Phormium cookianum ssp. cookianum
Wharariki or Mountain flax Ht 0.6m
Stiffly erect, evergreen leaves with a dark brown stripe on the edge. Very hardy, naturally growing in subalpine areas. Flowers attract birds and bees Suitable for small gardens and low cover on exposed sites.
Group trees and shrubs:
No
Categories:
- Grass - Strap like leaves
- NZ native
- Evergreen
- Resistant to salt spray
- Tolerates exposed sites
- Tolerates dry sites
- Attractive flowers or catkins
- Attractive to birds
- Attractive berries fruits or cone
- Attracts bees
Parrotia persica
Persian ironwood Ht 6-15m
Broadly spreading, deciduous. Exfoliating bark similar to the London Plane. Small flowers with red stamens on the bare branches in winter. Leaves sometimes edged with purple that turn yellow, orange or red in autumn. Tolerates dry sites.
Group trees and shrubs:
Yes
Categories:
- Small Tree
- Deciduous
- Tolerates dry sites
- Tolerates shade
- Attractive autumn colours - yellow
- Attractive autumn colours - orange
- Attractive flowers or catkins
- Erosion control
- Shelter
Koelreuteria paniculata
Golden rain tree Ht 5-10m
China and Korea. Broadly spreading, deciduous. Long pinnate leaves, yellow and orange in autumn. Small yellow flowers in large panicles followed by papery triangular capsules. Both make a good display. Suit hot dry sites.
Group trees and shrubs:
Yes
Categories:
- Small Tree
- Deciduous
- Tolerates dry sites
- Attractive autumn colours - yellow
- Attractive autumn colours - orange
- Attractive flowers or catkins
- Attractive to birds
- Attractive berries fruits or cone
- Attracts bees
Fraxinus ornus
Flowering ash Ht 5-8m
Manna ash - from south Europe and southwest Asia. Broadly spreading, deciduous. Bark is dark grey remaining smooth. Leaves with 5-9 broad ovoid leaflets, autumn colours yellow or purple. Conspicuous clusters of small fragrant white flowers, insect pollinated, developing into bunches of slender samaras. Sap produces a sugary extract 'manna'. Very drought tolerant and used as a street tree.
Group trees and shrubs:
Yes
Categories:
- Small Tree
- Deciduous
- Tolerates exposed sites
- Tolerates dry sites
- Attractive autumn colours - yellow
- Attractive flowers or catkins
- Attractive berries fruits or cone
Fraxinus angustifolia (syn. F.oxycarpa)
Mediterranean ash Ht 20-30m
Central & Southern Europe, N.W. Africa & S.W. Asia. Medium sized deciduous pioneer species. Tolerates dry and hot soils but best growth on deep moist soils, casting a heavy shade. Can be pollarded for stock feed. Buds pale brown, Leaves with 7-13 narrow leaflets, purplish autumn colour on some trees. Flowers in early spring, developing into bunches of brown samaras. Timber inferior in strength & elasticity to F. excelsior.
Group trees and shrubs:
Yes
Categories:
- Medium tree
- Deciduous
- Tolerates dry sites
- Attractive autumn colours - yellow
- Attractive autumn colours - purple
- Attractive berries fruits or cone
- Timber
- Firewood
Crataegus ellwangeriana
Large fruited haw Ht 3-6m
Eastern USA. Broadly spreading, deciduous. Healthy large green leaves - yellow in autumn. Branches on older trees have a few large thorns. 2cm wide white flowers in large clusters and large scarlet fruits. Good screening.
Group trees and shrubs:
Yes
Categories:
- Shrub
- Deciduous
- Tolerates dry sites
- Attractive autumn colours - yellow
- Attractive flowers or catkins
- Attractive to birds
- Attractive berries fruits or cone
- Attracts bees
- Shelter
Chamaecytisus palmensis (PLUG grown)
Tree lucerne (Tagasaste) Ht 6m
A wide spreading, tall, deciduous shrub. Vigorous growth, leaves & white flowers in spring, eaten by native pigeons. Foliage can be cut for grazing stock in droughts. fixes nitrogen. Can be killed by severe frosts. Topped.
Group trees and shrubs:
Yes
Categories:
- Shrub
- Deciduous
- Tolerates dry sites
- Attractive flowers or catkins
- Attractive to birds
- Attracts bees
- Erosion control
- Container Grown
Aesculus indica
Indian horse chestnut Ht 20-30m
Northwest Himalayas. Broadly columnar, deciduous. Creates heavy shade. Creamy white flowers much later than A. hippocastanum. Conkers are almost black and produced in smooth skinned fruits. Drought and heat tolerant.
Group trees and shrubs:
Yes
Categories:
- Medium tree
- Deciduous
- Tolerates dry sites
- Attractive autumn colours - yellow
- Attractive autumn colours - orange
- Attractive flowers or catkins
- Attractive berries fruits or cone
- Attracts bees
- Tolerates limestone soils
Acer pseudoplatanus purpureum
Sycamore (purple under leaf) Ht 25-30m
Broadly columnar, deciduous. Vigorous grower. Similar in all characteristics to the green leaf form. The purple colour under the leaf adds variety. White hardwood joinery timber.
Group trees and shrubs:
Yes
Categories:
- Large tree
- Deciduous
- Resistant to salt spray
- Tolerates exposed sites
- Tolerates dry sites
- Attractive berries fruits or cone
- Attracts bees
- Timber
- Firewood
Acer pseudoplatanus
Sycamore Ht 25-30m
Europe and south west Asia. Broadly columnar, deciduous. Vigorous grower. Tolerates harsh conditions. Can seed prolifically and provide fodder for grazing animals. In Central Otago it gives good yellow autumn colour.
Group trees and shrubs:
Yes
Categories:
- Large tree
- Deciduous
- Resistant to salt spray
- Tolerates exposed sites
- Tolerates dry sites
- Attractive autumn colours - yellow
- Attractive berries fruits or cone
- Attracts bees
- Timber
- Firewood
- Tolerates limestone soils
Pages
