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native daphne nz

Native daphne NZ is a sought-after plant for gardens across New Zealand thanks to its delicate flowers, resilient nature, and ability to support local biodiversity. While the name "daphne" often brings to mind the fragrant shrubs from Europe and Asia, New Zealand's own native daphne is something quite different—and just as beautiful. If you are searching for a native daphne NZ to enhance your garden with a hardy, low-growing groundcover, look no further than Pimelea, a genus represented in Aotearoa by several wonderful species.

Prumnopitys taxifolia (Matai) juvenile tree growing as a specimen in a park.

Prumnopitys taxifolia (Matai)

Prumnopitys taxifolia, commonly known as Matai or Black Pine, is a stately, NZ native tree with quite different juvenile and adult forms. The juvenile form has orange branches held with a tangled appearance and silver-coloured foliage. The tree eventually develops dense, yellow-green foliage and distinctive hammer mark patterns on the trunk. It typically grows to 10 m tall and 6 m wide in 10 years, but will eventually reach 25-30 m tall after several more decades. The different forms make Prumnopitys taxifolia both an unusual and attractive plant that is ideal for including in a mixed planting in a large garden or for using in a native revegetation project.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Trees
Height: 25.00 m
Spread: 6.00 m
Tolerances: Hardy
Garden uses: Parks, Ponds, Screening, Specimen
Garden styles: Alpine, Forestry, Native
Pimelea prostrata 'Blue Peter' plants with fine and elegant, blue foliage.

Pimelea prostrata 'Blue Peter'

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Pimelea prostrata 'Blue Peter', commonly known as Pinatoro or the NZ Daphne plant, is a mat-forming, NZ native, ground cover plant. It has small, blue foliage which becomes adorned with fragrant, white flowers in spring and results in white berries. This evergreen typically grows to 10 cm tall and 50 cm wide. Pimelea prostrata 'Blue Peter' is commonly used as a groundcover, added to coastal plantings, included in rock gardens, planted around outdoor living areas, grown on a bank, or positioned so it can spill out over a path or over a wall.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Groundcover Plants
Height: 10 cm
Spread: 50 cm
Flowering time: Spring
Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy, Wind
Garden uses: Borders, Ground covering, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Pool areas
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern, Native, Rock
Sophora prostrata plant growing with a backdrop of Coprosma 'Poor Knights'.
Sophora prostrata

Sophora prostrata (Prostrate Kōwhai) is a unique New Zealand native shrub known for its distinctive zigzag stems and small bright yellow flowers...

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Carpodetus serratus

Carpodetus serratus, commonly known as the Putaputaweta Tree or Marble Leaf, is an attractive, NZ native tree with spreading branches that host...

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Metrosideros excelsa (Pohutukawa) specimen tree with masses of red flowers in a coastal location.
Metrosideros excelsa (Pōhutukawa)

Metrosideros excelsa, commonly known as Pōhutukawa or the New Zealand Christmas Tree, is a coastal evergreen renowned for its brilliant red flowers...

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Daphne 'Perfume Princess' pink flowers and green foliage.
Daphne Perfume Princess (Perfume Princess Daphne)

Daphne Perfume Princess produces masses of highly fragrant, blush-pink flowers from mid-winter through spring. It grows with a rounded shape and...

From$48.23
A large Prumnopitys ferruginea (Miro Tree) with lush, green foliage.
Prumnopitys ferruginea

Prumnopitys ferruginea, commonly known as Miro, is a majestic New Zealand native tree belonging to the Podocarp family. This long lived evergreen...

From$408.85
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Sorbus aucuparia Scarlet King (Rowan Tree NZ)

Sorbus aucuparia Scarlet King is a variety of the commonly known, Mountain Ash, and is a small-sized, deciduous with impressive characteristics...

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Sophora longicarinata yellow flowers.
Sophora longicarinata (Limestone Kowhai)

Sophora longicarinata is a rare and beautiful NZ native tree belonging to the kowhai family. This evergreen to semi deciduous species is admired for...

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A Sophora chathamica tree growing in a garden with green foliage.
Sophora chathamica

Sophora chathamica (Coastal Kōwhai) is a stunning New Zealand native tree known for its masses of bright yellow flowers that appear in early spring...

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Leptospermum scoparium (Manuka) shrubs in a native reserve.
Leptospermum scoparium (Manuka)

Leptospermum scoparium, commonly known as Manuka or New Zealand Tea Tree, is a hardy native shrub prized for its aromatic foliage and masses of white...

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Libertia grandiflora plant with elegant white flowers and lush, dark green foliage.
Libertia grandiflora (NZ Iris)

Libertia grandiflora, commonly known as NZ Iris, is a hardy New Zealand native perennial admired for its elegant white flowers and sword like green...

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Dysoxylum spectabile tree.
Dysoxylum spectabile (New Zealand Mahogany)

Dysoxylum spectabile, commonly known as Kohekohe, is a majestic NZ native tree admired for its glossy dark green leaves and clusters of fragrant...

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Phyllocladus trichomanoides lush green foliage.
Phyllocladus trichomanoides (Celery Pine)

Phyllocladus trichomanoides, commonly called Celery Pine, is a striking New Zealand native tree valued for its unique, celery like foliage and tall...

From$515.35
Coprosma Poor Knights with lush green foliage.
Coprosma 'Poor Knights' (Taupata)

Coprosma 'Poor Knights' is a vibrant evergreen shrub valued for its glossy lime green foliage and compact rounded habit. This NZ native selection...

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Libocedrus plumosa (Kawaka) tree with green-yellow foliage.
Libocedrus plumosa (Kawaka)

Libocedrus plumosa, commonly known as Kawaka, is a majestic NZ native conifer valued for its graceful, feathery foliage and elegant pyramidal form...

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Nestegis montana narrow green leaves on a tree.
Nestegis montana (Narrow-Leaved Maire)

Nestegis montana is a hardy and attractive native tree of New Zealand, known for its upright growth habit and glossy green foliage. This evergreen...

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Laurelia novae-zelandiae

Laurelia novae-zelandiae, commonly known as Pukatea, is a magnificent NZ native tree admired for its glossy green leaves, fluted trunk, and...

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Vitex lucens (Puriri) lush, green foliage.
Vitex lucens

Vitex lucens, commonly known as Puriri, is a striking New Zealand native tree prized for its lush foliage, vibrant pink to red tubular flowers, and...

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Fuscospora cliffortioides (Mountain Beech)

Commonly known as Mountain Beech, this is a large, evergreen tree native to NZ. The foliage comprises small, dark green leaves which are held densely...

From$270.40
Coprosma Red Rocks with colourful foliage in a garden.
Coprosma 'Red Rocks'

Coprosma 'Red Rocks' is a hardy NZ native shrub known for its rich red toned foliage and tough spreading habit. Naturally found in coastal...

From$11.95
Kunzea ericoides (Kanuka) shrub in full flower.
Kunzea ericoides

Kunzea ericoides, commonly known as Kanuka, is a fast-growing, NZ native tree. It features small, dark green leaves that release a pleasant fragrance...

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Knightia excelsa (Rewarewa) specimen tree in a park.
Knightia excelsa

Knightia excelsa, commonly known as Rewarewa, is an impressive NZ native tree featuring showy flowers and lush foliage. Unusual yet attractive, dark...

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A Kunzea robusta shrub with masses of pretty, white flowers.
Kunzea robusta

Kunzea robusta (White Tea Tree) is a fast growing NZ native tree known for its fine foliage and masses of small white flowers that attract bees and...

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Native Plant Fertiliser (Native Fertiliser)

Selecting the correct native plant fertiliser is essential as they often tend to be slow growing and so require a tailored nutrient plan to meet...

From$13.40
Daphne genkwa purple flowers.
Daphne genkwa

Daphne genkwa (Blue Daphne) is a deciduous shrub admired for its masses of fragrant lavender blue flowers that appear on bare stems during late...

OUT OF STOCK
Daphne odora 'Aureomarginata' plant with variegated leaves and pink flowers.
Daphne odora Aureomarginata (Daphne japonica Striata)

Daphne odora 'Aureomarginata' is a beautiful evergreen shrub treasured for its intensely fragrant pink and white flowers and glossy green leaves...

OUT OF STOCK
Daphne 'Carol Mackie' plant with variegated leaves and pink flowers.
Daphne 'Carol Mackie'

Daphne 'Carol Mackie' is a stunning evergreen shrub admired for its highly fragrant pink flowers and beautifully variegated green and cream foliage...

OUT OF STOCK
Daphne odora 'Cameo' pink flowers with green foliage.
Daphne odora 'Cameo'

Daphne odora 'Cameo' is a compact evergreen shrub admired for its intensely fragrant pink flowers and attractive variegated foliage. Flowering from...

OUT OF STOCK
Daphne odora 'Rubra' flowers and foliage.
Daphne odora Rubra (Red Winter Daphne)

Daphne odora 'Rubra' is a highly prized evergreen shrub renowned for its intensely fragrant deep pink flowers that open from richly coloured buds...

OUT OF STOCK
Daphne bholua 'Jacqueline Postill' plant with green leaves and pink flowers.
Daphne 'Jacqueline Postill'

Daphne 'Jacqueline Postill' is a highly sought after evergreen shrub admired for its intensely fragrant pink flowers that appear from winter into...

OUT OF STOCK
Daphne gnidium plant with green leaves, white flowers, and orange berries.
Daphne gnidium (Flax-Leaved Daphne)

Daphne gnidium is an attractive evergreen shrub valued for its fine foliage, masses of fragrant white flowers, and colourful berries that provide...

OUT OF STOCK
Prumnopitys taxifolia (Matai)

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Carpodetus, Daphne, and Metrosideros, or related Categories - Groundcover Plants, Evergreen Shrubs, and Deciduous Trees.

Search native daphne nz

What Is Native Daphne in NZ?

In New Zealand, "native daphne" commonly refers to members of the Pimelea genus, particularly Pimelea prostrata. Unlike the traditional daphne shrubs with sweetly scented blooms, Pimelea species are known for their dainty clusters of white or pale pink flowers and their tolerance of tough coastal conditions. These evergreen groundcovers and small shrubs thrive in a wide range of New Zealand gardens, from windswept seaside plots to alpine rockeries.

Pimelea prostrata 'Blue Peter': A Standout Native Daphne

For gardeners wanting to add native daphne NZ to their landscape, Pimelea prostrata 'Blue Peter' is a top choice. This cultivar boasts compact, mounding growth with soft blue-green foliage and charming white flowers in spring and summer. Its tidy growth habit makes it perfect for bordering paths, spilling over retaining walls, or providing groundcover between larger shrubs and trees. Hardy to dry, exposed conditions, Pimelea prostrata 'Blue Peter' is an excellent plant for low-maintenance native gardens.

Native Daphne NZ vs. Classic Daphne Shrubs

While Pimelea species are our true native daphnes, many gardeners in New Zealand also appreciate the exotic beauty of traditional daphne shrubs. From winter- to spring-flowering, these shrubs are valued for their heady scent and elegant form. If you're curious to compare, you might enjoy exploring:

How to Grow Native Daphne NZ

Pimelea prostrata and other native daphne NZ types are wonderfully easy to grow, thriving in full sun to part shade. They prefer well-drained soil and appreciate a mulched root zone to retain moisture. Once established, they require very little water and can withstand salt-laden winds, making them ideal for coastal gardens. Light pruning after flowering will help maintain a neat shape.

Enhance Your Garden with Native Daphne NZ

Choosing native daphne NZ plants like Pimelea prostrata 'Blue Peter' brings a true sense of Aotearoa to your landscape. Their subtle beauty, resilience, and role in supporting native insects make them an outstanding addition for any Kiwi garden. Whether paired with exotics like Daphne Carol Mackie or grown among other New Zealand natives, native daphne NZ is sure to delight for years to come.


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