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aka Chinese Lantern, Flowering Maple

Hybridum Chinese Lantern. There is something about the bright pink 'lantern' blooms of this evergreen shrub that is particularly appealing, perhaps they just combine so well with the evergreen foliage or they just look so bright and cheerful nearly all year round. Easy to grow in sun or part shade.

Abutilon respond well to a bit of a hard-prune every now and then to keep a nice compact shape. Make sure you use nice sharp secateurs and prune on a dry warm day.

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aka Chinese Lantern, Flowering Maple

Hybridum Chinese Lantern. What a fantastic evergreen shrub this is with non stop flower power and and so easy care. Will grow in the sun or part shade and responds well to a good chop back every now and then. Bright orange lantern flowers look festive amongst the dark green foliage. Can be container grown.

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aka Chinese Lantern, Flowering Maple

Hybridum Chinese Lantern. What a fantastic evergreen shrub this is with non stop flower power and and so easy care. Will grow in the sun or part shade and responds well to a good chop back every now and then. Hot red lantern flowers combine well with the green foliage. Suitable for containers.

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aka Chinese Lantern, Flowering Maple

Hybridum Chinese Lantern. What a fantastic evergreen shrub this is with non stop flower power and and so easy care. Will grow in the sun or part shade and responds well to a good chop back every now and then. Pure white lantern flowers combine well with the green foliage. Suitable for containers.

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aka Slender Sweet Flag

Evergreen perennial that looks a little bit like a cross between and Iris and a grass. The leaves are attractively striped in shades of chartreuse and cream. The foliage is unusually aromatic. Ideal for planting in bog gardens or at the edge of ponds to a depth of 20cm. Prefers sun.

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aka Sweet Flag

Sweet Flag. This little perennial from Japan forms a clump of flattened green leaves on short rhizomes both of which have a sweet cinnamon fragrance, especially when dried. Ideal for boggy spots or at pond/stream edges. Quite hardy and easy to grow. Semi-evergreen.

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aka Ladys Mantle

Alchemilla mollis 'Thriller' is larger and more robust than the species, forming mounds of lobed, grayish-green fuzzy leaves topped by airy yellow flowers in spring. It is best in moist soil in part shade. Great as a groundcover or for cutting.

The common name is the Lady Mantle.The wavy edged leaves are meant to represent the cloak or mantle that covered Mary as she travelled to Bethlehem.

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aka Peruvian Lily Inticancha

Bred for its compact habit and long flowering period - spring to autumn - this little perennial is definitely a top performer. Large blooms in tones of apricot and peach that would look great combined with terracotta. Plant in sun or semi-shade in well drained soil. Perennial. PVR

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aka Peruvian Lily

Summer Paradise Series. Soft pink edges with a white throat on flowers which are perfect for picking. Taller than our other varieties Summer Holiday flowers on strong stems and stays compact and upright in your garden for weeks. Great for picking. Forms a nice compact clump in the garden or a container. Perennial.

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Submerged plant. A popular aquarium plant which can be grown fully submerged. Adaptable to all areas of the pond. The leaves are green from above, while the undersides and stems are light red. Foliage must be above water to produce small white flowers. Full sun to partial shade.

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aka Wind Grass

Wetland Native. Wind Grass. An attractive and hardy perennial grass that is ideal for mass planting in difficult spots. The leaves are long, narrow and dark green tinged with orange especially in the winter. The fluffy flowers appear on arching stems in summer and are purple-pink. Evergreen.

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aka Avocado (Group A)

A popular Avocado with fruit that ripens summer-autumn. It is a beautiful evergreen tree that loves a warm sheltered position with excellent drainage. The fruit is rich in mono-unsaturated oils, proteins and vitamins. Delicious nutty flavour. Protect from frost when young. Group A Evergreen.

Avocado Information Page

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aka Bacopa

Submerged plant. Easy growing ground cover, ideal for wet, boggy areas however can be grown completely submerged. Large rounded fleshy green foliage, thick hairy stems with small white lavender flowers if grown above water. Trim to promote bushier growth.

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aka Sweet Basil

Where would summer be without Basil to add fragrance and flavour to a multitude of dishes? Large shiny green leaves that taste great fresh - wonderful for Pesto. Leaves can be frozen for future use if you have an over-production. Loves the sun and good drainage. Protect from frost. Annual.

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aka Lemon bee balm

The flowers are very pretty in white or pink with purple dots, growing in typical Bergamot fashion. Young leaves can be used in tea or for any gourmet dish, especially fish, where a strong lemon flavour would add interest. An attractive plant that will attract the attention of bees, as well as people, in any herb garden.

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Yummy. Large dark rich red mouth watering berry that is just delicious. A cross between boysenberry/loganberries. Thornless and a heavy cropper. Self-fertile. Pick fresh from the vine. Harvest when fruit turns dark red and are easy to remove. December-January. Deciduous.

As a bramble this plant forms a great screen and can be cut back the following winter. Trademarked under this name.

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Blueberry Rabbiteye. Developed in conjunction with Plant and Food Research this variety has delicious large dark blue fruit that are ready to pick from around January. Suitable for the warmer districts of NZ. Plant in the sun, in rich acid soil with 'Blue Magic' or 'Tasty Blue'. Evergreen. PVR.

Blueberries taste best when left to ripen on the bush 7-10 days after turning blue. Trademarked under this name. It is important to remember that Blueberries fruit on the previous years wood and whilst they are self-fertile they will always do better with a companion.
Suitable for warmer areas including Auckland/Northland

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A rabbiteye variety developed in conjunction with Plant and Food Research. The berries are large, rounded, brilliant blue and very juicy. Ready to eat from early February. Plant in the sun in rich acid soil for best results. Happiest with a companion - 'Delite' or 'Powder Blue'. PVR. Evergreen.

It is important to remember that Blueberries fruit on the previous years wood and whilst they are self-fertile they will always do better with a companion.
Suitable for warmer areas including Auckland/Northland

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A delicious berry that can be picked straight from the plant and popped into your mouth. White flowers in early Spring followed by large firm conical dark purple black berries. Crops December to Janurary. Fruits are ready when easy to pull from vine.

Moderately vigorous and mostly spineless canes. Self fertile. Insect and bee pollinated.

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A useful and attractive perennial with grey/green foliage and pretty sprays of mauve flowers that appear from spring right through to autumn. Useful as an edging for flower beds. Loves a sunny position and a good haircut every now and then. Hardy, evergreen easy to grow if you can keep your cats off it long enough!

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aka Camomile

Chamomile is one of the most popular herbs in the Western world. Chamomile has been used as a medicine for thousands of years; used to calm frayed nerves, to treat stomach problems, to relieve muscle spasms, and to treat skin conditions and mild infections. Chamomile tea aids sleep. Annual.

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Comfrey should be termed as a 'super-plant' it can be used as a medicinal herb, tea, vegetable, animal feed and green manure. Tall and wide spreading, it reaches a height of 60 to 90cm. With large, coarse leaves and flowers which are blue or creamy white grow in spikes and bloom all summer. It is easy to grow. Perennial.

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aka Water plant, Umbrella grass

Aquatic. An attractive ornamental Cyperus plant with long umbrella-like fronds. Grows in sun to part shade. Prefers moist soil or water up to 15cm deep. Great for water gardens, ponds or pots. Perennial.

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Pyrethrum is a great companion plant, used to keep many of the unwanted insects from your beloved plants. Pyrethrins are an aphid alarm pheromone which can be used to repel pest insects from nearby crops. Can be grown indoors. Perennial.

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aka Coneflower

Moodz Amaze belongs to an improved series of Echinacea with a shorter bushier habit and huge flower power. Ideal for hot dry spots, providing a long lasting splash of colour. Course dark green leaves, with a large golden yellow daisy-like flowers that appear in summer until the first frost. Perennial

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aka Coneflower

Add a bright splash of Cerise pink to your autumn gardening and invite busy bees to your garden too. A more compact habit than traditional Echinacea which creates beautiful rounded mounds of flowers from early summer through to the first frosts. Beautiful in a pot or in the garden. Perennial.

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aka Coneflower

Moodz are a brilliant series of Echinacea with a more compact habit than the traditional forms. The fearless variety is new to us this year (2026) and has orange petals surrounding a green central cone, which gives them a fresh look. Flowers profusely on a well-branched and rounded plant. Perennial.

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aka Coneflower

The Moodz are a brilliant new series of Echinacea with a more compact habit than traditional Echinacea which creates beautiful rounded mounds of flowers from early summer through to the first frosts. With stunning, peach colour, cone shaped flowers this would be my favourite colour. Perennial

Pinch out finished stems to encourage repeat flowering. Prefers a hot dry and sunny site. Dry tolerant, but water regularly in the heat. Apply slug bait.

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aka Coneflower

A stunning perennial with cone shaped flowers that look beautiful on the patio in a pot or in the garden. Its light peach flowers stand on strong stems above dark green foliage. Prefers a hot dry and sunny position. Perennial

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aka Coneflower

A lovely variety from the Moodz Series. With its light lemon petals and bronze cones, the flowers stand on strong stems above dark green foliage. Prefers a hot dry and sunny site. Dry tolerant, but water regularly. Lovely in a pot or in the garden. Perennial.

Dead head regularly to encourage more flowers and leave undisturbed to multiply.

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aka Native Begonia, Parataniwha

Native. This shade loving herbaceous ground cover also loves the damp. Found at the base of waterfalls and along streams and gullies so plant where consistent moisture is available. Filtered light will bring out the bronze tones but full shade is enjoyed by this lovely native perennial. Looks great co planted with ferns. Evergreen.

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aka Escallonia

A hardy, tolerant and easy to grow evergreen shrub that is perfect for hedging or background planting. Glossy green foliage all year round and tubular apple blossom pink flowers from spring to late summer. Responds well to a good haircut. Bees love the flowers.

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aka Fig Edible

This Adriatic type Fig is a heavy producer of medium sized, bell shaped, green/yellow skinned fruit with gorgeous red flesh that is rich and sugary. The tree forms into a round topped spreading tree with deep green lobed leaves. Self pollinating. Harvest in April when fruit starts to fall. Deciduous

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Bushy compact flowering perennial with deep red daisy like flowers through summer. Keep dead headed for repeat flowering. Loves sun in well drained soil

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Pure white butterfly shaped flowers smother the stems, a delight in both vase and garden from late spring through to winter. Gaura So White has both a clean, disease free foliage and a compact habit. Attracts butterflies. A very easy-care, rewarding perennial which grows easily in sunny situations.

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Sparkle White forms a mound of narrow, green leaves with airy arching stems of dainty white flowers tinged pink from late spring through to late summer. Great for containers, edging or in the rock garden. When flowering enmasse they give the impression of butterflies in flight when the wind moves them. Perennial

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The Goji Berry is an ancient medicinal and culinary plant from Asia that is highly valued for its therapeutic qualities. Green foliage, purple and white flowers in summer followed by nutrient packed red berries. Grows best in a sunny well drained position. Self-pollinating, hardy and deciduous.

The Goji Berry will eventually form a strong trunk a bit like a grape-vine. The somewhat trailing branches can be trained as required. Fruiting should occur after the 2nd year with full production around year 5. Quite drought tolerant once established. This so called 'Superfood' is certainly worth a try.

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aka Grape Table

A popular NZ bred table grape that ripens towards the end of autumn. Good weather and disease resistance. Large-medium black fruit that look and taste great with an aromatic spicy flavour. Grapes will grow in most soils but do better with good drainage and of course they love the sun. Deciduous.

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A New Zealand native. Semi-aquatic plant with reddish brown stems and bright green leaves. White small trumpet-like flowers. The plants can grow in water submerged up to 1m or as a margin plant. Prefers semi-shaded area. Tolerates cool temperatures if sheltered. Perennial.

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aka Babys Breath

A popular perennial with florists because of the sprays of double white fragrant flowers held above the foliage on wiry stems. Does well in a sunny well drained spot. Cut back the first flush of flowers to encourage re-bloom. Doesn't like being moved so choose your planting spot well.

Though Gypsophila is hardy it is seldom very long lived - good drainage and deep alkaline soil that is not too heavy will help it thrive. Calcium and magnesium help keep the pH high and a side dressing of a little Lime wouldn't hurt either.