native plants for under trees
Finding the right native plants for under trees can transform shaded, hard-to-grow areas into lush, thriving corners of your New Zealand garden. Whether you’re working beneath established natives or deciduous canopy, the right understorey choices add year-round texture, colour, and biodiversity. Native groundcovers, ferns, and shade-tolerant shrubs not only emphasise our unique flora but also support bird life, suppress weeds, and manage moisture—all while celebrating the beauty of Aotearoa’s landscapes.
Pittosporum eugenioides (Tarata)
Pittosporum eugenioides, commonly known as Tarata or Lemonwood, is a fast-growing native New Zealand tree valued for its glossy green leaves and lemon-scented foliage. It can reach 10 metres tall and makes an excellent shelter tree or native hedge. In spring, it produces clusters of small, yellowish flowers that are attractive to insects.
From $15.04
Sophora microphylla (Small Leaved Kōwhai)
Sophora microphylla, commonly known as Weeping Kowhai, is a treasured New Zealand native tree admired for its graceful, drooping branches and masses of golden yellow flowers in spring. This semi-evergreen species is highly attractive to native birds such as tui and bellbirds, which feed on its nectar.
