Phormium tenax
Harakeke or swamp flax Ht 2-3m
NZ evergreen. Broad erect green or bluish-green blades, erect tall flower heads in spring attract nectar feeding birds. 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 wet sites
- Tolerates exposed sites
- Attractive flowers or catkins
- Attractive to birds
- Attractive berries fruits or cone
- Attracts bees
- Erosion control
- Shelter
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
Alnus glutinosa
European or black alder Ht 20-25m
Broadly conical, deciduous. Vigorous growth and good form. Habitat beside rivers and will grow in very wet places. Tolerates salt winds better than the other alders. Good firewood crop to utilise wet ground. Timber durable under water.
Group trees and shrubs:
Yes
Categories:
- Medium tree
- Deciduous
- Resistant to salt spray
- Tolerates wet sites
- Tolerates exposed sites
- Attractive flowers or catkins
- Timber
- Firewood
- Erosion control
- Shelter
Griselinia littoralis (OG grown)
Kapuka or Broadleaf Ht 5-15m
Broadly spreading, evergreen. Common throughout NZ. Long lived. Tolerates salt laden winds. A good screening plant with its glossy green leaves. Palatable to stock and possums.
Cold hardy form from the Lewis Pass.
Group trees and shrubs:
No
Categories:
- Shrub
- NZ native
- Evergreen
- Resistant to salt spray
- Tolerates exposed sites
- Tolerates shade
- Attractive to birds
- Erosion control
- Shelter
- Hedging
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
Acer pseudoplatanus purpureum
Sycamore (purple under leaf) Ht 25-30m
Broadly columnar, deciduous. Vigorous grower. Similar in all characteristics to the green leaf form. The purple colour under the leaf adds variety. White hardwood joinery timber.
Group trees and shrubs:
Yes
Categories:
- Large tree
- Deciduous
- Resistant to salt spray
- Tolerates exposed sites
- Tolerates dry sites
- Attractive berries fruits or cone
- Attracts bees
- Timber
- Firewood
Acer pseudoplatanus
Sycamore Ht 25-30m
Europe and south west Asia. Broadly columnar, deciduous. Vigorous grower. Tolerates harsh conditions. Can seed prolifically and provide fodder for grazing animals. In Central Otago it gives good yellow autumn colour.
Group trees and shrubs:
Yes
Categories:
- Large tree
- Deciduous
- Resistant to salt spray
- Tolerates exposed sites
- Tolerates dry sites
- Attractive autumn colours - yellow
- Attractive berries fruits or cone
- Attracts bees
- Timber
- Firewood
- Tolerates limestone soils
Laurus nobilis (PLUG 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
Griselinia littoralis 'Broadway Mint' (POT grown)
Kapuka or Broadleaf "Broadway Mint" Ht 5-15m
Selected NZ clone, upright habit, evergreen larger glossy green leaves with a wavy edge. Clips well to a formal hedge.Can be damaged by -8C.
Group trees and shrubs:
No
Categories:
- Shrub
- NZ native
- Evergreen
- Resistant to salt spray
- Tolerates exposed sites
- Shelter
- Container Grown
- Hedging
Dodonaea viscosa purpurea (PLUG grown)
Akeake - purple Ht 3-6m
Broadly spreading, evergreen. Purple to bronze foliage with red winged fruits in Jan/Feb. Tough shelter shrub for exposed and coastal conditions. Too frost tender for inland South Island areas.
Group trees and shrubs:
No
Categories:
- Small Tree
- NZ native
- Evergreen
- Resistant to salt spray
- Tolerates exposed sites
- Tolerates dry sites
- Attractive to birds
- Attractive berries fruits or cone
- Erosion control
- Shelter
- Container Grown
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