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
Photinia x fraseri 'Red Robin' (POT grown)
Photinia Red Robin Ht 2-3m
Hybrid developed in NZ. Broadly spreading evergreen shrub. Clips well into a neat hedge, the new shoots attractive red against dark green older leaves.
Group trees and shrubs:
Yes
Categories:
- Shrub
- Evergreen
- Tolerates exposed sites
- Tolerates dry sites
- Attractive flowers or catkins
- Shelter
- Container Grown
- Hedging
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
Ophiopogon planiscapus nigrescens (POT grown)
Black mondo grass Ht 15cm
East Asia. Tufted grass-like plant, a member of the lily family. Purplish black leaves with small bell shaped pink flowers in summer, followed by glossy black purplish berries. Plant in full sun or light shade, tolerates dry spells.
Group trees and shrubs:
Yes
Categories:
- Grass - Strap like leaves
- Evergreen
- Tolerates shade
- 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
Michelia figo (POT grown)
Port wine magnolia Ht 2-3m
China. Broadly columnar, evergreen. Leaves small, dark glossy-green. Flowers small, brown-purple, strongly scented, produced through spring and summer.
Group trees and shrubs:
Yes
Categories:
- Shrub
- Evergreen
- Container Grown
Leptospermum scoparium (PLUG grown)
Manuka Ht 3-4m
Narrowly conical when young, evergreen. White flowers in profusion from Dec. worked by bees. Tolerates exposed, wet and infertile sites. Useful nurse shrub for native revegetation projects.
Group trees and shrubs:
No
Categories:
- Small Tree
- NZ native
- Evergreen
- Tolerates wet sites
- Tolerates exposed sites
- Tolerates dry sites
- Attractive flowers or catkins
- Attracts bees
- Firewood
- Erosion control
- Shelter
- Container Grown
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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