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
Brachyglottis Bellidioides Native Plant
Brachyglottis bellidioides
Brachyglottis Bellidioides Native Plant ( Brachyglottis bellidioides ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Brachyscome Radicata Native Plant
Brachyscome radicata
Brachyscome Radicata Native Plant ( Brachyscome radicata ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Breutelia Pendula Native Plant
Breutelia pendula
Breutelia Pendula Native Plant ( Breutelia pendula ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Caladenia Alata Native Plant
Caladenia alata
Caladenia Alata Native Plant ( Caladenia alata ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Caladenia Alpina Native Plant
Caladenia alpina
Caladenia Alpina Native Plant ( Caladenia alpina ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Caladenia Minor Native Plant
Caladenia minor
Caladenia Minor Native Plant ( Caladenia minor ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Caladenia Pusilla Native Plant
Caladenia pusilla
Caladenia Pusilla Native Plant ( Caladenia pusilla ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Caleana Minor Native Plant
Caleana minor
Caleana Minor Native Plant ( Caleana minor ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Calliergon Cordifolium Native Plant
Calliergon cordifolium
Calliergon Cordifolium Native Plant ( Calliergon cordifolium ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Calochilus Herbaceus Native Plant
Calochilus herbaceus
Calochilus Herbaceus Native Plant ( Calochilus herbaceus ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Calochilus Paludosus Native Plant
Calochilus paludosus
Calochilus Paludosus Native Plant ( Calochilus paludosus ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Calochilus Robertsonii Native Plant
Calochilus robertsonii
Calochilus Robertsonii Native Plant ( Calochilus robertsonii ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Calomnion Complanatum Native Plant
Calomnion complanatum
Calomnion Complanatum Native Plant ( Calomnion complanatum ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Caltha Novae Zelandiae Native Plant
Caltha novae-zelandiae
Caltha Novae Zelandiae Native Plant ( Caltha 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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Calystegia Marginata Native Plant
Calystegia marginata
Calystegia Marginata Native Plant ( Calystegia marginata ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Campylopus Bicolor Native Plant
Campylopus bicolor
Campylopus Bicolor Native Plant ( Campylopus bicolor ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Cardamine Corymbosa Native Plant
Cardamine corymbosa
Cardamine Corymbosa Native Plant ( Cardamine corymbosa ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Cardamine Depressa Native Plant
Cardamine depressa
Cardamine Depressa Native Plant ( Cardamine depressa ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Carex Allanii Native Plant
Carex allanii
Carex Allanii Native Plant ( Carex allanii ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Carex Appressa Native Plant
Carex appressa
Carex Appressa Native Plant ( Carex appressa ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Carex Astricta Native Plant
Carex astricta
Carex Astricta Native Plant ( Carex astricta ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Carex Capillacea Native Plant
Carex capillacea
Carex Capillacea Native Plant ( Carex capillacea ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Carex Cephalotes Native Plant
Carex cephalotes
Carex Cephalotes Native Plant ( Carex cephalotes ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Carex Cockayneana Native Plant
Carex cockayneana
Carex Cockayneana Native Plant ( Carex cockayneana ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Carex Corynoidea Native Plant
Carex corynoidea
Carex Corynoidea Native Plant ( Carex corynoidea ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Carex Dallii Native Plant
Carex dallii
Carex Dallii Native Plant ( Carex dallii ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Carex Erebus Native Plant
Carex erebus
Carex Erebus Native Plant ( Carex erebus ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Carex Flaviformis Native Plant
Carex flaviformis
Carex Flaviformis Native Plant ( Carex flaviformis ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Carex Gaudichaudiana Native Plant
Carex gaudichaudiana
Carex Gaudichaudiana Native Plant ( Carex gaudichaudiana ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Carex Goyenii Native Plant
Carex goyenii
Carex Goyenii Native Plant ( Carex goyenii ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Carex Hectorii Native Plant
Carex hectorii
Carex Hectorii Native Plant ( Carex hectorii ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Carex Lessoniana Native Plant
Carex lessoniana
Carex Lessoniana Native Plant ( Carex lessoniana ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Carex Libera Native Plant
Carex libera
Carex Libera Native Plant ( Carex libera ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Carex Longiculmis Native Plant
Carex longiculmis
Carex Longiculmis Native Plant ( Carex longiculmis ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Carex Ochrosaccus Native Plant
Carex ochrosaccus
Carex Ochrosaccus Native Plant ( Carex ochrosaccus ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Carex Perplexa Native Plant
Carex perplexa
Carex Perplexa Native Plant ( Carex perplexa ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Carex Purpurata Native Plant
Carex purpurata
Carex Purpurata Native Plant ( Carex purpurata ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Carex Subtilis Native Plant
Carex subtilis
Carex Subtilis Native Plant ( Carex subtilis ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Carex Uncinata Native Plant
Carex uncinata
Carex Uncinata Native Plant ( Carex uncinata ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Carex Wakatipu Native Plant
Carex wakatipu
Carex Wakatipu Native Plant ( Carex wakatipu ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Carex Zotovii Native Plant
Carex zotovii
Carex Zotovii Native Plant ( Carex zotovii ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Carmichaelia Astonii Native Plant
Carmichaelia astonii
Carmichaelia Astonii Native Plant ( Carmichaelia astonii ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Carmichaelia Carmichaeliae Native Plant
Carmichaelia carmichaeliae
Carmichaelia Carmichaeliae Native Plant ( Carmichaelia carmichaeliae ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Carmichaelia Juncea Native Plant
Carmichaelia juncea
Carmichaelia Juncea Native Plant ( Carmichaelia juncea ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Carmichaelia Stevensonii Native Plant
Carmichaelia stevensonii
Carmichaelia Stevensonii Native Plant ( Carmichaelia stevensonii ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Carmichaelia Torulosa Native Plant
Carmichaelia torulosa
Carmichaelia Torulosa Native Plant ( Carmichaelia torulosa ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Carpophyllum Maschalocarpum Native Plant
Carpophyllum maschalocarpum
Carpophyllum Maschalocarpum Native Plant ( Carpophyllum maschalocarpum ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.
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Celmisia Gracilenta Native Plant
Celmisia gracilenta
Celmisia Gracilenta Native Plant ( Celmisia gracilenta ) 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.