Introduction
Overview
New Zealand native flowering plants display a remarkable diversity of forms, colours, and ecological strategies. From the iconic kōwhai (Sophora spp.) with its bright yellow blooms to the vibrant red flowers of the pōhutukawa ( Metrosideros excelsa ), these plants provide essential food for native birds and insects. Many species, such as Clianthus maximus (Kākābeak) and Veronica salicifolia (Koromiko) (Hebe salicifolia is a synonym of Veronica salicifolia), are popular in gardens for their ornamental value and ability to attract pollinators. Native flowering plants are crucial for maintaining healthy ecosystems and supporting biodiversity.
About New Zealand's Native Flowers
New Zealand's native flowering plants offer unique colours and forms that have evolved in isolation. While often more subtle than exotic garden varieties, our native flowers have special adaptations to local conditions and provide essential food for native birds, bees, and other pollinators. Alpine specialists like NZ Plantain showcase remarkable evolutionary adaptations to high-altitude environments, while spectacular bloomers like Mountain Buttercup create brilliant golden carpets of colour across New Zealand's high country. Adding native flowering plants to your garden helps support local ecosystems.
Explore Our Native Flowering Plants
Snow Hebe
Veronica albicans
Snow Hebe ( Veronica albicans ), formerly Hebe albicans, is an evergreen New Zealand shrub that typically grows to about 60 cm tall and 90 cm wide, occasionally reaching 1 metre.
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Bentham's Hebe
Veronica benthamii
Bentham's Hebe ( Veronica benthamii ) is a native, endemic New Zealand shrub that grows up to about 1 metre tall in a low, bushy, spreading form.
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Cypress Hebe
Veronica cupressoides
Cypress Hebe ( Veronica cupressoides ) is a rare, aromatic native shrub endemic to the South Island of New Zealand, typically growing 1 to 2 metres tall in a dense, rounded form that resembles a dwarf cypress.
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Coastal Hebe
Veronica elliptica
Coastal Hebe ( Veronica elliptica ), formerly Hebe elliptica, is an evergreen native shrub or small tree that grows to around 1 to 2 metres tall and wide.
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Fairy Foxglove
Veronica hulkeana
Fairy Foxglove ( Veronica hulkeana ), also called New Zealand lilac, is a bushy small shrub endemic to the dry, rocky bluffs and cliffs of the northeastern South Island.
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Box-leaf Hebe
Veronica odora
Box-leaf Hebe ( Veronica odora ) is a compact, rounded evergreen shrub with small, glossy, box-like leaves that are aromatic when crushed.
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Disc Hebe
Veronica pinguifolia
Disc Hebe ( Veronica pinguifolia ), also called thick-leaved speedwell, is a low, bushy evergreen shrub native to the South Island of New Zealand.
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Willow-Leaved Hebe
Veronica salicifolia (synonym)
Koromiko ( Veronica salicifolia ), also called willow-leaf hebe, is a large, fast-growing evergreen shrub native to the South Island of New Zealand and Chile.
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Napuka
Veronica speciosa
Napuka ( Veronica speciosa ), also known as showy hebe, is a spreading evergreen shrub native to coastal cliffs and headlands of the North Island and Marlborough.
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Upright Koromiko
Veronica stricta
North Island Koromiko ( Veronica stricta ), formerly Hebe stricta, is a fast-growing evergreen shrub endemic to New Zealand.
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Whipcord Hebe
Veronica tetragona
Whipcord Hebe ( Veronica tetragona ) is a distinctive subalpine shrub growing 0.6 to 1 m tall, named for its four-angled stems clad in tiny scale-like leaves pressed tight to the shoots, giving a cypress-like, whipcord texture.
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Sky-Blue Sun Orchid
Thelymitra cyanea
Vibrant terrestrial orchid with bright blue, often striped, flowers from damp boggy habitats.
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White Sun Orchid
Thelymitra longifolia
Adaptable terrestrial orchid with white to pale pink flowers that open in sunlight; found in diverse habitats.
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Slender Sun Orchid
Thelymitra pauciflora
Widespread terrestrial orchid with blue, mauve or magenta flowers that open in sunlight.
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Striped Sun Orchid
Thelymitra pulchella
Striking terrestrial orchid with blue, pink or white flowers with dark blue stripes.
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Forest Violet
Viola filicaulis
Forest Violet ( Viola filicaulis ) is a small, graceful perennial herb endemic to New Zealand, growing just 5 to 15 cm high with slender, creeping reddish stems that spread up to 30 cm across the forest floor.
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Lyall's Native Violet
Viola lyallii
Lyall's Native Violet ( Viola lyallii ), known to Māori as haaka, is a small perennial herb that forms low tufts or spreading mats just 10 to 20 centimetres tall.
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Coastal Harebell
Wahlenbergia gracilis
Widespread and hardy native "bluebell" with slender stems and delicate bell-shaped flowers.
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Winika
Dendrobium cunninghamii
Dendrobium cunninghamii , known as Winika or the Christmas orchid, is New Zealand's largest native epiphytic orchid.
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New Zealand Harebell
Wahlenbergia violacea
New Zealand Harebell ( Wahlenbergia violacea ) is a slender perennial herb with bright blue-violet flowers, found in scrubland and disturbed areas.
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Abrotanella Fertilis Native Plant
Abrotanella fertilis
Abrotanella Fertilis Native Plant ( Abrotanella fertilis ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Abrotanella Inconspicua Native Plant
Abrotanella inconspicua
Abrotanella Inconspicua Native Plant ( Abrotanella inconspicua ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Abrotanella Linearis Native Plant
Abrotanella linearis
Abrotanella Linearis Native Plant ( Abrotanella linearis ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Abrotanella Muscosa Native Plant
Abrotanella muscosa
Abrotanella Muscosa Native Plant ( Abrotanella muscosa ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Abrotanella Rostrata Native Plant
Abrotanella rostrata
Abrotanella Rostrata Native Plant ( Abrotanella rostrata ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Acaena Caesiiglauca Native Plant
Acaena caesiiglauca
Acaena Caesiiglauca Native Plant ( Acaena caesiiglauca ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Acaena Dumicola Native Plant
Acaena dumicola
Acaena Dumicola Native Plant ( Acaena dumicola ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Acaena Emittens Native Plant
Acaena emittens
Acaena Emittens Native Plant ( Acaena emittens ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Acaena Juvenca Native Plant
Acaena juvenca
Acaena Juvenca Native Plant ( Acaena juvenca ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Acaena Rorida Native Plant
Acaena rorida
Acaena Rorida Native Plant ( Acaena rorida ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Acaena Tesca Native Plant
Acaena tesca
Acaena Tesca Native Plant ( Acaena tesca ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Aciphylla Ferox Native Plant
Aciphylla ferox
Aciphylla Ferox Native Plant ( Aciphylla ferox ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Aciphylla Horrida Native Plant
Aciphylla horrida
Aciphylla Horrida Native Plant ( Aciphylla horrida ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Aciphylla Takahea Native Plant
Aciphylla takahea
Aciphylla Takahea Native Plant ( Aciphylla takahea ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Actinotus Novae Zelandiae Native Plant
Actinotus novae-zelandiae
Actinotus Novae Zelandiae Native Plant ( Actinotus novae-zelandiae ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Alisma Lanceolatum Native Plant
Alisma lanceolatum
Alisma Lanceolatum Native Plant ( Alisma lanceolatum ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Alisma Plantago Aquatica Native Plant
Alisma plantago-aquatica
Alisma Plantago Aquatica Native Plant ( Alisma plantago-aquatica ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Allium Triquetrum Native Plant
Allium triquetrum
Allium Triquetrum Native Plant ( Allium triquetrum ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Alsophila Colensoi Native Plant
Alsophila colensoi
Alsophila Colensoi Native Plant ( Alsophila colensoi ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Alsophila Cunninghamii Native Plant
Alsophila cunninghamii
Alsophila Cunninghamii Native Plant ( Alsophila cunninghamii ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Alternanthera Nahui Native Plant
Alternanthera nahui
Alternanthera Nahui Native Plant ( Alternanthera nahui ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Androstoma Empetrifolium Native Plant
Androstoma empetrifolium
Androstoma Empetrifolium Native Plant ( Androstoma empetrifolium ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Arctoa Pumila Native Plant
Arctoa pumila
Arctoa Pumila Native Plant ( Arctoa pumila ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Austrolycopodium Fastigiatum Native Plant
Austrolycopodium fastigiatum
Austrolycopodium Fastigiatum Native Plant ( Austrolycopodium fastigiatum ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Azorella Polaris Native Plant
Azorella polaris
Azorella Polaris Native Plant ( Azorella polaris ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Bazzania Adnexa Native Plant
Bazzania adnexa
Bazzania Adnexa Native Plant ( Bazzania adnexa ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Berberis Glaucocarpa Native Plant
Berberis glaucocarpa
Berberis Glaucocarpa Native Plant ( Berberis glaucocarpa ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Bolboschoenus Fluviatilis Native Plant
Bolboschoenus fluviatilis
Bolboschoenus Fluviatilis Native Plant ( Bolboschoenus fluviatilis ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
Learn moreGrowing Native Flowers in Your Garden
Tips for Success with Native Flowers
Native flowering plants can add colour and interest to your garden while providing food for native birds and insects. Most prefer well-draining soil and a sunny position, though some forest species will appreciate partial shade. Consider the natural habitat of each species when planning your garden.