Natives  ⏵  Kowhai

Kowhai

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Kowhai is Yellow in Maori and in the early summer these beauitful native trees look stunning as the blooms cover the tree and turn them bright yellow - when in flower the Tui and other birds flock in to sip the sweet nectar. These easy to grow natives have little rounded leaves that develop on opposite of stems, giving them a delicate lacy form, their bark is smoothe and patchy. Varieties available can attain heights from 1.5 m to 10 m+ - so there's one for every garden!

10 LISTINGS FOR KOWHAI
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aka Coastal Kowhai

Native. Commonly known as Coastal Kowhai which immediately gives you a clue to this plants natural habitat i.e. coastal forests. Dark green foliage and bright yellow, fragrant flowers from late winter to spring. Will grow in sun or part shade. Semi-evergreen.

This form of Kowhai should be evergreen but occasionally when the weather is extreme it may drop some foliage.

 

Flower Colour: Yellow
Habit: Upright
Mature Size 7-10 yrs (HxW): 6m x 4m

Sophora Chathamica

Expected Stock Height: 80/100 cm  ? 

Currently sold out. Add to your waitlist to be advised when next in stock.

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Picture of Sophora Dragons Gold
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aka Kowhai

If you want a well behaved, rewarding evergreen shrub then it would be hard to go past this delightful little Kowhai. Compact and tidy and completely covered in rich yellow bells in late winter that birds love, especially Tui and Waxeyes. Easy to grow in sun or part shade. Evergreen

 

Flower Colour: Yellow
Habit: Compact
Mature Size 7-10 yrs (HxW): 2.5m x 2m

Sophora Dragons Gold

Expected Stock Height: 20/30 cm  ? 

New stock expected Beginning of March, 2025. Waitlist now. Estimated price $29.99. Payment on order.

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Picture of Sophora Godleyi
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aka Rangitikei Kowhai

Native. Rangitikei Kowhai has an attractive weeping habit with grey/green foliage on long pendulous branches. Colours well with a profusion of yellow flowers in late Spring. Highly attractive to our native birds. Prefers full sun to semi shade, well drained, moist soil. Stunning in a container. Hardy. Evergreen.

 

Flower Colour: Yellow
Habit: Weeping
Mature Size 7-10 yrs (HxW): 5m x 3m

Sophora Godleyi

Expected Stock Height: 90/100 cm  ? 

Currently sold out. Add to your waitlist to be advised when next in stock.

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aka Kowhai

Native A smallish shrub with narrow wiry stems growing in a zigzag fashion, bearing pretty leaves with tiny leaflets. Golden orange pea flowers are produced late in the season. Best in full sun, lean soil and not much fertilizer. Evergreen

 

Flower Colour: Yellow
Mature Size 7-10 yrs (HxW): 1.5m x 1m

Sophora Little Baby

Expected Stock Height: 20/30 cm  ? 

Currently sold out. Add to your waitlist to be advised when next in stock.

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aka Limestone Kowhai

Native. This form of Kowhai was discovered in the Nelson region and was originally thought to be a form of S.microphylla but is now recognized as a distinct species. The dark green oval leaflets are longer than usual and the spring flowers are a soft lemon. Evergreen.

 

Flower Colour: Yellow
Habit: Arching
Mature Size 7-10 yrs (HxW): 6m x 4m

Sophora Longicarinata

Current Stock Height: 90/100 cm  ? 

Container: 2.5l  ? 

$29.99

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Picture of Sophora Microphylla
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aka Kowhai

The floral emblem of NZ and loved by Tuis and gardeners alike. The native name Kowhai means yellow and represents the pendulous racemes of nectar filled yellow flowers that appear in spring. Dainty small fern like foliage. Easy to grow in a sunny position. Semi - evergreen.

 

Flower Colour: Yellow
Habit: Upright
Mature Size 7-10 yrs (HxW): 8m x 3m

Sophora Microphylla

Current Stock Height: 60/70 cm  ? 

Container: 2.5l  ? 

$29.99

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Sophora Microphylla

Current Stock Height: 60/80 cm  ? 

Container: 3.5l  ? 

$34.99

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Sophora Microphylla

Current Stock Height: 150/170 cm  ? 

Container: 8l  ? 

WAS $74.99
NOW $59.99

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aka Kowhai

Native. A distinctive form of the popular Kowhai with tangled, twisted, branches with small olive green leaves. Forms a little mounding hummock. The yellow flowers appear in spring but can be hidden amongst the branches. An interesting rather than beautiful form but I rather like it. Evergreen.

 

Flower Colour: Yellow
Habit: Spreading
Mature Size 7-10 yrs (HxW): 100cm x 100cm

Sophora Prostrata

Expected Stock Height: 60/70 cm  ? 

Currently sold out. Add to your waitlist to be advised when next in stock.

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aka Chilean Kowhai

Chilean Kowhai. A very close relation of our native Kowhai this gorgeous tree from Chile is a multi-award winner. The dark green glossy fern like foliage is decorated with fat waxy bells of golden yellow in spring. The flowers are full of nectar that birds love. Evergreen. PVR 2453.

Plant your 'Sun King' in a sunny well drained spot and if possible protect from really harsh frost. This lovely tree will bring a graceful look to any planting scheme. Perhaps proof that NZ was once part of Gondwanaland.

 

Flower Colour: Yellow
PVR: 2453
Habit: Upright
Mature Size 7-10 yrs (HxW): 3m x 3m

Sophora Sun King

Expected Stock Height: 70/80 cm  ? 

New stock expected Beginning of March, 2025. Waitlist now. Estimated price $34.99. Payment on order.

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aka Kowhai

A selected form of our native Kowhai which has a graceful pendulous habit. The fragrant yellow blooms are the official floral emblem of NZ and are loved by Tuis and gardeners alike. Dainty, green fern like foliage. Easy to grow in a sunny position. Semi-evergreen depending on temperature.

 

Flower Colour: Yellow
Habit: Arching
Mature Size 7-10 yrs (HxW): 8m x 4m

Sophora Te Kawa Gold

Current Stock Height: 60/90 cm  ? 

Container: 5l  ? 

$34.99

Stock of this item is very low.

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Picture of Sophora Tetraptera
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aka Kowhai

Native. The floral emblem of NZ and loved by Tuis and gardeners alike. The native name Kowhai means yellow and represents the pendulous racemes of nectar filled yellow flowers that appear in spring. This species flowers at a younger age than others. Evergreen.

 

Flower Colour: Yellow
Habit: Upright
Mature Size 7-10 yrs (HxW): 4.5m x 3m

Sophora Tetraptera

Current Stock Height: 70/80 cm  ? 

Container: 1.9l  ? 

$16.99

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Sophora Tetraptera

Current Stock Height: 150/170 cm  ? 

Container: 8l  ? 

WAS $74.99
NOW $59.99

QTY:
10 LISTINGS FOR KOWHAI
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Wairere Nursery
826 Gordonton Road, R D 1, Hamilton 3281 Ph: (07) 824 3430 Email: