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Carmichaelia williamsii has pale yellow flowers in spring and again in autumn, coming from East Cape it prefers dry, sunny positions with well-drained soils. Carmichaelia kirkii with large flowers in spring. C. kirkii is a sprawling, spreading plant growing into a dense mat and, tolertant very dry exposed conditions, suitable for planting on banks and coastal gardens.
Perennial Plants
New Zealand is better known for trees and shrubs than perennial plants, many of the most spectacular being tricky, demanding alpines! There are some real treasures out there, readily available and quite beautiful.
One of the most covetable of all garden plants, the Chatham Island 'Forget-me-Not' (Myosotidium hortensia)has wonderful large heads of blue, 'forget-me-not' flowers each spring. Simply breathtaking especially when seen massed as at Otari-Wilton's Bush in Wellington. The white form is a pale cousin to the drama of the blue. The dramatic glossy green, deeply veined foliage that grows to 30-60cm (1-2ft) tall alone justify finding a special position for this plant in your garden.
Chatham Island 'Forget-me-Not' is not easy plant demanding deep rich soils that are well drained and yet cool and moist in summer. In its native habitat it is found growing in the open on exposed coastlines. In cultivation, however, you will do far better to plant in partial shade and protect from heavy frosts. In humid areas ensure there is plenty of air-circulation to help prevent fungal disease and root-rot.
Geranium traversii is another wonderful little plant from the Chatham Islands. Greyish silvery-green foliage forms a neat rosette with the clear pink flowers held above, it is quite simply charming. A number of new hybrids have been introduced, such as 'Pink Spice', with bronzy-purple foliage and the same clear pink flowers. Plant in well-drained soil and in partial shade or sun.
In very warm areas the rengarenga (Arthropodium cirratum) or New Zealand rock lily will start into flower in spring, in cooler areas and further south, you must wait for summer. Flower stems with hanging bells of white flowers appear from the broad, green strap-like leaves, making a great spectacle. In time the flowers are replaced by the green seed heads, wait until these are ripe and you can show the fine-black seed and have enough for a huge planting.
The New Zealand iris (there are three: Libertia ixiodes, L. grandiflora and L.peregrinans) is a clump forming perennials with narrow bronzy leaves, somewhat like a small flax. Clear white flowers are carried on a flower stem in spring, followed by seed capsules. Tolerant of dry and damp conditions, this is a valuable plant for border and container planting as well as in the native garden. L. peregrinans is a coastal species and the orange leaves colour more in harsh conditions.
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Books on New Zealand Plants
'The Native Garden - Design themes from wild New Zealand'
 A wonderful, beautifully illustrated book. Evocative photographs of forest, tussock clad hillsides as well as plant closeups emphasise using our vast array of native plants. | | |
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Amazing blue flowers of the Chatham Island Foreget-Me-Not
Myosotidium hortensia flowers begin to emerge from the dramatic foliage
The clear pink flowers Geranium traversii
Pretty hanging flowers of the Rengarenga, New Zealand Rock Lily
Rengarenga is great for underplanting and in dry, shady corners
Libertia peregrinans has distinctive bronze foliage | |
