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. 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
- Hedging
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
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. spacing 500-700mm. 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
Helleborus x sternii (POT grown)
Green flowered hellebore Ht 50cm
A hybrid of Helleborus lividus x H. argutifolius from Corsica. Apple green mass of flowers May to September contrasts with the grey-green foliage. Likes the sun and well drained soil.
Group trees and shrubs:
Yes
Categories:
- Shrub
- Evergreen
- Tolerates dry sites
- Tolerates shade
- Attractive flowers or catkins
- Container Grown
Helleborus orientalis dark (POT grown)
Winter rose (dark colours) Ht 50cm
Seed imported from a UK collector, very dark flowers in winter worked by bees. A perennial ground cover for under deciduous trees.
Group trees and shrubs:
Yes
Categories:
- Shrub
- Evergreen
- Tolerates dry sites
- Tolerates shade
- Attractive flowers or catkins
- Container Grown
Helleborus orientalis (POT grown)
Winter rose (mixed colours) Ht 50cm
Perennial raised from seed, white or pink flowers in late winter worked by bees. Plant amongst deciduous trees and shrubs.
Group trees and shrubs:
Yes
Categories:
- Shrub
- Evergreen
- Tolerates shade
- Attractive flowers or catkins
- Container Grown
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