low cover on exposed sites.
Group trees and shrubs:
No
Categories:
- Grass - Strap like leaves
- NZ native
- Evergreen
- Resistant to salt spray
- Tolerates exposed sites
- Tolerates dry sites
- Attractive flowers or catkins
- Attractive to birds
- Attractive berries fruits or cone
- Attracts bees
Nyssa sylvatica (POT grown)
Tupelo Ht 20-25m
E Nth America. Broadly conical, deciduous. Excellent orange & red autumn colours. Grows in swampy and dry hill sites. Wood is heavy, soft, strong, very tough, not durable. Special prized honey producer.
Group trees and shrubs:
Yes
Categories:
- Medium tree
- Deciduous
- Tolerates wet sites
- Attractive autumn colours - red
- Attractive to birds
- Attractive berries fruits or cone
- Container Grown
Nyssa sylvatica v. biflora (POT grown)
Twin flowered tupelo Ht 8-10m
S E USA. Broadly conical, deciduous. Small slender trunked tree suited to confined spaces. Prefers moist sites and grows less vigorously on dry sites. Early autumn colour bright red. Special prized honey producer.
Group trees and shrubs:
No
Categories:
- Small Tree
- Deciduous
- Tolerates wet sites
- Attractive autumn colours - red
- Attractive to birds
- Attractive berries fruits or cone
- Container Grown
Michelia yunnanensis (POT grown)
Yunnan bush michelia Ht 1-3m
Broadly spreading evergreen. Frost tolerant shrub with masses of large white flowers in spring. A recent introduction from Yunnan. Suitable for the smaller garden.
Group trees and shrubs:
Yes
Categories:
- Shrub
- Evergreen
- Attractive flowers or catkins
- Attractive to birds
- Attractive berries fruits or cone
- Attracts bees
- Container Grown
Metasequoia glyptostroboides
Dawn redwood Ht 30-40m
China. Conical, deciduous. Long fossil history. Found growing in NW Hupeh in 1941. New seed import brings wider genetic base to NZ. Cypress-like timber is light, strong and durable. Prefers damp sites, deep rooted shade tree for streamsides.
Group trees and shrubs:
No
Categories:
- Large tree
- Deciduous
- Tolerates wet sites
- Attractive autumn colours - brown
- Attractive flowers or catkins
- Attractive berries fruits or cone
- Timber
- Erosion control
- Forestry species
Laurus nobilis (POT grown)
Bay tree or bay laurel Ht 10-15m
Mediterranean. Broadly conical, evergreen. Dark green leaves aromatic when crushed, used in cooking. Forms a dense screen, clips well as a hedge. Thrives in coastal areas.
Group trees and shrubs:
Yes
Categories:
- Small Tree
- Evergreen
- Resistant to salt spray
- Tolerates exposed sites
- Tolerates dry sites
- Tolerates shade
- Attractive flowers or catkins
- Attractive to birds
- Attractive berries fruits or cone
- Attracts bees
- Erosion control
- Shelter
- Container Grown
- Hedging
- Tolerates limestone soils
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