Name: The Plant Company
Address: 284 Meeanee Road, Meeanee, Napier, 4112, New Zealand
Telephone: 0800 843 752
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hardy evergreen trees

Hardy evergreen trees are a cornerstone of New Zealand gardens, offering year-round colour, structure, and resilience to a range of challenging conditions. For Kiwis seeking privacy, windbreaks, or simply an attractive, low-maintenance feature, choosing the right evergreens means less fuss and more enjoyment. Whether you’re after a sleek conifer, a majestic statement tree, or a compact evergreen for smaller spaces, the right hardy evergreen trees can withstand frosty winters, exposed sites, and even coastal environments. Explore our collection and discover which varieties thrive best in your location.

Cupressus ovensii

Cupressus ovensii (Ovens Cypress) is a hardy evergreen conifer admired for its fine textured foliage and dense upright growth habit. This resilient tree provides year round structure, greenery, and shelter in NZ landscapes while also creating an attractive natural feature in larger gardens and rural settings.

Buy Cupressus ovensii

From $28.91

Suited to regions: All regions

Plant type: Conifers

Height: 10.00 m

Spread: 4.00 m

Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy, Wind

Garden uses: Hedging, Screening

Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Forestry, Formal, Frontyard, Modern

Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem'

Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem' is a compact, evergreen tree prized for its glossy green leaves and large, fragrant white flowers. Growing to around 4–6 metres tall, it's ideal for smaller gardens, screening, or feature planting. 'Little Gem' blooms from late spring to summer and offers year-round appeal with its dense foliage and tidy form.

Buy Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem'

From $270.40

Suited to regions: All regions

Plant type: Trees

Height: 5.00 m

Spread: 2.50 m

Flowering time: Spring, Summer

Tolerances: Hardy

Garden uses: Living areas, Parks, Pool areas, Screening, Specimen

Garden styles: Alpine, Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, White

Why Choose Hardy Evergreen Trees?

Hardy evergreen trees bring structure and lushness to the garden, even when other plants lose their leaves. They serve as natural windbreaks, create privacy screens, and provide vital shelter for native birds. Unlike deciduous varieties, these trees keep your outdoor spaces looking vibrant all year. Many gardeners love them as backdrop planting, but their versatility doesn’t end there. Hardy evergreen trees can also stabilize slopes and reduce erosion, lending beauty and function at the same time.

Top Choices for Hardy Evergreen Trees

Cryptomeria japonica Egmont

Cryptomeria japonica Egmont is a favoured conifer in New Zealand gardens thanks to its compact, upright form and feathery, bright green foliage. Exceptionally hardy, this variety tolerates frosty conditions and thrives in a range of soils. Its neat shape makes it ideal for formal plantings, hedges, or as a feature in mixed borders.

Sequoiadendron giganteum (Sequoia gigantea Tree)

For those dreaming of a statement tree, Sequoiadendron giganteum (Sequoia gigantea Tree) is as grand as hardy evergreen trees come. Also known as Giant Sequoia, this imposing evergreen is renowned for its towering presence and deeply furrowed bark. While it prefers well-drained soils, it adapts well to New Zealand’s climate and offers many decades of shelter and shade.

Quercus ilex

Quercus ilex, or Holm Oak, is a broadleaf evergreen with tough, leathery, dark green leaves that resist both wind and salt. This makes it perfect for coastal gardeners seeking robust, wind-hardy evergreen trees. With its spreading canopy and strong structure, Quercus ilex is often used for avenue planting or as a majestic specimen tree.

Magnolia grandiflora Little Gem

For those wanting evergreen beauty on a smaller scale, Magnolia grandiflora Little Gem is a compact variety ideal for urban gardens, pots, or feature planting. It boasts glossy green leaves and stunning white blooms from spring to late summer. Hardy for New Zealand conditions, Little Gem brings evergreen charm and floral interest in a well-behaved package.

Companion Planting and Understory

Pair your hardy evergreen trees with attractive understory plants like Azalea indica for bursts of seasonal colour beneath or around the base. This combination provides year-round interest and additional habitat value while making the most of all garden layers.

Choose the Best Hardy Evergreen Trees for Your Garden

When selecting hardy evergreen trees, consider your site’s soil, sun, wind exposure, and desired look. Our nursery offers expert guidance and high-quality plants to ensure lasting success. Browse our full plant range to discover a hardy, evergreen option perfectly suited to your New Zealand landscape.

Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.

hardy evergreen trees

Cupressus ovensii

Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem'

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Why Choose Hardy Evergreen Trees?