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small kowhai tree

Are you looking for a beautiful small kowhai tree to enhance your New Zealand garden? With their vibrant golden flowers and manageable size, small kowhai trees are an excellent choice for gardeners seeking native flair without overwhelming their space. Whether you’re creating a courtyard oasis, revamping a lifestyle block, or adding colour to urban planting schemes, the small kowhai tree offers visual impact, birdlife attraction, and year-round interest.

Sophora microphylla specimen tree covered in yellow flowers.

Sophora microphylla (Small Leaved Kōwhai)

5 from 3 customers

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.

From $28.91

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Trees
Height: 8.00 m
Spread: 5.00 m
Flowering time: Spring
Tolerances: Hardy, Wet, Wind
Garden uses: Parks, Ponds, Screening, Specimen
Garden styles: Alpine, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Native
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 its finely divided leaves and masses of golden yellow flowers that appear in spring, attracting native birds such as tui and bellbirds.

From $323.65

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate
Plant type: Trees
Height: 5.00 m
Spread: 3.50 m
Flowering time: Spring
Tolerances: Hardy
Garden uses: Living areas, Parks, Ponds, Screening, Specimen
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Native
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...

From$323.65
A Sophora godleyi specimen tree covered in yellow flowers.
Sophora godleyi (Godleys Kowhai)

Sophora godleyi is a magnificent New Zealand native tree valued for its graceful weeping branches and bright yellow flowers that appear in spring...

From$323.65
Sophora tetraptera (Large-leaved Kowhai) yellow flowers.
Sophora tetraptera (Large Leaved Kōwhai)

Sophora tetraptera, commonly known as the Large Leaved Kowhai, is a striking New Zealand native tree admired for its bold foliage and spectacular...

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Planter Bags 3/4 (Seedling Bags)

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A small Cornus kousa 'China Girl' specimen tree with masses of white flowers against green foliage.
Cornus kousa 'China Girl'

Cornus kousa 'China Girl' is a small and popular, deciduous tree with large and showy, white flowers that adorn the tree in spring and are followed...

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A Cornus kousa 'Satomi' specimen tree with masses of elegant pink flowers.
Cornus kousa 'Satomi'

Cornus kousa 'Satomi' is a small and popular, deciduous tree that features masses of large and showy, pink flowers in spring, which are followed by...

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A Liquidambar 'Gumball' tree with fabulous autumn colours.
Liquidambar styraciflua 'Gumball'

Liquidambar styraciflua 'Gumball' is a small tree grown for its form and fantastic autumn colours. This popular ornamental tree features leaves that...

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Prunus autumnalis 'Rosea'

Prunus autumnalis 'Rosea' is an attractive deciduous flowering tree valued for its delicate pink blossoms and unusually long flowering season. Small...

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Michelia 'Bubbles'

Michelia 'Bubbles' is a striking evergreen shrub or small tree valued for its glossy green foliage and masses of creamy white, fragrant flowers that...

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Fuscospora solandri

Fuscospora solandri (Black Beech) is a distinctive New Zealand native evergreen tree valued for its fine foliage, dense canopy, and strong natural...

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Acer palmatum 'Shaina'

Acer palmatum 'Shaina' is a compact Japanese maple prized for its intense crimson red foliage and naturally tidy upright habit. This deciduous tree...

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A Kunzea robusta shrub with masses of pretty, white flowers.
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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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Acer 'Mikawa Yatsubusa' specimen tree with lush, green foliage.
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Acer palmatum 'Mikawa Yatsubusa' is a sought-after dwarf Japanese Maple prized for its dense, layered foliage and elegant form. Its small...

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Acer palmatum 'Fireglow' bright red foliage.
Acer 'Fireglow'

Acer 'Fireglow' is a striking Japanese maple prized for its brilliant deep red foliage that holds colour exceptionally well throughout the season...

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Malus floribunda

Malus floribunda, commonly known as the Japanese Crabapple, is a beautiful deciduous ornamental tree renowned for its profusion of pink buds that...

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Pseudopanax crassifolius growing in a garden with dark green foliage.
Pseudopanax crassifolius (Lancewood)

Pseudopanax crassifolius, commonly known as Lancewood or Horoeka, is a distinctive New Zealand native tree renowned for its dramatic transformation...

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A Parrotia persica (Persian Ironwood) specimen tree with colourful, orange foliage in autumn.
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Parrotia persica, commonly known as the Persian Ironwood Tree, is a small tree grown for its fantastic autumn colours. The foliage emerges light...

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An Acer 'Katsura' specimen tree with orange and green foliage.
Acer 'Katsura'

Acer 'Katsura' is a stunning Japanese maple known for its brilliant apricot orange spring foliage that matures to fresh green before turning vibrant...

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A Michelia 'Fairy Cream' hedge with masses of cream-white flowers and glossy, green foliage.
Michelia 'Fairy Cream'

Michelia 'Fairy Cream' grows as a small and shapely tree carrying glossy, green leaves which are attractive in their own right. Velvet buds are borne...

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Pittosporum 'Small Ball'

Pittosporum 'Small Ball' is a compact evergreen shrub prized for its naturally rounded growth habit, dense foliage, and tidy appearance. This dwarf...

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Ulmus 'Lobel' (Dutch Elm Tree)

Ulmus 'Lobel' is a refined deciduous elm valued for its narrow upright form, dense green foliage, and excellent suitability as an avenue or specimen...

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Magnolia liliiflora 'Nigra'

Magnolia liliiflora 'Nigra' is a striking deciduous shrub or small tree prized for its richly coloured spring flowers and compact garden form. The...

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Hedycarya arborea tree with lush green foliage.
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Hedycarya arborea, commonly known as Pigeonwood, is a New Zealand native tree valued for its attractive foliage and wildlife benefits. This evergreen...

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Acer 'Shidava Gold' small tree with lush, green and yellow foliage.
Acer 'Shidava Gold'

Acer 'Shidava Gold' is a bright and elegant Japanese maple valued for its golden yellow foliage that brings light and contrast to garden spaces. This...

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Tree Fertiliser

Using tree fertiliser results in plants having better quality foliage, more profuse flowering, stronger stems, and a much healthier and brighter...

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Cedrela sinensis 'Flamingo' (Toon Tree)

Cedrela sinensis 'Flamingo' (Toon Tree) is a spectacular deciduous tree prized for its striking flushes of vibrant pink foliage that mature through...

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Melia azedarach tree.
Melia azedarach (Bead Tree)

Melia azedarach (Bead Tree, White Cedar) is a graceful deciduous tree valued for its attractive fern like foliage, fragrant clusters of lilac...

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Aristotelia serrata (Wineberry) tree with masses of black berries.
Aristotelia serrata (Wineberry)

Aristotelia serrata, commonly known as Wineberry or Makomako, is a fast-growing, deciduous native tree of New Zealand. It features serrated green...

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Azara microphylla

Azara microphylla (Vanilla Tree) is a graceful evergreen tree admired for its small glossy leaves and wonderfully fragrant yellow flowers. In spring...

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PB28 Planter Bags (Christmas Tree Bag)

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Sophora microphylla (Small Leaved Kōwhai)

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Cornus, Liquidambar, and Prunus, or related Categories - Planter Bags, Deciduous Trees, and Evergreen Trees.

Search small kowhai tree

Why Choose a Small Kowhai Tree?

The small kowhai tree is prized for its compact growth and stunning, nectar-rich blossoms. Ideal for medium to small gardens, these varieties generally reach heights of 2–6 metres, making them much more versatile than the larger kōwhai species. Their iconic yellow blooms provide a vital food source for native birds like tūī and bellbird, while their fine foliage and graceful branches suit both formal and informal landscaping.

Best Small Kowhai Tree Varieties for New Zealand Gardens

If you’re searching for the right small kowhai tree but not sure where to start, here are a few standout options:

Growing and Caring for Small Kowhai Trees

Small kowhai trees are well-suited to a wide range of New Zealand climates. For best results, plant in full sun to encourage abundant flowering. Kowhai tolerate coastal winds and light frost once established but appreciate well-drained, fertile soils. Mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds, and water young plants during dry periods. Avoid excessive fertiliser, as kōwhai fix their own nitrogen from the air and minimal feeding is needed.

With their enchanting beauty and easy-care nature, small kowhai trees are a brilliant investment in your garden’s biodiversity and year-round appeal. Explore our collection, including Sophora microphylla (Small Leaved Kōwhai), Sophora molloyi (Cook Strait Kowhai), Sophora longicarinata (Limestone Kowhai), Sophora 'Goldie's Mantle', and Sophora chathamica, to find the perfect small kowhai tree for your 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.

Illustration of plant leaves.
Corokia 'Bronze King' and Stromanthe 'Triostar' have stood the test of time, but new generations of gardeners are discovering Viburnum 'Eve Price', Helipterum 'Paper Cascade', and Abelia grandiflora.
–The Plant Company

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