Mount Cook Lily - New Zealand's largest buttercup with spectacular white flowers

Native Flowering Plants of New Zealand

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

Myosotis Angustata Native Plant (Myosotis angustata)

Myosotis Angustata Native Plant

Myosotis angustata

Myosotis Angustata Native Plant ( Myosotis angustata ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.

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Myosotis Antarctica Native Plant (Myosotis antarctica)

Myosotis Antarctica Native Plant

Myosotis antarctica

Myosotis Antarctica Native Plant ( Myosotis antarctica ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.

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Myosotis Arnoldii Native Plant (Myosotis arnoldii)

Myosotis Arnoldii Native Plant

Myosotis arnoldii

Myosotis Arnoldii Native Plant ( Myosotis arnoldii ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.

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Myosotis Australis Native Plant (Myosotis australis)

Myosotis Australis Native Plant

Myosotis australis

Myosotis Australis Native Plant ( Myosotis australis ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.

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Myosotis Australis Subsp Australis Native Plant (Myosotis australis subsp. australis)

Myosotis Australis Subsp Australis Native Plant

Myosotis australis

Myosotis australis subsp. australis is an indigenous forget-me-not with a single rosette, lateral flowering branches, and pale yellow to white corollas.

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Myosotis Brevis Native Plant (Myosotis brevis)

Myosotis Brevis Native Plant

Myosotis brevis

Myosotis Brevis Native Plant ( Myosotis brevis ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.

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Myosotis Brockiei Native Plant (Myosotis brockiei)

Myosotis Brockiei Native Plant

Myosotis brockiei

Myosotis Brockiei Native Plant ( Myosotis brockiei ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.

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Myosotis Brockiei Subsp Brockiei Native Plant (Myosotis brockiei subsp. brockiei)

Myosotis Brockiei Subsp Brockiei Native Plant

Myosotis brockiei

Myosotis brockiei subsp. brockiei is an endemic Western Nelson forget-me-not of montane and subalpine rocky ground, with white flowers and exserted stamens.

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Myosotis Brockiei Subsp Dysis Native Plant (Myosotis brockiei subsp. dysis)

Myosotis Brockiei Subsp Dysis Native Plant

Myosotis brockiei

Habitat, care, and conservation notes for Myosotis brockiei in New Zealand flora.

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Myosotis Bryonoma Native Plant (Myosotis bryonoma)

Myosotis Bryonoma Native Plant

Myosotis bryonoma

Myosotis Bryonoma Native Plant ( Myosotis bryonoma ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.

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Myosotis Capitata Native Plant (Myosotis capitata)

Myosotis Capitata Native Plant

Myosotis capitata

Myosotis Capitata Native Plant ( Myosotis capitata ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.

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Myosotis Chaffeyorum Native Plant (Myosotis chaffeyorum)

Myosotis Chaffeyorum Native Plant

Myosotis chaffeyorum

Myosotis Chaffeyorum Native Plant ( Myosotis chaffeyorum ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.

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Myosotis Cheesemanii Native Plant (Myosotis cheesemanii)

Myosotis Cheesemanii Native Plant

Myosotis cheesemanii

Myosotis Cheesemanii Native Plant ( Myosotis cheesemanii ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.

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Myosotis Colensoi Native Plant (Myosotis colensoi)

Myosotis Colensoi Native Plant

Myosotis colensoi

Myosotis Colensoi Native Plant ( Myosotis 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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Myosotis Concinna Native Plant (Myosotis concinna)

Myosotis Concinna Native Plant

Myosotis concinna

Myosotis Concinna Native Plant ( Myosotis concinna ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.

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Myosotis Eximia Native Plant (Myosotis eximia)

Myosotis Eximia Native Plant

Myosotis eximia

Myosotis Eximia Native Plant ( Myosotis eximia ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.

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Myosotis Explanata Native Plant (Myosotis explanata)

Myosotis Explanata Native Plant

Myosotis explanata

Myosotis Explanata Native Plant ( Myosotis explanata ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.

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Myosotis Forsteri Native Plant (Myosotis forsteri)

Myosotis Forsteri Native Plant

Myosotis forsteri

Myosotis Forsteri Native Plant ( Myosotis forsteri ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.

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Myosotis Glabrescens Native Plant (Myosotis glabrescens)

Myosotis Glabrescens Native Plant

Myosotis glabrescens

Myosotis Glabrescens Native Plant ( Myosotis glabrescens ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.

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Myosotis Glauca Native Plant (Myosotis glauca)

Myosotis Glauca Native Plant

Myosotis glauca

Myosotis Glauca Native Plant ( Myosotis glauca ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.

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Myosotis Goyenii Native Plant (Myosotis goyenii)

Myosotis Goyenii Native Plant

Myosotis goyenii

Myosotis Goyenii Native Plant ( Myosotis 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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Myosotis Goyenii Subsp Goyenii Native Plant (Myosotis goyenii subsp. goyenii)

Myosotis Goyenii Subsp Goyenii Native Plant

Myosotis goyenii

Myosotis goyenii subsp. goyenii is the nominate form of an endemic South Island forget-me-not with loose rosettes and pale yellow to white flowers.

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Myosotis Goyenii Subsp Infima Native Plant (Myosotis goyenii subsp. infima)

Myosotis Goyenii Subsp Infima Native Plant

Myosotis goyenii

Habitat, care, and conservation notes for Myosotis goyenii in New Zealand flora.

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Myosotis Hikuwai Native Plant (Myosotis hikuwai)

Myosotis Hikuwai Native Plant

Myosotis hikuwai

Myosotis Hikuwai Native Plant ( Myosotis hikuwai ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.

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Myosotis Laeta Native Plant (Myosotis laeta)

Myosotis Laeta Native Plant

Myosotis laeta

Myosotis Laeta Native Plant ( Myosotis laeta ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.

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Myosotis Lyallii Native Plant (Myosotis lyallii)

Myosotis Lyallii Native Plant

Myosotis lyallii

Myosotis Lyallii Native Plant ( Myosotis lyallii ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.

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Myosotis Lyallii Subsp Elderi Native Plant (Myosotis lyallii subsp. elderi)

Myosotis Lyallii Subsp Elderi Native Plant

Myosotis lyallii

Myosotis lyallii subsp. elderi is a prostrate endemic forget-me-not of the drier eastern South Island, with wholly bracteate inflorescences and white corollas.

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Myosotis Lyallii Subsp Lyallii Native Plant (Myosotis lyallii subsp. lyallii)

Myosotis Lyallii Subsp Lyallii Native Plant

Myosotis lyallii

Habitat, care, and conservation notes for Myosotis lyallii in New Zealand flora.

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Myosotis Lytteltonensis Native Plant (Myosotis lytteltonensis)

Myosotis Lytteltonensis Native Plant

Myosotis lytteltonensis

Myosotis Lytteltonensis Native Plant ( Myosotis lytteltonensis ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.

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Myosotis Macrantha Native Plant (Myosotis macrantha)

Myosotis Macrantha Native Plant

Myosotis macrantha

Myosotis Macrantha Native Plant ( Myosotis macrantha ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.

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Myosotis Matthewsii Native Plant (Myosotis matthewsii)

Myosotis Matthewsii Native Plant

Myosotis matthewsii

Myosotis Matthewsii Native Plant ( Myosotis matthewsii ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.

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Myosotis Monroi Native Plant (Myosotis monroi)

Myosotis Monroi Native Plant

Myosotis monroi

Myosotis Monroi Native Plant ( Myosotis monroi ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.

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Myosotis Mooreana Native Plant (Myosotis mooreana)

Myosotis Mooreana Native Plant

Myosotis mooreana

Myosotis Mooreana Native Plant ( Myosotis mooreana ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.

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Myosotis Oreophila Native Plant (Myosotis oreophila)

Myosotis Oreophila Native Plant

Myosotis oreophila

Myosotis Oreophila Native Plant ( Myosotis oreophila ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.

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Myosotis Pansa Native Plant (Myosotis pansa)

Myosotis Pansa Native Plant

Myosotis pansa

Myosotis Pansa Native Plant ( Myosotis pansa ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.

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Myosotis Pansa Subsp Pansa Native Plant (Myosotis pansa subsp. pansa)

Myosotis Pansa Subsp Pansa Native Plant

Myosotis pansa

Myosotis pansa subsp. pansa , the Waitākere forget-me-not, is a North Island endemic with ebracteate inflorescences and white, exserted-stamen flowers.

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Myosotis Pansa Subsp Praeceps Native Plant (Myosotis pansa subsp. praeceps)

Myosotis Pansa Subsp Praeceps Native Plant

Myosotis pansa

Habitat, care, and conservation notes for Myosotis pansa in New Zealand flora.

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Myosotis Petiolata Native Plant (Myosotis petiolata)

Myosotis Petiolata Native Plant

Myosotis petiolata

Myosotis Petiolata Native Plant ( Myosotis petiolata ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.

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Myosotis Pottsiana Native Plant (Myosotis pottsiana)

Myosotis Pottsiana Native Plant

Myosotis pottsiana

Myosotis Pottsiana Native Plant ( Myosotis pottsiana ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.

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Myosotis Rakiura Native Plant (Myosotis rakiura)

Myosotis Rakiura Native Plant

Myosotis rakiura

Myosotis Rakiura Native Plant ( Myosotis rakiura ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.

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Myosotis Retrorsa Native Plant (Myosotis retrorsa)

Myosotis Retrorsa Native Plant

Myosotis retrorsa

Myosotis Retrorsa Native Plant ( Myosotis retrorsa ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.

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Myosotis Saxatilis Native Plant (Myosotis saxatilis)

Myosotis Saxatilis Native Plant

Myosotis saxatilis

Myosotis Saxatilis Native Plant ( Myosotis saxatilis ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.

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Myosotis Saxosa Native Plant (Myosotis saxosa)

Myosotis Saxosa Native Plant

Myosotis saxosa

Myosotis Saxosa Native Plant ( Myosotis saxosa ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.

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Myosotis Spatulata Native Plant (Myosotis spatulata)

Myosotis Spatulata Native Plant

Myosotis spatulata

Myosotis Spatulata Native Plant ( Myosotis spatulata ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.

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Myosotis Suavis Native Plant (Myosotis suavis)

Myosotis Suavis Native Plant

Myosotis suavis

Myosotis Suavis Native Plant ( Myosotis suavis ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.

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Myosotis Tenericaulis Native Plant (Myosotis tenericaulis)

Myosotis Tenericaulis Native Plant

Myosotis tenericaulis

Myosotis Tenericaulis Native Plant ( Myosotis tenericaulis ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.

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Myosotis Traversii Native Plant (Myosotis traversii)

Myosotis Traversii Native Plant

Myosotis traversii

Myosotis Traversii Native Plant ( Myosotis traversii ) is a New Zealand native plant represented here with a sourced image, practical growing notes, habitat context, and conservation information.

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Myosotis Traversii Subsp Cantabrica Native Plant (Myosotis traversii subsp. cantabrica)

Myosotis Traversii Subsp Cantabrica Native Plant

Myosotis traversii

Myosotis traversii subsp. cantabrica is a central South Island endemic that forms perennial rosettes with erect ebracteate inflorescences and white to yellow corollas.

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Growing 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.