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
Nyssa sinensis (PLUG grown)
Chinese tupelo Ht 12-15m
Broadly conical, deciduous. Leaves orange and red in autumn. Needs moist fertile site. Very rare in NZ. Worth a try.
Group trees and shrubs:
Yes
Categories:
- Small Tree
- Deciduous
- Tolerates wet sites
- Attractive autumn colours - yellow
- Attractive autumn colours - orange
- Attractive to birds
- Attractive berries fruits or cone
- Container Grown
Morus nigra
Black mulberry Ht 5-8m
Orient, cultivated for centuries. Broadly spreading, deciduous. Edible fruits, sweetly aromatic, deep red. Adult leaves dark green and rough on upper surface.
Group trees and shrubs:
Yes
Categories:
- Small Tree
- Deciduous
- Tolerates dry sites
- Attractive autumn colours - yellow
- Attractive to birds
- Attractive berries fruits or cone
- Edible fruits and seeds
- Tolerates limestone soils
Morus alba
White mulberry Ht 5-8m
China. Broadly spreading, deciduous. Light green leaves brighten up a brown drought-hit landscape. Fruits, small white turning red, edible but bland, loved by birds. Tolerates dry conditions. Silkworms are raised on the leaves in China.
Group trees and shrubs:
Yes
Categories:
- Small Tree
- Deciduous
- Tolerates dry sites
- Attractive autumn colours - yellow
- Attractive to birds
- Attractive berries fruits or cone
- Edible fruits and seeds
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
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