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. 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
Austroderia richardii (PLUG grown)
Toetoe - South Island Ht 1.5-2m
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.
Group trees and shrubs:
No
Categories:
- 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
Chionochloa flavicans (PLUG grown)
Toetoe - miniature Ht 60cm-1m
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.
Group trees and shrubs:
No
Categories:
- Grass - Strap like leaves
- NZ native
- Evergreen
- Tolerates exposed sites
- Tolerates dry sites
- Attractive flowers or catkins
- Container Grown
Carex secta (PLUG grown)
Purei or swamp sedge Ht 1m
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.
Group trees and shrubs:
No
Categories:
- Grass - Strap like leaves
- NZ native
- Evergreen
- Tolerates wet sites
- Tolerates exposed sites
- Container Grown
Carex flagellifera (PLUG grown)
Trip-me-up Ht 50-60cm
Dense tufts of arching leaves to form a mophead. 1 year old plants raised from a bronze coloured population. Prefers moist areas or forest
margins.
Group trees and shrubs:
No
Categories:
- Grass - Strap like leaves
- NZ native
- Evergreen
- Tolerates wet sites
- Tolerates shade
- Attractive autumn colours - brown
Astelia chathamica (PLUG grown)
Wharawhara or Astelia - Chatham Island Ht 50-150cm
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.
Group trees and shrubs:
No
Categories:
- 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
Pages
