Native Shrubs of New Zealand | NZ Native Plants

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Introduction

Overview

New Zealand native shrubs are a diverse group of plants that fill important roles in forests, shrublands, and gardens. They provide food and shelter for birds and insects, stabilize soils, and add structure to natural and designed landscapes. Notable species include Coprosma repens (Taupata), Griselinia littoralis (Broadleaf), and Olearia paniculata (Akiraho). Many native shrubs are valued for their resilience, attractive foliage, and ability to thrive in a range of conditions, making them popular choices for restoration and landscaping projects. Species like Lacebark with its distinctive textured bark and narrow leaves, and Muskwood with its aromatic silvery-grey foliage, add unique architectural elements to gardens. Alpine species like Bush Snowberry , Leatherwood , and Leafy Tree Daisy are particularly hardy, thriving in challenging mountain environments with their distinctive foliage shapes and reliable flowering.

Tainui (Pomaderris phylicifolia)

Tainui

Pomaderris phylicifolia

Naturally uncommon native shrub with narrow leaves and pale yellow flower clusters, valued in warm coastal scrub plantings.

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Pale-Flowered Kūmarahou (Pomaderris hamiltonii)

Pale-Flowered Kūmarahou

Pomaderris hamiltonii

Threatened endemic shrub or small tree with pale flower clusters, tied to northern scrub and open clay-bank habitats.

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Tauhinu (Ozothamnus leptophyllus)

Tauhinu

Ozothamnus leptophyllus

Endemic many-branched shrub with tiny narrow leaves and white flower heads, common in coastal and lower mountain shrubland.

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Shrubby Haloragis (Haloragis erecta)

Shrubby Haloragis

Haloragis erecta

Endemic perennial herb or subshrub of forest, scrub, slips, burns, and recently cleared ground.

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Monoao (Dracophyllum subulatum)

Monoao

Dracophyllum subulatum

Endemic Central North Island shrub with fine grass-like leaves, dominant in pumice frost-flat vegetation.

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Yellow Mistletoe

Yellow Mistletoe

Alepis flavida

Showy golden‑flowered mistletoe; a canopy hemi‑parasite supported by native birds.

Northern Archeria (Archeria racemosa)

Northern Archeria

Archeria racemosa

An erect, endemic New Zealand shrub with glossy leaves and racemes of small white to pink flowers, thriving in acidic soils of the northern North Island.

Southern Archeria (Archeria traversii)

Southern Archeria

Archeria traversii

An erect, endemic southern New Zealand shrub with narrow, leathery leaves and white to deep red flowers, found in shrublands and forests.

Bush Daphne (Alseuosmia banksii)

Bush Daphne

Alseuosmia banksii

Slender and highly fragrant evergreen shrub with glossy foliage, endemic to the northern North Island forest undergrowth.

Narrow-leaved Toropapa (Alseuosmia linariifolia)

Narrow-leaved Toropapa

Alseuosmia linariifolia

Slender and fragrant evergreen shrub with glossy, narrow foliage, endemic to northern North Island forest interiors.

Large-leaved Toropapa

Large-Leaved Toropapa

Alseuosmia macrophylla

Fragrant native shrub with distinctive glossy leaves and beautifully scented flowers; excellent understory plant.

Oak-leaved Toropapa (Alseuosmia quercifolia)

Oak-leaved Toropapa

Alseuosmia quercifolia

Captivating evergreen shrub with distinctive oak-like foliage and highly fragrant flowers, native to North Island forest undergrowth.

Bush Lily (Astelia fragrans)

Bush Lily

Astelia fragrans

Bush Lily is a robust New Zealand plant with sword-like leaves and fragrant flowers followed by attractive orange berries.

Adams' Brachyglottis

Adams' Brachyglottis

Brachyglottis adamsii

An endemic New Zealand shrub with sticky foliage and bright yellow daisy-like flowers, thriving in subalpine rocky habitats.

Cassinia Brachyglottis

Cassinia Brachyglottis

Brachyglottis cassinioides

A bushy, grey-green, drought-tolerant endemic New Zealand shrub with yellow daisy-like flowers.

Brachyglottis arborescens

Chatham Island Senecio

Brachyglottis arborescens

Chatham Island Senecio is a native New Zealand plant with notable features; well suited to New Zealand plantings.

Common Broom

Common Broom

Carmichaelia australis

Hardy widespread native broom, vital pioneer species for restoration with small scented flowers.

Dwarf Broom

Dwarf Broom

Carmichaelia curta

Rare, semi-leafless shrub with whippy yellow-green stems and purple-striped flowers; endemic to South Island drylands.

Holloway's Broom

Holloway's Broom

Carmichaelia hollowayi

Critically endangered dwarf broom with yellowish branches and white flowers, endemic to limestone outcrops.

Whip Broom

Whip Broom

Carmichaelia flagelliformis

Distinctive NZ broom with slender, whip-like branches and fragrant purple flowers; native to the North Island.

Stout Dwarf Broom

Stout Dwarf Broom

Carmichaelia monroi

Rare leafless shrub with stout, yellow-green branches and delicate pea-like flowers, ideal for dry, rocky gardens.

Clifford Bay Broom (Carmichaelia muritai)

Clifford Bay Broom

Carmichaelia muritai

Critically endangered upright shrub with dense bronzed stems and small summer flowers, endemic to Marlborough.

Dwarf Broom (Carmichaelia nana)

Pygmy Dwarf Broom

Carmichaelia nana

Remarkable mat-forming shrub featuring flattened leafless branches and small purple flowers in summer.

Scented Broom

Scented Broom

Carmichaelia odorata

Compact broom with scented pea-flowers; best in well-drained, sheltered positions.

Giant Flowering Broom (Carmichaelia williamsii)

Giant Flowering Broom

Carmichaelia williamsii

Striking coastal shrub featuring unusually large yellow pea-like flowers and wide, flattened green branches.

Raoul Island Coprosma

Raoul Island Coprosma

Coprosma acutifolia

Raoul Island Coprosma is a native New Zealand plant with notable features; well suited to New Zealand plantings.

Coprosma areolata

Thin-leaved Coprosma

Coprosma areolata

An upright shrub with distinctive net-veined leaves; commonly found in lowland forests.

Purple-berried Coprosma

Purple-berried Coprosma

Coprosma atropurpurea

Hardy alpine groundcover with striking dark magenta berries and dense mat-forming growth.

Brown-stemmed Coprosma

Brown-stemmed Coprosma

Coprosma brunnea

Unique shrub with wiry brown stems and jewel-like blue berries; ideal for rock gardens.

Hairy Coprosma

Hairy Coprosma

Coprosma ciliata

Tough shrub with textured, hairy foliage; reliable in cool, wet habitats.

Broad-leaved Coprosma

Broad-Leaved Coprosma

Coprosma dumosa

Hardy coprosma with broad foliage; useful for shelter and restoration plantings.

Stinkwood

Stinkwood

Coprosma foetidissima

Distinctive shrub with a strong leaf scent; common at forest margins and stream edges.

Foweraker's Coprosma

Foweraker's Coprosma

Coprosma fowerakeri

Hardy alpine groundcover with dense mats of fleshy leaves and colourful fruits.

Kanono

Kanono

Coprosma grandifolia

Large, soft leaves; prefers moist shade and provides berries for native birds.

Kūmarahou (Pomaderris kumeraho)

Kūmarahou

Pomaderris kumeraho

Known as 'gumdigger's soap' for its lathering blooms, this spectacular yellow-flowered shrub is a cornerstone of rongoā Māori, traditionally used to treat respiratory ailments.

Tumbledown Coprosma

Tumbledown Coprosma

Coprosma intertexta

Rare and architectural needle-leaved shrub with tangled reddish branches; extremely drought-hardy.

Large-fruited Coprosma

Large-fruited Coprosma

Coprosma macrocarpa

Glossy-leaved coastal shrub featuring the largest berries in the genus; essential for kererū and coastal birds.

Small-seeded Coprosma

Small-Seeded Coprosma

Coprosma microcarpa

Compact, small-leaved shrub; good for hedging and exposed, cold sites.

Neglected Coprosma

Neglected Coprosma

Coprosma neglecta

Robust, sprawling shrub with glossy green leaves and vibrant orange-red berries; resilient to harsh coastal conditions.

Small-leaved Coprosma

Small-Leaved Coprosma

Coprosma parviflora

Delicate small-flowered coprosma with tiny leaves; excellent for rock gardens and dry slopes.

Stalked Coprosma (Coprosma pedicellata)

Stalked Coprosma

Coprosma pedicellata

Coprosma pedicellata is a unique native shrub known for its berries borne on conspicuous stalks.

Mingimingi

Mingimingi

Coprosma propinqua

Highly adaptable shrub or small tree with divaricating branches and translucent dark blue berries; important bird food.

Taupata

Taupata

Coprosma repens

Glossy-leaved coastal shrub with orange berries; excellent for windbreaks and seaside gardens.

Karamā

Karamā

Coprosma robusta

Coastal-tolerant shrub with orange berries; excellent shelter and wildlife value.

Rigid Coprosma

Rigid Coprosma

Coprosma rigida

Small, dense shrub with rigid, zig-zagging branches; adaptable to wet or dry sites.

Red-stemmed Coprosma

Red-Stemmed Coprosma

Coprosma rubra

Distinctive divaricating shrub with reddish bark and yellowish-white berries; excellent for riparian planting.

Round-leaved Coprosma

Round-leaved Coprosma

Coprosma rotundifolia

Bushy native shrub with nearly circular, purple-blotched leaves and attractive red berries; ideal for damp, fertile sites.

Mountain Coprosma

Mountain Coprosma

Coprosma rugosa

Upright mountain coprosma; very hardy and wind-tolerant in cold climates.