For our cataloging we have employed a slightly different method in an effort to keep the plant cost down and still be able to provide a full plant description. The red number is that plants unique number, this number is represented on the label. When browsing at the nursery we provide you with a copy of this catalog so you can identify a particular plant and get the full description. It is not possible to give a description as detailed as this on a standard plant label and to achieve this the cost is considerable.
1 Wineberry Aristotelia serrata Makomako
Growth Rate: Rapid
Fast growing small semi-deciduous tree. Rose flowers in spring, berries sought by native birds. Frost tender when young. Good shade tree in sheltered areas.
Additional Attributes: - Attractive Flowers - Erosion Control - Shade Tolerant - Attracts Birds - Attractive Cones/Berries - Attracts Bees
Height after 5 years: 4 m Height when mature: 6 m
2 Manuka Leptospermum scoparium
Growth Rate: Medium
Fast growing small tree with small aromatic leaves & single white flowers. Nurse crop for native revegetation. Susceptible to blight.
Additional Attributes: - Attractive Flowers - Erosion Control - Attracts Bees
Height after 5 years: 2 m Height when mature: 4 m
3 Kanuka Kunzea ericoides
Growth Rate: Medium
Small tree with small narrow scented leaves. Coloniser of dry exposed ground. Loose papery bark. Showy white flowers in clusters. Blight resistant.
Additional Attributes: - Attractive Flowers - Low Hedging - Erosion Control - Attractive Bark/Trunk - Attracts Birds – Attracts bees
Height after 5 years: 3 m Height when mature: 10 m
4 Coprosma robusta Karamu Coprosma
Growth Rate: Medium/Rapid
Fast growing shelter, hedging and nurse plant. Competes well with gorse. Laden with bright orange fruit. Shade tolerant. Attracts birds.
Additional Attributes: - Low Hedging - Erosion Control - Shade Tolerant - Attracts Birds - Attractive Cones/Berries
Height after 5 years: 3 m Height when mature: 5 m
4/1 Coprosma repens Taupatu Coprosma
Growth Rate: Medium/Rapid
Shrub to small tree with broad glossy leaves & showy clusters orange/red fruit. Attracts birds. OK on coast. Hedges well. Shade tolerant. Frost tender when young.
Additional Attributes: - Low Hedging - Attractive Foliage - Shade Tolerant - Attracts Birds - Attractive
Height after 5 years: 3 m Height when mature: 5 m
4/2 Coprosma 'Beatsons Gold'
Growth Rate: Rapid
A compact bushy shrub. Dark green leaves with gold variegation. Clips well into low hedge. Best in full sun.
Additional Attributes: - Low Hedging - Attractive Foliage - Attracts Birds
Height after 5 years: 2 m Height when mature: 2 m
4/3 Coprosma kirkii variegata
Growth Rate: Rapid
A vigorous, sprawling hardy shrub. Used extensively for bank stabilising, coastal planting & ground cover.
Additional Attributes: - Low Hedging - Attractive Foliage - Attracts Birds
Height after 5 years: 1 m Height when mature: 1 m
4/4 Coprosma kirkii
Growth Rate: Rapid
A vigorous, sprawling hardy shrub. Used extensively for bank stabilising, coastal planting & ground cover.
Additional Attributes: - Low Hedging - Attractive Foliage - Attracts Birds
Height after 5 years: 1 m Height when mature: 1 m
4/5 Coprosma propinqua Mingimingi Coprosma
Growth Rate: Medium/Rapid
A tough small tree with interlaced foliage. Laden with fruit that change from white to dark blue.
Additional Attributes: - Erosion Control - Attractive Foliage - Attracts Birds - Attractive Cones/Berries
Height after 5 years: 2 m Height when mature: 5 m
4/6 Karangu Coprosma Coprosma lucida
Growth Rate: Medium/Rapid
A hardy shrub with handsome foliage and large attractive drupes. Potential shelter.
Additional Attributes: - Low Hedging - Attractive Foliage - Shade Tolerant - Attracts Birds - Attractive Cones/Berries
Height after 5 years: 3 m Height when mature: 5 m
4/7 Coprosma propinqua Mingimingi Coprosma
A tough small tree with interlaced foliage. Laden with fruit that change from white to dark blue.
Additional Attributes: - Erosion Control - Attractive Foliage - Attracts Birds – Attractive
Cones/Berries
Growth Rate: Medium/Rapid
Height after 5 years: 2 m Height when mature: 5 m
11 Bellbird Tree Kaikomako Pennantia corymbosia
Growth Rate: Medium
A small tree of slender habit. Mature tree is elegant with white fragrant flowers. Attracts native birds. Prefers moist soils. Hardy. Shade tolerant.
Additional Attributes: - Attractive Flowers - Shade Tolerant - Attracts Birds
Height after 5 years: 2 m Height when mature: 8 m
12 Broadleaf Griselinia littoralis Kapuka
Growth Rate: Medium
Round-headed small tree with bright green leaves. Excellent for hedging or shelter. Withstands drought & coastal conditions. Trim in summer. Attracts birds.
Additional Attributes: - Low Hedging - Erosion Control - Shade Tolerant - Attracts Birds - Attractive foliage.
Height after 5 years: 3 m Height when mature: 10 m
13 Cabbage Tree Cordyline australis Ti Kouka
Growth Rate: Medium/Rapid
NZ icon attractive in mixed planting or as specimen. Multi-trunked with tuffs of foliage. Attract birds.
Additional Attributes: - Attractive Flowers - Attractive Foliage - Shade Tolerant - Attractive Bark/Trunk - Attracts Birds - Attracts Bees
Height after 5 years: 4 m Height when mature: 10 m
14 Lophomyrtus (Ramarama)
Evergreen, Hardy, All conditions, tolerant of light to medium frosts, prefers maximum sunlight or partial shade Green to bronze/red leaf 15-20mm long, Cream/white flower with berries which ripen April-May.Additional Attributes: Attracts birds
Height Up to 6m
15 NZ Flax (Green) Phormium tenax Harakeke
Growth Rate: Rapid
Robust clumps of blue-green leaves. Tolerant of a wide range of sites including swampy and coastal. Very hardy. Excellent low shelter.Additional Attributes: - Attractive Flowers - Erosion Control - Attractive Foliage - Attracts Birds
Height after 5 years: 2 m Height when mature: 3 m
15/1 NZ Flax (RED) Phormium tenax Harakeke
Growth Rate: Rapid
Robust clumps of blue-green leaves. Tolerant of a wide range of sites including swampy and coastal. Very hardy. Excellent low shelter.
Additional Attributes: - Attractive Flowers - Erosion Control - Attractive Foliage
Attracts Birds
Height after 5 years: 2 m Height when mature: 2 m
15/2 Mountain Flax (GREEN) Phormium cookianum
Growth Rate: Rapid
Has drooping twisted seed pods and shiny green weeping leaves. Smaller then P. tenax.
Additional Attributes: - Attractive Flowers - Erosion Control - Attractive Foliage
Attracts Birds
Height after 5 years: 1.5 m Height when mature: 1.5 m
15/3 Mountain Flax (Purple/red) Phormium cookianum purpurea
Growth Rate: Rapid
Has drooping twisted seed pods and shiny green weeping leaves. Smaller then P. tenax.
Additional Attributes: - Attractive Flowers - Erosion Control - Attractive Foliage
Attracts Birds
Height after 5 years: 1.5 m Height when mature: 1.5 m
18 Lacebark Hoheria populnea
Growth Rate: Rapid
Attractive flowering tree with large leaves and scented white flowers. Prefers moist fertile soil. Good shelter and specimen.
Additional Attributes: - Attractive Flowers - Erosion Control - Attracts Birds - Attracts Bees
Height after 5 years: 3 m Height when mature: 10 m
19 Fuchsia excorticata Kotukutuku Tree Fuchsia
Growth Rate: Medium
Small semi-deciduous tree with papery bark and interesting twisted shape. Largest fuchsia in the world. Attracts birds. Flowers early spring to summer.
Additional Attributes: - Attractive Flowers - Erosion Control - Shade Tolerant - Attractive Bark/Trunk - Attracts Birds - Attractive Cones/Berries - Attracts Bees
Height after 5 years: 4 m Height when mature: 6 m
20 GRASS / TUSSOCK Approx mature height in metres on right
20/1 Carex Secta 1.5 20/2 Carex trifidia 1
20/3 Carex comans bronze 0.8 20/4 Carex comans 0.6
20/5 Carex teniculuminous 0.5 20/6 Carex dipscacea 0.7
20/7 Carex flagilefra 0.5 20/8 Carex testacia 0.5
20/9 Red tussock - Chinochloa rubra 1.5 20/10 Silver tussock – poa cita 0.8
20/11 Blue tussock 0.8 20/12 Banks peninsula bluegrass 0.3
20/13 Festuca coxii 0.5 20/14 NZ rush 0.8
20/14 Carex Buchananii 0.6
21 Hebe
Native Hebe are well suited to a variety of planting situations. They are hardy and can tolerate cold climates. Mature plants vary in height from 50cm to 4m with an average of about 1 - 1.5m. There are many leaf variations including variegated. Hebe flower profusely and have a number of flower colors including crimson, white, lavender, blue, pink, red. Because of the range of leaf styles and color hebe plantings look attractive all year round. Hebe tolerate close planting and trimming after flowering, their flowers attract birds.
Approx mature height in metres on right
21/1 Albicans 0.6 21/2 Boulder 1
21/3 Speciosa 1 21/4 Topiaria 0.6
21/5 Odora 0.8 21/6 Lavander lace 1
21/7 Decumbens 0.8 21/8 Koromiko (stricta) 2
21/9 Donaldii 21/10 Waikiki 1
21/11 Hulkeana 0.5 21/12 Wiri cloud 1
21/13 Wiri desire 21/14 Red edge 0.6
21/15 Pauciramosa 21/16 Wiri Amy 1
21/17 Inspiration 0.9 21/18 Pareora
21/19 Autaum glory 21/20 Eveline
21/21 Diosmifolia 21/22 Chathamica
21/23 Buchananii 21/24 Mary Antonette 0.6
21/25 Quick silver 0.3 21/26 Parahebe blue 0.3
21/100 Unknown name 21/200 Produced by C.O.P.S (unnamed)
22 Corokia buddlejoides Korokio Corokia
Growth Rate: Medium
Handsome, much branched slender shrub with long narrow leaves. Tolerates shade. Suitable low shelter. Bright yellow flowers.
Additional Attributes: - Low Hedging - Attractive Foliage - Shade Tolerant - Attracts Birds - Attractive Cones/Berries - Attracts Bees
Height after 5 years: 2 m Height when mature: 3 m
22/1 Corokia Corokia 'Frosted Chocolate'
Growth Rate: Medium
Handsome, large-leafed bronze bush. Color intensifies in winter.
Additional Attributes: - Low Hedging - Attractive Foliage - Attracts Birds - Attractive Cones/Berries –
Attracts Bees
Height after 5 years: 2 m Height when mature: 3 m
24 Green Ake Ake Dodonaea viscosa
Growth Rate: Rapid
Attractive fast growing small tree. Tolerates salt winds and dry conditions. Prefers well drained soils away from heavy frosts when young.
Additional Attributes: - Low Hedging - Erosion Control - Attractive Bark/Trunk
Attracts Bees
Height after 5 years: 4 m Height when mature: 7 m
24/1 Purple Ake Ake Dodonaea viscosa purpurea
Growth Rate: Rapid
Attractive fast growing small tree. Tolerates salt winds and dry conditions. Prefers well drained soils away from heavy frosts when young.
Additional Attributes: - Low Hedging - Erosion Control - Attractive Bark/Trunk
Attracts Bees
Height after 5 years: 4 m Height when mature: 7 m
25 Totara Podocarpus totara
Growth Rate: Slow/Medium
Attractive, hardy specimen and timber tree. Produces very durable timber. Will grow in a wide range of sites. Produces a dense clipped hedge. Revered by the Maori.
Additional Attributes: - Low Hedging - Attractive Bark/Trunk - Attracts Bees
Height after 5 years: 2 m Height when mature: 15 m
26 Whiteywood Melicytus ramiflorus Mahoe
Growth Rate: Medium
Small tree with attractive foliage and berries. Specimen or shade tree. Avoid heavy frosts.
Additional Attributes: - Erosion Control - Attractive Foliage - Shade Tolerant - Attracts Birds - Attractive Cones/Berries
Height after 5 years: 3 m Height when mature: 8m
27 Red Beech Nothofagus fusca
Growth Rate: Medium/Rapid
Handsome specimen and timber tree. Young trees have bright red foliage during winter. Rapid early growth. Strong durable red wood. Can clip to formal hedge.
Additional Attributes: - Low Hedging - Attractive Foliage - Attracts Bees
Height after 5 years: 4 m Height when mature: 30 m
28 Pittosporum tenuifolium Black Matipo
Growth Rate: Medium
A small tree with attractive foliage which hedges well for lower tier farm shelter. Very hardy. OK on coast.
Additional Attributes: - Low Hedging - Erosion Control - Shade Tolerant - Attracts Birds Attracts Bees
Height after 5 years: 3 m Height when mature: 8 m
28/1 Pittosporum crassifolium Karo
Growth Rate: Rapid
Small erect tree. Excellent coastal tree. Responds well to trimming. Excellent for growing under tall decid. trees. Dark red flowers.
Additional Attributes: - Attractive Flowers - Low Hedging - Erosion Control - Shade Tolerant - Attracts Birds - Attracts Bees
Height after 5 years: 3 m Height when mature: 5 m
28/2 Pittosporum ralphii Kohu Kohu
Similar to P. crassifolium but has a rounded habit and larger, darker green leaves. More frost hardy. Good shelter on dry, windy sites. Tolerates shade.
Additional Attributes: - Low Hedging - Erosion Control - Shade Tolerant - Attracts Birds - Attracts Bees
Height after 5 years: 3 m Height when mature: 5 m
28/3 Lemonwood Pittosporum eugenioides Tarata
Growth Rate: Medium Quick-growing small shelter tree. Scented flowers. Long glossy leaves. Hedges well for low shelter. Frost tender when young.
Additional Attributes: - Attractive Flowers - Low Hedging - Erosion Control - Shade Tolerant - Attracts Birds - Attracts Bees
Height after 5 years: 3 m Height when mature: 12 m
28/4 Pittosporum colensoi Pittosporum tenuifolium ssp colenso
Growth Rate: Medium Height after 5 years: 3 m Height when mature: 5 m Hardy
Similar to Pittosporum tenuifolium, but with larger, flatter and shinier leaves and more conspicuous flowers. A more attractive species though not naturally as compact. Occurs naturally in moist western areas but grows well in the east on better soils.
30 Kowhai Sophora microphylla
Small leguminous tree with attractive fern like foliage. Flowers profusely attracting birds. Hardy to cold and wind. Tangled juvenile stage.
Growth Rate: Medium
Additional Attributes: - Attractive Flowers - Erosion Control - Attractive Foliage - Shade Tolerant - Attracts Birds - Attracts Bees
Height after 5 years: 3 m Height when mature: 8 m
34 Ribbonwood Plagianthus regius Manatu
Growth Rate: Rapid
Medium to large, spreading, deciduous tree. Wind resistant. Showy flowers. Fast growing on dry exposed sites. Separate male and female trees. Good as shelter or specimen.
Additional Attributes: - Attractive Flowers - Erosion Control - Attracts Birds
Height after 5 years: 4 m Height when mature: 12 m
34/1 Marsh Ribbonwood Plagianthus divaricatus
Densely interlaced shrub with reddish brown bark and small leaves. Salt wind resistant & tolerant of wet soils. Small flowers are sweetly scented. Good hedge in coastal locations.Growth Rate: Rapid
Additional Attributes: - Attractive Flowers - Low Hedging - Attractive Bark/Trunk
Height after 5 years: 1 m Height when mature: 2 m
36 Kaka Beak (White) Clianthus puniceus
The showiest of all the native plants. A short-lived small shrub with spreading branches covered with light green, fine foliage & large white flowers in early summer. Place in well-drained soil away from heavy frosts & strong winds.Additional Attributes: - Attractive Flowers - Attracts Birds
Growth Rate: Rapid Height after 5 years: 2 m Height when mature: 2 m
36/1 Kaka Beak (Red) Clianthus puniceus
The showiest of all the native plants. A short-lived small shrub with spreading branches covered with light green, fine foliage & large red flowers in early summer. Place in well-drained soil away from heavy frosts & strong winds.
Additional Attributes: - Attractive Flowers - Attracts Birds
Growth Rate: Rapid
Height after 5 years: 2 m Height when mature: 2
38 NZ Bidibidi Acaena Purpurea
A very hardy, creeping prostrate ground cover. Purple foliage,
Flowers Sept to Feb
Height and spread: 1m spread up to 10cm high
33 Five Finger Pseudopanax arboreus
Growth Rate: Medium
Handsome, small, round-headed tree with smooth dark " 5-fingered" green leaflets. Conspicuous purple-black fruit. Tolerates wind.
Additional Attributes: - Erosion Control - Attractive Foliage - Shade Tolerant - Attracts Birds - Attractive Cones/Berries - Attracts Bees
Height after 5 years: 3 m Height when mature: 6 m
33/1 Toothed Lancewood Pseudopanax ferox
Growth Rate: Slow/Medium
Bushy topped tree with a tall slender trunk. Narrow saw-like brown juvenile leaves. Spectacular specimen.
Additional Attributes: - Attractive Foliage - Shade Tolerant - Attractive Bark/Trunk - Attracts Birds - Attractive Cones/Berries
Height after 5 years: 2 m Height when mature: 5 m
40 Astelia banksii
Growth Rate: Rapid
Attractive narrow silvery leaves, prefers complete shade and moist soil. Good coastal species.
Additional Attributes: - Attractive Foliage - Shade Tolerant - Attracts Birds
Height after 5 years: 1 m Height when mature: 1 m
41 Reinga Reinga Lily NZ Rock lily Arthropodium cirratum
Growth Rate: Medium
A lily with broad green leaves, attractive starry flowers. Suitable groundcover under trees. Frost tender.
Additional Attributes: - Attractive Flowers - Attractive Foliage - Shade Tolerant
Height after 5 years: 0.8 m Height when mature: 0.8 m
42 Olearia avicenniaefolia
Growth Rate: Medium
Spreading shrub/small tree with sweet showy flowers. Hardy plant, stands exposure. Nectar/insects for birds.
Additional Attributes: - Attractive Flowers - Low Hedging - Erosion Control - Attracts Birds
Height after 5 years: 2 m Height when mature: 4 m
42/1 Olearia lineata 'Dartonii' Twiggy Tree Daisy
Plume-like branches with fine leaves. Trims well for fast hedging and shelter. Fragrant white flowers. Tolerant of drought, cold and exposure.
Growth Rate: N/A Height after 5 years: 3 m Height when mature: 5 m
43 Toe Toe (Toi Toi) Cortaderia toe toe
Coarse green large tussock, flower heads to 3-4 m. Excellent low shelter. Larger than C. richardii.
Additional Attributes: - Attractive Flowers - Low Hedging - Erosion Control - Attracts Birds
Height after 5 years: 4 m Height when mature: 4 m Growth Rate: Rapid
44 Pingao Desmoschoenus spiralis
An attractive, hardy, sand-binding plant with distinctive stiffly arching, golden green leaves, becoming
rare in the wild. It is easily grown on light, well-drained soils in full sun. Commonly found in sand-dunes
Growth Rate: Medium Height after 5 years: 0.6 m Height when mature: 0.6 m
Further information
You can see the information below on the Info and ideas page,
- Planting and other Ideas
- A selection of plants available from our nursery
- Plants for riparian margin management
- Farm Shelter
- Coastal plants
- Plants of cultural significance
- Plants that attract birds
- Shelter plants
We can also email you information sheets on topics listed below info@cops.org.nz
- Alpine plants
- Common and Scientific names
- Cross references
- Good flowerer’s
- How big they get
- Costal plants
- Plants for specific places
- Plants for containers
- Primary colonizer plants
- Recommended books
- Shrubs
- Plants for erosion control
- Plants for Medicinal properties
- Trees for Timber
- Features trees and specimens
- Plants for Wetland areas
