Native Plants

New Zealand native trees are popular choices for gardens due to their beauty, resilience, and ecological benefits. Here are some common types used in Kiwi gardens:

Known as the "New Zealand Christmas tree," it features vibrant red flowers in summer and is ideal for coastal gardens due to its salt tolerance.

Loved for its bright yellow flowers that attract native birds like tūī and bellbirds, kōwhai adds colour and life to any garden.

Known for its medicinal properties and beautiful small white or pink flowers, it’s perfect for low-maintenance gardens.

A versatile, architectural plant with tall, sword-like leaves and red flower spikes that attract nectar-feeding birds.

A striking tree with long, slender leaves and fragrant flowers, adding a distinctive Kiwi look to gardens.

A tall, elegant tree with red brush-like flowers, perfect as a specimen tree and loved by native birds.

A slow-growing, evergreen tree valued for its dense foliage and strong timber, suitable for larger gardens.

Choosing a New Zealand native tree from a trusted nursery ensures you receive healthy, high-quality plants that are well-suited to your garden's conditions. Reputable nurseries often provide expert advice on selecting the right tree for your specific needs, such as soil type, climate, and space availability. Their trees are typically grown locally, ensuring they are hardy, pest-free, and acclimatised, increasing the likelihood of successful growth. Trusted nurseries also offer eco-sourced or sustainably grown native plants, which help preserve local biodiversity and support native wildlife. Investing in trees from a reliable nursery ensures better long-term results, contributing to a thriving, beautiful, and environmentally friendly garden. Eco-sourced plants are relevant to native plant restoration where local biodiversity forms part of the project brief.

Choosing the right native tree for your garden involves considering the tree’s size, growth rate, and the conditions of your site. Start by assessing your garden space - smaller gardens suit compact trees like kōwhai or tī kōuka, while larger spaces can accommodate tall species like tōtara or pūriri. Take into account the soil type, sunlight exposure, and moisture levels, for example, kahikatea thrives in damp areas, while pōhutukawa is ideal for coastal conditions. Think about the purpose of the tree - whether it’s for attracting wildlife, providing shade, or adding visual appeal - and select species that fulfil those needs. Lastly, go for low-maintenance options like mānuka or kānuka if you prefer a resilient, fuss-free addition to your garden.

If you’re undertaking a big outdoor and landscaping project, there are some other types of trees and plants that may be of interest. For example, hedges are a great solution for natural shading, sheltering and screening with many diverse species to choose from. Exotic plants, on the other hand, can often provide a bit of tropical flair to a garden with vibrant colours that aren’t always available locally. Finally, using climbing plants is a quick and easy way to create a wall of natural foliage which can serve both functional and decorative purposes.