Evergreen trees are a popular choice in NZ gardens for their continuous foliage and reliable structure. With their persistent leaves, evergreen trees offer year-round visual appeal, privacy, and shelter. They serve practical roles from windbreaks to enhancing landscaping beauty. Discover which evergreen trees suit your garden and get tips for selecting the best types for your outdoor space.
Acacia howittii, commonly known as the Sticky Wattle tree, is a fast-growing, small tree that is grown for its weeping growth habit. The branches...
Acacia melanoxylon, commonly known as the Acacia Blackwood Wattle or Australian Blackwood, is an evergreen tree that grows rapidly to 30 m tall and...
Agathis australis, commonly known as the Kauri tree, is a revered New Zealand native conifer renowned for its immense size and longevity. Reaching...
Agonis flexuosa 'After Dark' (Peppermint Tree) is a stunning evergreen tree renowned for its dramatic deep burgundy foliage that provides year round...
Alectryon excelsus, commonly known as the Titoki tree, is a handsome New Zealand native tree valued for its lush, glossy foliage and tidy, rounded...
Azara microphylla (Vanilla Tree) is a graceful evergreen tree admired for its small glossy leaves and wonderfully fragrant yellow flowers. In spring...
Beilschmiedia tarairi, commonly known as the Taraire tree, is a unique, NZ native tree. Its prominent feature is the masses of olive-like, purple...
Beilschmiedia tawa, commonly known as the Tawa Tree, is a tall and graceful evergreen native to New Zealand. It is admired for its straight trunk...
Callistemon viminalis (Weeping Bottlebrush) is a graceful evergreen tree admired for its pendulous branches and vibrant red bottlebrush flowers...
Carpodetus serratus, commonly known as the Putaputaweta Tree or Marble Leaf, is an attractive, NZ native tree with spreading branches that host...
Commonly known as the Moreton Bay Chestnut, this is an evergreen tree commonly grown as an indoor plant or added to subtropical gardens. It produces...
Chamaecytisus palmensis, commonly known as Tree Lucerne or Tagasaste, is a fast-growing, evergreen tree that produces mid-green foliage held on...
Cordyline albertii (Variegated Cabbage Tree) is a striking evergreen tree admired for its bold green leaves edged with creamy white variegation. This...
Cordyline australis, also known as the Cabbage Tree or tī kōuka, is a hardy and iconic New Zealand native. It features long, sword-like green leaves...
Cordyline 'Broadsword' is a smaller variety of the commonly known Cabbage Tree, and features broad, bright green leaves held on a small tree. It...
Cordyline stricta, commonly known as the Slender Palm Lily, features narrow, strap like, green leaves held on upright stems which gives a very lush...
Corynocarpus laevigatus, commonly known as Karaka, is a handsome, NZ native tree that features large and glossy, green leaves. The lush foliage is...
Dacrydium cupressinum, commonly known as Rimu or Red Pine, is an iconic and slow-growing tree. The juvenile form features drooping branches densely...
Daphniphyllum macropodum is a truly impressive evergreen tree. The young growth in spring resembles masses of miniature Cycads and has red hues...
Dysoxylum spectabile, commonly known as Kohekohe, is a majestic NZ native tree admired for its glossy dark green leaves and clusters of fragrant...
Eucalyptus 'Baby Blue' is a highly popular evergreen tree admired for its stunning silver blue foliage and strong ornamental appeal. The rounded...
Commonly known as Ulmo, this is a handsome, evergreen tree renowned for both its attractive foliage and pleasant flowers. The sweetly fragrant...
Eugenia uniflora, commonly known as the Surinam or Brazilian Cherry, is a small tree that features new foliage which emerges a bronze colour and ages...
Ficus hillii (Evergreen Fig, Hill's Fig) is a fast growing evergreen tree valued for its dense glossy green foliage and excellent screening ability...
Evergreen trees retain their foliage throughout all seasons, making them a staple in New Zealand gardens. Unlike deciduous trees that shed leaves annually, evergreen trees keep their greenery, providing visual interest and garden structure year-round. They’re ideal for creating privacy screens, windbreaks, or simply adding lush, vibrant colour to your landscape.
Popular varieties include native species, such as Griselinia littoralis, and ornamental options from around the globe. The persistent foliage and dense growth habits of many evergreen trees make them perfect for hedging and long-term landscaping projects.
When selecting evergreen trees for your garden, consider their mature size, growth rate, and tolerance to local conditions. For a robust privacy screen or hedge, Griselinia littoralis is a favourite among NZ gardeners. Its glossy leaves and upright form make it suitable for coastal and urban environments alike.
If you’re searching for striking foliage or unique flowers, species like Michelia gracipes offer fragrant blooms and lush green leaves. Evergreen trees vary in their light and soil preferences, so it’s important to match your selection to your site.
Evergreen trees bring year-round privacy, shelter, and aesthetic value to gardens. Their continuous cover protects against wind and noise, making outdoor spaces more comfortable. Many varieties are low maintenance, but regular watering and mulching help establish new plantings.
For expert planting advice and care tips, visit our resource for gardening tips and tricks. Planning a hedge? The evergreen Griselinia and others are reliable, but always consider the growth habit and spacing for healthy, long-lived plantings.
Evergreen trees are an investment in your garden’s beauty and functionality, offering a lush landscape regardless of the season.
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.

