FLOWERING SHRUBS NATIVE TO NEW ZEALAND.
ASTELIA.
Astelia species: Bush Lily - Bush Flax - Perching Lily - Kakaha or Kowharawhara (Maori Names).
BOTANICAL NAME: Astelia species: Common Name - Bush Lily, Bush Flax, Tree Bush Lily, Perching Lily, (Astelia banksii), Kakaha (Astelia fragrans), Kowharawhara (Astelia solandri). A genus of rhizomatous tufted perennials in the family Asteliaceae which are native to New Zealand. and the Pacific region as well as the Falkland Islands, Réunion and Mauritius, but the three species named plus A. chathamica, are native to NZ. The NZ species generally grow in forests, and are epiphytic, or part of the forest floor vegetation.. A banksii is generally epiphytic. A. chatamica is a good garden variety in Northland. Pictured is Astelia chatamica.
Astelia banksii: Perching Lily - Coastal Astelia - Shore Kowharawhara.
BOTANICAL NAME: Astelia banksii: Common Name - Coastal astelia, Shore Kowharawjara. Named after botanist Jpseph Banks, it is smaller and slower growing than Astelia chathamica and the leaves are narrower. Most commonly found growing as an epiphyte in the northern half of the North Island, generally on coastal cliffs and coastal lowland forest. Astelias have separate male and female plants and the fruit is found only on the female plant. Astelia banksii is one of the best Astelias for Northland as it is found naturally in the Northland bush. Photographs taken in the Coronation Reserve, Whangarei. Astelia's often suffer in exposed bush, from being blown out of trees during gales. Although technically incorrect, and although some can take root as ground plants in some areas, I would rather see these removed to the home garden, than left on the ground to die (see below).
BRACHYGLOTIS.
Brachyglotis kirkii: Kohurangi - Kohuhurangi (Maori).
BOTANICAL NAME : Brachyglotis kirkii - A flowering Kohurangi (or Kohuhurangi) Urostemon kirkii, growing to the side of the Ross Track. This evergreen native plant grows as an epiphyte or small ground shrub or as a small tree up to 3m in height. It can be found growing naturally in lowland or mountain bush from North Cape to the Coromanel Ranges. This photograph was taken at the end of winter.
N.B. This plant has been reclassified. Formerly Urostemon kirkii. Also known as Senecio kirkii.
N.B. This plant has been reclassified. Formerly Urostemon kirkii. Also known as Senecio kirkii.
COROKIA.
Corokia cotoneaster: Common Name Korokio (Maori) - Wire Netting Bush.
BOTANICAL NAME: Corokia cotoneaster. Common name, Wire-netting Bush, Maori Name, Korokio. A member of the family Argophyllaceae comprising about ten species native to New Zealand and one native to Australia. Corokia species are shrubs or small trees with zigzagging (divaricating) branches. In fact, C. cotoneaster is commonly known as wire-netting bush. The stems of the shrubs are dark when mature, covered with downy or silky hairs (tomentum) when young. Flowers appear in spring in clusters of small, star shaped yellow blossoms. Berries are red or yellow. Korokio grows well in Northland,
These photographs were taken in Regent, Whangarei, in the New World Supermarket border.
These photographs were taken in Regent, Whangarei, in the New World Supermarket border.
HEBE.
Hebe species: Hebe - Veronica.
BOTANICAL NAME: Hebe species - Common Name, Hebe, Veronica or Shrubby Veronica. A genus of plants native to New Zealand, but also Rapa in French Polynesia, the Falkland Islands, and South America. It is represented by about 90 species and is the largest plant genus in New Zealand. Apart from H. rapensis (endemic to Rapa), all species occur in New Zealand. This includes the two species, H. salicifolia and H. elliptica, that have distributions extending to South America. Flowers are arranged in a spiked inflorescence. Identification of Hebe species is difficult, especially if they are not in flower. The plants range in size from dwarf shrubs to small trees up to 7 metres, and are distributed from coastal to alpine ecosystems. Large-leaved species are normally found on the coast, in lowland scrub and along forest margins. At higher altitudes smaller-leaved species grow, and in alpine areas there are whipcord species with leaves reduced to thick scales. Hebes are grown in many gardens and public areas; they attract butterflies. Hebes cope with most soil types, and can be easily propagated from cuttings. Wild Hebe hybrids are uncommon; however, there are many cultivated hybrids, such as Hebe × franciscana. The Hebe Society, formed in 1985 under the auspices of the Royal Horticultural Society, promotes the cultivation and conservation of hebes and other New Zealand native plants. Below - Photographs showing different species and flower form of Hebe. Below is the Koromiko (H. salicifolia), a species that grows naturally in Northland, and has a stream in the A.H. Reed Memorial Scenic Reserve names after it (Waikoromiko Stream) as the srub grew prolifically on the banks and cliff faces, but is nowadays not as dominant as it once was. Next are Hebe speciosa varieties, and others.
LEPTOSPERMUM.
Leptospermum scoparium x varieties: NZ Tea Tree
BOTANICAL NAME: Leptospermum scoparium: Common Name - New Zealand Tea Tree. A genus of about 80-86 species of plants in the family Myrtaceae. Most species are found in Australia, with the largest number of species native to the southern pat of Western Australia, South Australia and Vivtori7 & New South Wales. The species L. scoparium is native to New Zealand, and L. recurvum is endemic to Malaysia. L. scoparium is a shrub reaching about 3 metre in cultivation, and up to 8 metres or 26feet in the wild. It has dense branches and flowers prolifically. The leaves are evergreen, alternate, simple, sharp-tipped, and small, in most species not over 1 cm long. The flowers are up to 3 cm diameter, with five white, pink or red petals. Two of the popular old hybrids are L. scoparium "Red Damask" and L. scoparium "Pink Damask"
METROSIDEROS.
Metrosideros kermadecensis 'Tahiti' - Dwarf Pahutokawa.
BOTANICAL NAME: Metrosideros kermadecensis var. 'Tahiti' (syn Metrosideros collina 'Tahiti'). Common name Dwarf Pohutokawa. A cultivated variety of the Southern Pohutokawa,
M. kermadecensis var. Tahiti' is an excellent rockery or pebble garden plant. it can also be grown in containers as a patio plant. These pictures were taken in Bank Street, Whangarei.
Some overseas nurseries call it Metrosideros collina 'Tahiti' , and describe it as a small slow growing shrub with neat gray-green thick rounded leaves and clusters of orange-red
flowers. It was selected from Metrosideros kermadecensis for its compact growth (to 3 ft tall and as wide ), and for its free flowering habit. Flowers appear through much of the year with the heaviest bloom in February, March and April . Photograph below left shows seed capsules.
M. kermadecensis var. Tahiti' is an excellent rockery or pebble garden plant. it can also be grown in containers as a patio plant. These pictures were taken in Bank Street, Whangarei.
Some overseas nurseries call it Metrosideros collina 'Tahiti' , and describe it as a small slow growing shrub with neat gray-green thick rounded leaves and clusters of orange-red
flowers. It was selected from Metrosideros kermadecensis for its compact growth (to 3 ft tall and as wide ), and for its free flowering habit. Flowers appear through much of the year with the heaviest bloom in February, March and April . Photograph below left shows seed capsules.
Phormium tenax: New Zealand Flax - Harakeke.
Phormium tenax. Common names are flax, harakeke in Māori. Outside of NZ it is known as the New Zealand flax, and New Zealand hemp. It is a bushy evergreen perennial, native to New Zealand and Norfolk Island that was an important fibre plant for weaving. It has been hybridized (see below) and is a popular ornamental plant for landscaping. The plant grows as a clump of long, straplike leaves, up to two meters long. The flower spikes are
long and arise from the centre of the bush. The flowers are yellow or red. The fibre was widely used in rope and sail making after the arrival of Europeans, up until at least WWII. It is a useful plant on banks and in borders
long and arise from the centre of the bush. The flowers are yellow or red. The fibre was widely used in rope and sail making after the arrival of Europeans, up until at least WWII. It is a useful plant on banks and in borders
Phormium cookianum: Mountain Flax.
BOTANICAL NAME: Phormium cookianum: Common Name - Mountain Flax. Mountain flax, Wharariki (Maori). P. cookianum is endemic to New Zealand, Most of the flax cultivars are derived from P. cookianum. A very useful plant for any native planting, despite its common name the New Zealand Mountain flax is found throughout New Zealand on coastal slopes to above treeline, among scrub or grasses. It is smaller than the New Zealand flax Phormium tenax and has more drooping leaves. The seed capsules of the P. cookianum are droping and twisted and not erect and angled as in P. tenax. (See picture below, taken in Cafler Park, Whangarei). The flowers are a source of nectar for the native birds, especially the tui and the bellbird.
Phormium Hybrids.
The two main species from which the new coloured hybrids have been bread are Phormium tenax, also known as harakeke. Seedlings of tenax can be variable from dark brown to green, however through a breeding programme there are several colourfull hubrids available to the home gardener. Phormium tenax is characterised by its bold and upright appearance.Phormium cookianum is commonly known as mountain flax and wharaiki by Maori. It is smaller than P.tenax, with softer hanging leaves, and the leaves are thinner. It was also used in weaving. Pictured are two hubrid varieties growing in a border on the corner of Western Hills Drive and Rust Avenue in Whangarei. The hybrids are grown mainly for their coloured foliage.