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Ideas for a Native New Zealand Bush Garden

A concept plan, planting plan, and plant list for a New Zealand North Island bush garden using mostly native plants. This planting plan is AI generated so it is included just to provide some ideas and start a conversation about what may be useful in your garden project.

Some of the plants maybe frost sensitive and the list does not take into account soil and sun/shade level suitability

Landscape Concept Plan:

Design Elements:

  • Entry Pathway: A meandering gravel path leading visitors into the garden.
  • Clearing: A central clearing for gatherings and relaxation.
  • Water Feature: A small natural-looking pond or stream.
  • Planting Beds: Various planting beds arranged around the clearing and along the pathway.
  • Seating Area: Rustic wooden benches or stone seating scattered throughout the garden.
  • Bird Feeders and Baths: Placed strategically to attract native birds.
  • Shade Trees: Larger native trees providing shade and habitat.
  • Rock Features: Natural rock formations or strategically placed rocks for visual interest.

Planting Plan:

Planting Beds:

  1. Understory Shrubs and Ground Covers:
  • Kahikatea (Dacrycarpus dacrydioides)
  • Coprosma repens (Taupata)
  • Pseudopanax crassifolius (Lancewood)
  • Leptospermum scoparium (Manuka)
  • Astelia banksii (Bush Flax)
  • Carex species (Sedges)
  1. Ferns and Palms:
  • Cyathea dealbata (Silver Fern)
  • Dicksonia squarrosa (Wheki)
  • Blechnum discolor (Kiokio)
  • Cordyline australis (Cabbage Tree)
  • Nikau Palm (Rhopalostylis sapida)
  1. Ground Covers and Flowering Plants:
  • Hebe species (e.g., Hebe stricta, Hebe parviflora)
  • Pimelea prostrata (Dwarf Pimelea)
  • Corokia cotoneaster (Korokio)
  • Carmichaelia species (Native Broom)
  • Libertia grandiflora (Native Iris)
  1. Climbers and Vines:
  • Parsonsia heterophylla (Kaihua)
  • Muehlenbeckia complexa (Pohuehue)
  • Clematis paniculata (Puawhananga)

Plant List:

  1. Kahikatea (Dacrycarpus dacrydioides)
  2. Coprosma repens (Taupata)
  3. Pseudopanax crassifolius (Lancewood)
  4. Leptospermum scoparium (Manuka)
  5. Astelia banksii (Bush Flax)
  6. Carex species (Sedges)
  7. Cyathea dealbata (Silver Fern)
  8. Dicksonia squarrosa (Wheki)
  9. Blechnum discolor (Kiokio)
  10. Cordyline australis (Cabbage Tree)
  11. Rhopalostylis sapida (Nikau Palm)
  12. Hebe species
  13. Pimelea prostrata (Dwarf Pimelea)
  14. Corokia cotoneaster (Korokio)
  15. Carmichaelia species (Native Broom)
  16. Libertia grandiflora (Native Iris)
  17. Parsonsia heterophylla (Kaihua)
  18. Muehlenbeckia complexa (Pohuehue)
  19. Clematis paniculata (Puawhananga)

This landscape concept plan aims to create a naturalistic and biodiverse bush garden using predominantly native plants, providing habitat for local wildlife and creating a peaceful retreat for visitors to enjoy.