Natives
Astelia chathamica (PLUG grown)
Wharawhara or Astelia - Chatham Island Ht 50-150cm
Grass - Strap like leaves / NZ native / Evergreen / Resistant to salt spray / Tolerates wet sites / Tolerates exposed sites / Attractive flowers or catkins / Attractive to birds / Attractive berries fruits or cone / Container Grown / Cold hardy (H4) (-10 to -5C)
NZ native. Robust, erect, broad silvery leaves drooping at the tip. Orange fruits in the centre of the clump. Occurs on wet peaty soils, but will grow in drier conditions.
Austroderia richardii (PLUG grown)
Toetoe - South Island Ht 1.5-2m
Grass - Strap like leaves / NZ native / Evergreen / Resistant to salt spray / Tolerates wet sites / Tolerates exposed sites / Attractive flowers or catkins / Attractive berries fruits or cone / Erosion control / Shelter / Container Grown / Cold hardy (H4) (-10 to -5C)
Height of grass blades 1m. Flower heads 2m. Large evergreen grass with attractive creamy-white plumed flower heads in November / December. Pioneer alongside rivers and erosion scars.
Brachyglottis compacta (POT grown)
Castlepoint daisy Ht 1m
Shrub / NZ native / Evergreen / Tolerates exposed sites / Tolerates dry sites / Attractive flowers or catkins / Attracts bees / Container Grown / Tolerates limestone soils
Bushy grey-green stout branched compact shrub. Leaves leathery 2-4cm long, dark green, white beneath, margins upcurved, wavy. Flowers daisy-like furry with yellow radiating petals in single or small clusters Jan & Feb. Naturally uncommon. Growing on limestone cliffs around Castlepoint, Wairarapa. Withstands strong, drying and salt laden winds, an attractive shrub.
Carex comans (PLUG grown)
Maurea or Longwood Tussock Ht 30-40cm
Grass - Strap like leaves / NZ native / Evergreen / Resistant to salt spray / Tolerates exposed sites / Tolerates dry sites / Container Grown / Cold hardy (H4) (-10 to -5C)
Densely tufted. Very pale green foliage, with bleached ends curling over, giving a whitish appearance. Seed heads on long stalks that lie on the ground. Tolerates a range of conditions including coastal and dry situations.
Carex comans (red) (PLUG grown)
Maurea or Longwood Tussock (red) Ht 30-40 cm
NZ native / Evergreen / Tolerates exposed sites / Container Grown / Cold hardy (H4) (-10 to -5C)
A native grass,with a red/bronze colour. Hair-like leaves growing in clumps. Ideal for borders and landscaping. Prefers well-frained soils. Tolerates a range of conditions. Cold hardy.
Carex secta (PLUG grown)
Purei or swamp sedge Ht 1m
Grass - Strap like leaves / NZ native / Evergreen / Tolerates wet sites / Tolerates exposed sites / Container Grown / Cold hardy (H4) (-10 to -5C)
Large tussock often forming thick trunks to 1m. Requires moist soil conditions. Often seen on lake, pond or stream edges. Attractive yellow-green or golden hue.
Carex testacea (PLUG grown)
Orange sedge Ht 50-60cm
Grass - Strap like leaves / NZ native / Evergreen / Resistant to salt spray / Tolerates exposed sites / Tolerates dry sites / Tolerates shade / Attractive autumn colours - brown / Attractive flowers or catkins / Container Grown / Cold hardy (H4) (-10 to -5C)
Dense tufted plant with arching, wide spreading foliage. Seed from a good rust red coloured population. Flowering stems same length as leaves, elongate as seed matures, up to 2mts & sprawl over the ground. Grows in dry & coastal conditions.
Carmichaelia australis (PLUG grown)
Makaka or Common native broom Ht 1-2m
Shrub / NZ native / Evergreen / Tolerates exposed sites / Tolerates dry sites / Attracts bees / Container Grown / Cold hardy (H4) (-10 to -5C)
A narrow stemmed leafless native broom from a dry rocky ridge, east of Wakefield. Purple flushed flowers and the thin green branches weep.
Chionochloa conspicua (PLUG grown)
Plumed tussock grass Ht 1m+
Grass - Strap like leaves / NZ native / Evergreen / Tolerates wet sites / Tolerates exposed sites / Attractive flowers or catkins / Attractive berries fruits or cone / Erosion control / Container Grown / Cold hardy (H4) (-10 to -5C)
Broadly spreading when in flower. The rather open tall flower heads, seen in sunlight, against a dark green background of bush, are beautiful.
Chionochloa flavicans (PLUG grown)
Toetoe - miniature Ht 60cm-1m
Grass - Strap like leaves / NZ native / Evergreen / Tolerates exposed sites / Tolerates dry sites / Attractive flowers or catkins / Container Grown / Cold hardy (H4) (-10 to -5C)
Looks like a miniature toe toe. Flowing green foliage. Drooping greenish flower plumes turn cream then fawny brown. Attractive for months. Full sun or light shade.
Chionochloa rubra (PLUG grown)
Wi kura or Red tussock Ht 1m
Grass - Strap like leaves / NZ native / Evergreen / Tolerates exposed sites / Tolerates dry sites / Container Grown / Cold hardy (H4) (-10 to -5C)
A tall robust tussock with tawny flowing foliage. Flowering plumes remain within or just above the foliage. Tolerates windy sites, low fertility, relatively wet or dry soil conditions.
Cordyline australis (PLUG grown)
Ti Kouka or Cabbage Tree
Small Tree / Grass - Strap like leaves / NZ native / Evergreen / Resistant to salt spray / Tolerates wet sites / Tolerates exposed sites / Attractive autumn colours - yellow / Attractive flowers or catkins / Attractive to birds / Attractive berries fruits or cone / Attracts bees / Erosion control / Shelter / Container Grown / Cold hardy (H4) (-10 to -5C)
Single stem initially, then branched with strap-like leaves, evergreen. Tolerates a wide range of sites, including coastal and swampy sites. Our selection is from a cold inland Canterbury site.