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
Cushion Daisy
Abrotanella caespitosa
A specialized alpine cushion daisy forming dense, low-growing mats in high-country environments.
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Puatea
Anaphalioides trinervis
Puatea ( Anaphalioides trinervis ) is an adaptable trailing herb that sprawls, hangs or creeps over damp banks and rocky ledges, with stems reaching up to 1.5 metres long.
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Kopoti
Anisotome aromatica
Kopoti ( Anisotome aromatica ) is a tufted alpine herb of New Zealand's high country, forming dense rosettes of pinnately divided, finely toothed leaves 10 to 50 cm tall.
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Wavy-leaved Anisotome
Anisotome flexuosa
Wavy-leaved Anisotome ( Anisotome flexuosa ) is a small alpine herb forming tufted rosettes of pinnately divided, deeply toothed, vibrant-green leaves 10 to 30 cm tall.
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Renga Lily
Arthropodium cirratum
Renga Lily is fast-growing with notable shelter value; well suited to New Zealand plantings.
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Hector's Daisy
Celmisia hectori
Hector's Daisy ( Celmisia hectori ) is a spectacular perennial subshrub endemic to New Zealand's South Island, found from Canterbury southwards.
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Common Sneezeweed
Centipeda cunninghamii
Centipeda cunninghamii , commonly called Common Sneezeweed, is a low-growing herb native to New Zealand, typically reaching 10-30 cm tall.
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Green Bird Orchid
Chiloglottis cornuta
A small terrestrial orchid with distinctive bird-like flowers; prefers cool, damp forest floors.
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Dancing Spider Orchid
Corybas acuminatus
Fascinating terrestrial orchid with long, thread-like sepals and a heart-shaped leaf, endemic to New Zealand.
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Cheeseman's Spider Orchid
Corybas cheesemanii
A tiny terrestrial orchid with a helmet-like flower, found in deep leaf litter of shaded forests.
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Veined Helmet Orchid
Corybas diemenicus
Delicate terrestrial orchid with helmet-shaped flowers and prominent crimson veining, found in moist forest floors.
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Spider Orchid
Corybas oblongus
Widespread terrestrial orchid with a distinctive oval leaf and intricate crimson flowers, endemic to New Zealand.
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Dark Spider Orchid
Corybas obscurus
Striking terrestrial orchid with nearly black flowers, found in the damp leaf litter of beech forests.
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St George's Spider Orchid
Corybas sanctigeorgianus
Rare and localized terrestrial orchid with a velvety white and red flower, endemic to the North Island.
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Common Spider Orchid
Corybas trilobus
A highly variable terrestrial orchid forming dense colonies in diverse shaded habitats.
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Glass Spider Orchid
Corybas vitreus
A tiny terrestrial orchid with a translucent center, endemic to New Zealand's moist forest floors.
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Tūrutu
Dianella nigra
Tūrutu is fast-growing with notable restoration use; well suited to New Zealand plantings.
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Alpine Sundew
Drosera arcturi
Alpine Sundew ( Drosera arcturi ) is a small perennial carnivorous herb of New Zealand's alpine and subalpine bogs, standing just 2 to 5 cm tall.
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Narrow-Leaved Sundew
Drosera stenopetala
Narrow-Leaved Sundew ( Drosera stenopetala ) is New Zealand's only endemic sundew species, a rosette-forming carnivorous perennial of montane to alpine bogs.
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Smooth Willow Herb
Epilobium glabellum
Smooth Willow Herb is fast-growing with notable restoration use; well suited to New Zealand plantings.
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Star Cudweed
Euchiton sphaericus
Star Cudweed ( Euchiton sphaericus ) is an erect annual or short-lived perennial herb native to New Zealand, usually reaching 5 to 20 cm tall.
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Shore Spurge
Euphorbia glauca
Shore Spurge is fast-growing with notable restoration use; well suited to New Zealand plantings.
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Tree Fuchsia
Fuchsia excorticata
Tree Fuchsia is fast-growing with notable evergreen foliage; well suited to New Zealand plantings.
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Trailing Fuchsia
Fuchsia procumbens
Trailing Fuchsia is fast-growing with notable shelter value; well suited to New Zealand plantings.
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Black Orchid
Gastrodia cunninghamii
Unique chlorophyll-lacking orchid with a dark stem and white flowers, a parasitic native of New Zealand forests.
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Molloy's Potato Orchid
Gastrodia molloyi
Rare leafless saprophytic orchid with tall golden-brown stems and sweet-scented flowers, endemic to New Zealand forests.
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Cinnamon Bells
Gastrodia sesamoides
Leafless saprophytic orchid with bell-shaped flowers, a cinnamon fragrance, found in New Zealand and Australia.
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Chatham Island Geranium
Geranium traversii
Chatham Island Geranium is coastal-tolerant with notable evergreen foliage; well suited to New Zealand plantings.
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Hamilton's Gunnera
Gunnera hamiltonii
Hamilton's Gunnera is resilient with notable shelter value; well suited to New Zealand plantings.
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Small Gunnera
Gunnera monoica
Small Gunnera is wind-hardy with notable restoration use; well suited to New Zealand plantings.
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Grassy St John's Wort
Hypericum gramineum
Grassy St John's Wort ( Hypericum gramineum ) is a small, glabrous perennial or sometimes annual herb native to New Zealand.
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Large-Flowered NZ Iris
Libertia grandiflora
Large-flowered NZ Iris is wind-hardy with notable nectar for wildlife; well suited to New Zealand plantings.
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Yellow-Seeded NZ Iris
Libertia ixioides
Yellow-seeded NZ Iris is resilient with notable evergreen foliage; well suited to New Zealand plantings.
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Small-Flowered Libertia
Libertia micrantha
Small-Flowered Libertia is a delicate forest iris with tiny white flowers, thriving in montane forests.
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Swamp Musk
Mazus radicans
Swamp Musk is bird-attracting with notable evergreen foliage; well suited to New Zealand plantings.
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New Zealand Mint
Mentha cunninghamii
New Zealand Mint ( Mentha cunninghamii ), known in te reo Māori as hioi or moki, is a delicate, highly fragrant perennial herb endemic to New Zealand.
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Chatham Island Forget-Me-Not
Myosotidium hortensia
Chatham Island Forget-Me-Not is a spectacular coastal plant featuring giant glossy leaves and vibrant blue flowers.
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Cushion Forget-Me-Not
Myosotis pulvinaris
Cushion Forget-Me-Not ( Myosotis pulvinaris ) is a slow-growing alpine perennial that forms tight, rounded cushions up to 10 centimetres across.
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Large-Leaved Ourisia
Ourisia macrophylla
Large-leaved Ourisia is fast-growing with notable restoration use; well suited to New Zealand plantings.
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Campbell Island Daisy
Pleurophyllum speciosum
The Campbell Island Daisy ( Pleurophyllum speciosum ), also called the Great Emperor Daisy, is a spectacular megaherb endemic to New Zealand's subantarctic islands.
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Mount Cook Lily
Ranunculus lyallii
Mount Cook Lily is wind-hardy with notable nectar for wildlife; well suited to New Zealand plantings.
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Large Mountain Daisy
Raoulia eximia
Large Mountain Daisy is bird-attracting with notable nectar for wildlife; well suited to New Zealand plantings.
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Cushion Plant
Scleranthus uniflorus
Cushion Plant is resilient with notable shelter value; well suited to New Zealand plantings.
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West Coast Kōwhai
Sophora fulvida
West Coast Kōwhai is bird-attracting with notable restoration use; well suited to New Zealand plantings.
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Prostrate Kōwhai
Sophora prostrata
Prostrate Kōwhai is wind-hardy with notable evergreen foliage; well suited to New Zealand plantings.
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North Island Kōwhai
Sophora tetraptera
North Island Kōwhai is fast-growing with notable timber value; well suited to New Zealand plantings.
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Long-Keel Kōwhai
Sophora longicarinata
Long-Keel Kōwhai ( Sophora longicarinata ) is a small tree endemic to New Zealand, typically 2 to 8 metres tall, with unusually long keels on its yellow pea flowers.
View detailsGrowing 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.