Plants for extremely exposed sites


All tolerate sun except where indicated.

[*] = Good where soil erosion is a problem.

(a) = Muehlenbeckia australis can be an invasive weed in some areas.

Trees and medium tall shrubs
Botanical name Common name
Aloe arborescens, A. thraskii Aloes
Banksia integrifolia Coast banksia
Pittosporum crassifolium Karo *
Myoporum laetum Ngaio *
Lagunaria patersonii Norfolk Island hibiscus
Olearia traversii, also O. paniculata Chatham Island akeake
Metrosideros excelsa*, M. kermadecensis* and hybrids such as 'Spring Fire' and 'Vibrance' Pohutukawa *
Coprosma repens* and cultivars Taupata *
Tamarix spp. Tamarisk
Low shrubs, groundcovers and perennials
Arctotis, Gazania, Osteospermum and Dimorphotheca cultivars African daisies *
Westringia fruticosa Australian rosemary
Brachyglottis 'Sunshine' (previously sold as Senecio greyi)
(Phormium tenax and P. cookianum) Flax *
Drosanthemum and Lampranthus spp. and Disphyma australe Ice plants *
Beschorneria yuccoides Mexican lily *
Muehlenbeckia spp.* (a)
Silene uniflora Sea campion
Crambe maritima Sea kale
Coprosma acerosa, also C. prostrata, C. kirkii and C. 'Hawera' Sand coprosma *
Agave, Aeonium, Echeveria and Sempervivum spp. Succulents (see picture)

Plants for less exposed sites


These plants also do well if given a little shelter.

Botanical name Common name
Trees and medium-tall shrubs
Cordyline australis Cabbage tree
Pseudopanax lessonii Five-finger
P. crassifolius Lancewood
Corynocarpus laevigatus Karaka
Griselinia lucida, also G. littoralis Kapuka
Echium candicans (see picture) Pride of Madeira
Meryta sinclairii Puka
Eucalyptus ficifolia Scarlet gum
Low shrubs, groundcovers and perennials
Astelia chathamica Astelias
Clivia (requires shade)
Russelia equisetiformis Coral plant
Euryops pectinatus, E. virgineus
Lavandula dentata French lavender
Clianthus puniceus Kaka beak, C. 'Kaka King'
Convolvulus sabatius Moroccan glory vine
C. cneorum Bush morning glory
Choisya ternata Mexican orange blossom
Leucospermum spp. Pincushion flower
Xeronema callistemon (see picture) Poor Knights lily
Arthropodium cirratum Rengarenga
Cistus spp. Rock rose
Rosmarinus officinalis Rosemary
Bulbs
Freesia, ixia, tritonia, nerine and sparaxis

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