Garden Guides

Fuchsias Fuchsias Fuchsias - Perfect for Shade Brighten up the darker corners of your garden with the vibrant, "dancing lady" blooms of fuchsias. With their delicate, bicoloured red, white, pink, and purple flowers, these plants are a must-have for any gardener seeking colour in semi-shade.
Flytraps & Carnivorous Plants Flytraps & Carnivorous Plants Flytraps & Carnivorous Plants Imagine a plant that lures, captures, and digests insects, providing it with the nutrients it needs to thrive in the poorest of soils. Carnivorous plants do just that!
Bee-Friendly Flowers Bee-Friendly Flowers Bee-Friendly Flowers By creating a "Bee Palace," you’re not just adding beauty to your backyard—you’re actively contributing to the survival of honeybees and, in turn, the health of New Zealand’s ecosystem.
Boronia Boronia Boronia Few plants can rival the enchanting scent of Boronia, a delightful Australian shrub with aromatic foliage and fragrant flowers. Though sometimes considered demanding, you can easily enjoy Boronia's beauty with the right knowledge.
Camellia & Rhododendrons Camellia & Rhododendrons Camellia and Rhododendrons Camellias and Rhododendrons (Rhodos) are versatile and stunning additions to any garden. Whether used as hedges, ground covers, specimen trees, or container plants, their glossy foliage and striking blooms bring elegance and charm year-round.
Climbers Climbers Climbers Climbing plants bring a unique charm to any garden, adding height, texture, and visual interest to spaces large and small.
Daphne Daphne Daphne Renowned for its captivating fragrance and delicate starry blooms, Daphne is a cherished addition to any garden.
Deciduous Azaleas Deciduous Azaleas Deciduous Azaleas Deciduous Azaleas are flamboyant spring bloomers that bring a spectacular burst of colour to any garden. Known for their vibrant flowers, intoxicating fragrance, and brilliant autumn foliage in shades of orange to reddish-purple.
Deciduous Magnolias Deciduous Magnolias Deciduous Magnolias At the start of spring, deciduous Magnolia trees are often the first to break the silence of winter, heralding the season's arrival with their large, vibrant flowers borne on bare branches..
Planting Trees for Autumn Colour Planting Trees for Autumn Colour Trees for Autumn Colour From compact Cornus to majestic Maples, these trees offer stunning autumn colours, making them perfect for any garden or space.
Drought Resistant Plants Drought Resistant Plants Drought Resistant Plants As temperatures rise and water resources become increasingly precious, gardeners turn to drought-resistant plants to create sustainable landscapes that conserve water while offering beauty and diversity.
Bonsai – Living Art Bonsai – Living Art Bonsai Learn how to create your own Bonsai. Bonsai are more than just plants; they are living sculptures, offering both beauty and creativity.
Growing Camellias Growing Camellias Camellias Camellias are incredibly versatile, offering a range of uses in the garden. They can be grown as specimen trees, hedges, standards, or groundcovers, and are perfect for espaliering against walls or fences
Growing Clivias Growing Clivias Clivias Every garden has at least one shady spot, and Clivias could be the perfect solution for filling that gap.
Create a Cottage Garden Create a Cottage Garden Create a Cottage Garden There’s no limit to what you can create in a cottage garden. Start small, choose plants that suit your space, and play with colour and texture to craft a beautiful, low-maintenance garden that will bring joy year after year.
Shady Gardens Shady Gardens Shady Gardens Shade doesn’t mean sacrificing a vibrant garden! You can create a lush, thriving space even in the darkest corners with thoughtful plant choices.
Growing Alstroemeria Growing Alstroemeria Alstroemeria Alstroemeria, or the Peruvian Lily, is a stunning, low-maintenance plant that will add vibrant colours and lasting beauty to your garden.
Azaleas Azaleas Azaleas Transform your garden or home with vibrant colours and delicate azalea blossoms. They bring unmatched charm, whether creating a show-stopping outdoor display or adding elegance to a pot on your patio.
Growing Daisies Growing Daisies Daisies Daisies are hardy, long-flowering perennials that thrive in full sun. Their simplicity and vibrant colours make them perfect for gardens, pots, and thoughtful gifts to brighten someone’s day
Gaillardia Gaillardia Growing Gaillardia Gaillardia’s stunning, long-lasting blooms add a splash of vibrant colour to gardens, rockeries, pots, and coastal landscapes. Hardy and low-maintenance, it’s the perfect choice for gardeners who value beauty and resilience.
Buxus Hedges Buxus Hedges Healthy Buxus Hedges Hedges are a defining feature in many gardens, providing privacy, shelter, and aesthetic appeal. However, due to their uniformity, they can be vulnerable to pests and diseases.
Water Gardens Water Gardens Water Gardens Whether you start with a simple bowl and a few plants or create a larger container pond with fish, water gardens can enhance your space's visual appeal and ambience.
Vireya Rhododendrons Vireya Rhododendrons Vireya Rhododendrons With their vibrant blooms and tropical origins, vireya rhododendrons bring exotic beauty to gardens. Their flowers come in a range of colours, including reds, oranges, yellows, and pastels.
Succulents Succulents Succulents Succulents are the ideal choice for those looking to add texture, colour, and interest to their garden with minimal effort.
Roses Roses Roses: A Year-Round Guide Roses are the quintessential garden favourite, known for their enchanting fragrance and show-stopping blooms. While winter might tempt us to retreat indoors with a warm cuppa, it’s the most crucial season for rose care.
Protea Leucadendrons & Leucospermum Protea Leucadendrons & Leucospermum Protea, Leucadendrons & Leucospermum Popular members of the Proteaceae family include Leucadendrons, Proteas, Leucospermum, Banksia, Grevillea, and Telopea.
Planting on Banks Planting on Banks Plants on Banks Gardening on banks and slopes presents a unique challenge and a rewarding opportunity to create visually stunning and functional landscapes.
Persimmons Persimmons Persimmons Persimmons are a unique and delightful fruit. They are both edible and delicious, offering a sweet taste with an unusual texture and vibrant colour. Not only are they a treat for the taste buds, but they are also packed with nutrients.
Abutilons Abutilons Abutilons Abutilons are versatile, easy-care plants that add year-round colour to gardens or pots. Their stunning blooms are a favourite for floral arrangements and make a striking addition to any space.
Agapanthus Agapanthus Agapanthus Agapanthus are hardy, drought-tolerant, and incredibly versatile. Their striking flowers make them ideal for filling sunny spots in gardens or pots.
Growing Kalmia Growing Kalmia Kalmia Kalmias are versatile evergreen shrubs that thrive in gardens or pots, offering dainty blooms in spring and summer. With their stunning flowers and year-round appeal, they’re an excellent choice for bringing colour and texture to your space.
Growing Kowhai (Sophora)Growing Kowhai (Sophora)Kōwhai (Sophora)Kōwhai’s golden flowers, delicate foliage, and adaptability make it a standout addition to gardens, pots, or even as a shade tree. It’s a quintessential Kiwi favourite with functional and aesthetic appeal.
Growing Lavender Growing Lavender Lavender Lavender is a versatile shrub/herb from the mint family, prized for its fragrance, essential oils, and stunning blooms. With so many varieties, there’s a lavender for every garden style and purpose.
Lonicera - Climbing Honeysuckle Lonicera - Climbing Honeysuckle Lonicera - Climbing Honeysuckle Honeysuckle is a must-have for any garden. It’s adaptable, low maintenance, and thrives in various spaces, from large walls to compact pots.
Growing Michelia Growing Michelia Michelia Michelia trees bring year-round beauty and seasonal fragrance, making them perfect as specimen trees, hedges, or even potted features.
NZ Cranberry - Myrtus Ugni NZ Cranberry - Myrtus Ugni NZ Cranberry - Myrtus Ugni Fragrance, fruit, colour, and style—the New Zealand cranberry (Ugni molinae) has it all. This evergreen shrub is a versatile addition to any garden, offering sweet berries, delightful flowers, and minimal care requirements.
Papaver – The Oriental Poppy Papaver – The Oriental Poppy Papaver – Oriental Poppy Oriental poppies are perfect for adding height, colour, and texture to garden beds or as statement pieces in pots. Their striking flowers attract bees and birds, making them as functional as they are beautiful.
Philadelphus - Mock Orange Philadelphus - Mock Orange Philadelphus - Mock Orange Perfect as a feature plant or espaliered against a wall, Philadelphus is a versatile and low-maintenance addition to your garden. Its stunning flowers and heavenly scent make it an unforgettable favourite for gardeners.
Pine Nuts Pine Nuts Pine Nuts Whether you’re looking to make your own pesto, sprinkle them on salads, or use them in savory dishes, growing your own pine nut tree can save you money while providing a sustainable and rewarding harvest.
Growing Pyracantha Growing Pyracantha Pyracantha Pyracantha is perfect for creating an eye-catching, functional hedge or screen. Its ability to thrive in a variety of conditions and resist pests makes it an ideal addition to any garden or security planting.
Tamarillo - Tree Tomato Tamarillo - Tree Tomato Tamarillo - Tree Tomato Tamarillo plants are not only a fascinating addition to the garden, but they also provide a delicious and healthy fruit. Known for their sweet-tart flavour, tamarillos are versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes, from smoothies to chutneys.
Growing Wisteria Growing Wisteria Wisteria Known for its stunning flower clusters and fragrant blooms, wisteria is a fast-growing, hardy vine that thrives with proper care and pruning. Whether cascading over a pergola or climbing a sturdy wall, wisteria brings elegance to any garden.
Walkable Groundcovers Walkable Groundcovers Walkable Groundcovers Imagine transforming the spaces between your stepping stones, the side of your house, or even the humble washing line area into a vibrant, green haven filled with sprawling groundcovers.
Outdoor Ferns Outdoor Ferns Outdoor Ferns Ferns bring a timeless elegance to any garden, their lush, intricate fronds creating a soothing, natural atmosphere. Thriving in dappled light and moist, well-draining soil, ferns are ideal for shady corners, under trees, or as statement pieces in pots.
Olive Trees Olive Trees Olive Trees Olive trees are an iconic symbol of Mediterranean landscapes, known for their hardy nature and delicious fruit. Whether you dream of making olive oil or pickling olives, these trees are an excellent choice for aesthetic appeal and practical use.
Hydrangeas Hydrangeas Hydrangeas Hydrangeas are a timeless favourite in Kiwi gardens, evoking memories of vibrant blooms and buzzing bees. Perfect for both gardens and pots, hydrangeas are celebrated for their striking colours, low maintenance, and the joy they bring all summer long.
Heuchera Heuchera Heuchera Heucheras now offer astounding variety in leaf colour, flower longevity, and flower size—making them a versatile addition to gardens everywhere.
Helleborus Helleborus Helleborus In Pots and Gardens The winter rose, or hellebore is a must-have for winter gardens. It provides vibrant colour when most plants lie dormant. These evergreen perennials are perfect for brightening shaded or woodland areas during late winter and early spring.
Hedges Hedges Hedges Transform your garden with a hedge! Whether it’s a decorative border, a privacy screen, or a formal structure, hedges offer a versatile way to add charm and functionality to your outdoor space.
Hebes Hebes Hebes Native to New Zealand, hebes are versatile shrubs known for their stunning foliage and vibrant flowers. Easy to grow and low maintenance, they’re a staple in gardens of all sizes.