Rhopalostylis sapida 5m x 3m The name Rhopalostylis comes from the combining of Greek terms for club (ropalon) and style (stylis) – the central part of the flower, alluding to floral anatomy shape. Sapida is Latin for tasty. The only palm native to mainland New Zealand. Can grow up to 15m high, and is a popular food source with …

Metrosideros excelsa, NZ Christmas Tree 12m x 8m The name Metrosideros comes from the combining of Greek terms for heart (metra) and iron (sideros), alluding to the hard heartwood of the tree. Excelsa is Latin for noble. Great for a spectacular splash of summer colour, which the Maori saw as hailing the beginning of summer. The Maori …

Arthropodium cirratum, NZ Rock Lily Rengarenga / Maikaika 60cm high x 50cm spread Derived from two Greek words: arthron meaning jointed, and podion meaning a small foot, in reference to the jointed flower stems. The curving anther tips give rise to the species name cirrata, meaning curled in Latin. Rengarenga is recorded as being one of the five …

Jasminum officinale The name jasmine comes from the Persian word ”yasmin”, which means “fragrant flower.”  The word officinale means “of or belonging to an officina” – the officina being the storeroom of a monastery, where medicines and other necessaries were kept. An entwining wall coverer with delicately scented blooms through summer. Deciduous in parts of New Zealand with cooler winters.     Requires a …

Phormium tenax – Harakeke 3m x 3m The name Phormium comes from Greek term for “basket”, while tenax is Latin for “strong”. This alludes to its use in weaving by the Maori. This plant is very important to Maori people for weaving, to the point that each pa site had its own flax plantation. This native plant is very …