Coastal Trees
- Gleditsia tricanthos ‘Inermis’, commonly known as Thornless Honey Locust, is a smart, spreading deciduous tree that makes an excellent shade choice. Its graceful form adds structure and beauty to any landscape. During summer, the tree is adorned with bright-green, fine-textured leaves. As autumn arrives, these leaves transition to a warm yellow, creating seasonal interest and vibrant contrast. Originating from the United States, ‘Inermis’ thrives in diverse soil conditions. It tolerates compacted, clay, poor-quality, and even drought-prone soils, making it highly adaptable. Furthermore, this tree withstands heat, salt, and harsh urban environments. As an added benefit, it also fixes nitrogen, improving soil health and resilience. Use Thornless Honey Locust as a specimen in a lawn, a recreational shade tree, or a reliable street tree. It grows to approximately 10m tall and 8m wide, yet it can be pruned to suit shape and height. Closely resembling Gleditsia ‘Shademaster’, this thornless variety offers versatility, durability, and elegance for modern landscapes.
- Gleditsia tricanthos ‘Ruby Lace’, also known as Honey Locust, is a graceful deciduous tree. It forms a small, round-headed canopy with elegantly spreading, arching branches that add charm to any garden. In summer, finely divided foliage emerges in a striking purple-red. As the season shifts, the leaves intensify to bronze-red before falling in autumn, creating vibrant seasonal colour. Originating from the United States, ‘Ruby Lace’ adapts well to diverse soil conditions. It tolerates compacted, clay, poor-quality, and drought-prone soils, making it highly resilient. Moreover, this tree withstands heat, salt, and harsh urban environments. As an added benefit, it fixes nitrogen, which improves soil health and supports long-term growth. With its umbrella-shaped crown, ‘Ruby Lace’ makes an excellent shade tree for smaller gardens. Growing to approximately 5m tall and 4m wide, it offers beauty and practicality in compact spaces.
- A bold and fast-growing native of New Zealand, Griselinia littoralis 'Broadway Mint' or Kapuka, is a robust shrub or small tree—an impressive variety of littoralis. Its light mint-green leaves are glossy with a wavy edge that adds texture and strength to any landscape. Moreover, this versatile plant is easily clipped into a tidy smaller garden hedge or, if preferred, allowed to grow into a larger, structured screen. Not only does it thrive in coastal conditions, but it also stands up well to strong winds and frosts—making it a reliable choice for exposed sites. For best results, ensure good drainage. Ultimately, it reaches approximately 3.0 x 3.0 meters in size, offering both presence and practicality. Interestingly, the Latin word littoralis translates to “growing by the sea,” a fitting nod to its coastal resilience.
- Griselinia lucida, also known as Akapuka, is a robust New Zealand native. Whether grown as a shrub or shaped into a small, rounded tree, it features thick, glossy lime-green foliage with a bold, tropical feel. Thanks to its compact form, it’s easily trimmed into a neat hedge or left to fill out as a natural screen. Whether facing wind or salt spray, this plant stands strong. It thrives in both full sun and shaded areas, making it a reliable option for coastal gardens or sheltered urban spaces. However, for best results, ensure good drainage. Reaching around 3 metres tall by 2 metres wide, it’s perfect for compact areas needing bold structure and lush greenery.
- Howea forsteriana, commonly known as the Kentia Palm, is an elegant, arching palm with shiny green fronds. Because of their feather-like appearance, these fronds create a graceful silhouette, making this palm one of the most popular choices for both indoor and outdoor settings. As the fronds naturally shed, the slender trunk becomes beautifully ringed. Over time, this adds visual texture and enhances its tropical appeal. Native to Lord Howe Island, it thrives in a range of climates between Australia and New Zealand. Thanks to its slow and steady growth, the Kentia Palm is perfect as a standout feature in tropical gardens. Moreover, it tolerates very low light, coastal exposure, and windy conditions, making it incredibly versatile. When young, it’s important to keep the palm moist and partly shaded. Eventually, it reaches around 5 metres in 10 years and can grow beyond 10 metres at full maturity, offering lasting impact with minimal fuss
- Ilex ‘Largo’ Holly is a slower-growing, upright shrub with dense, bushy form. Its dark green oval leaves, developed in New Zealand, stand out because they have smooth edges, unlike the classic Holly. Moreover, this versatile shrub thrives in moist, well-drained soil and grows happily in full sun or partial shade. It performs beautifully as a border or hedge, and thanks to its compact size, it fits perfectly into smaller gardens. In addition, Ilex ‘Largo’ adapts well to coastal environments and can be shaped into elegant topiary. At maturity, it reaches approximately 3.5m high and 2.5m wide, making it both practical and decorative.
- Juniperus chinensis ‘Kaizuka’, also known as Hollywood Juniper, is a striking evergreen renowned for its sculptural form. Its branches spiral upward in a distinctly twisting motion, adorned with vivid bright green foliage that adds year-round interest. Thanks to its versatility, this variety can be left to grow naturally or trimmed into soft, rounded pillows—creating the illusion of floating clouds in the landscape. Moreover, it tolerates drought, wind, and coastal conditions, making it a resilient and adaptable choice. As a result, it serves as a unique focal point in any garden setting. With moderately fast growth and parentage rooted in China and Japan, it brings both elegance and heritage to outdoor spaces. Importantly, it requires good drainage to thrive.
- Knightia excelsa, commonly known as Rewarewa, is a striking evergreen native to New Zealand. It forms a slender, erect, and tapering tree with long, green serrated leaves that adds texture and structure to the landscape. In spring, it produces very unusual tubular reddish-brown flowers with yellow tips that are highly attractive to native birds, adding both ecological value and seasonal interest. Because of its upright habit, Rewarewa is ideal for smaller gardens and narrow spaces. Additionally, it is well-suited to coastal gardens. While it tolerates clay soils, overly wet conditions should be avoided. Likewise, phosphate-based fertilizers are not recommended. Typically, it grows to approximately 7 x 3 metres, making it a manageable yet elegant choice for urban and rural settings alike. Interestingly, the Latin name Excelsa refers to its tall, strong stature.
- 7 x 3m
- Medium 5-10m
- Moderate
- Tree
- Columnar
- Evergreen
- New Zealand
- Liriodendron tulipifera fastigiata, Olea El Greco, Dacrydium Cupressinum, Acer Bowall, Poplar crow’s nest, Quercus robur fastigiata, Carpinus Betulus fastigiata, Dacrycarpus Dacrydoidies, Cupressus totem
- Green
- Reddish Brown
- No
- Prefers Moist well drained, Will tolerate clay, Not Wet
- Coastal, Wind
- Avenue, Small Garden, Bird Feeding, Narrow Spaces
- Kunzea ericoides, commonly known as Kanuka, is a tall, fast-growing New Zealand native tree with a broad, spreading crown. Because of its vigorous growth, it’s widely recognised and valued in native landscapes. Although its tiny needle-like leaves resemble Manuka, they feel noticeably softer to the touch. During summer, small white flowers blanket the tree, creating an almost snow-like effect that’s highly attractive to bees. Compared to Manuka, Kanuka grows larger and produces smaller seeds. Once established, it withstands windy coastal conditions and thrives in dry soils. Furthermore, it tolerates clay, though overly wet areas should be avoided. Extremely hardy, Kanuka reaches approximately 6 x 4 metres. As a result, it’s used extensively as a cover tree to protect newly planted native revegetation, offering both shelter and ecological support.
- Laurus nobilis – Bay Laurel is a compact evergreen tree native to the Mediterranean region. Its dark green, leathery leaves are highly aromatic and widely valued for culinary use. In spring, small yellow flowers appear, followed by clusters of dark berries that add seasonal interest. Bay Laurel can be easily trimmed to shape, making it ideal as a screen or hedge. Moreover, it performs beautifully as a standard or ornamental tree, offering versatility in both formal and informal garden designs. This tree prefers moist, well-drained soil, yet it will tolerate drier conditions once established. In addition, it withstands coastal and windy aspects, making it a resilient choice for challenging sites. Mature specimens typically reach around 5 metres high and 3 metres wide. Interestingly, the name nobilis reflects its impressive quality and noble reputation.
- Leptospermum nitidum ‘Coppersheen’ is a popular, fast-growing evergreen native to Tasmania. It is admired for its striking bronze-red foliage, red stems, and masses of white flowers that bloom profusely in summer, adding vibrant contrast to the garden. Easily trimmed, Coppersheen makes an excellent hedge or larger screen. When left to grow naturally, it reaches approximately 6 x 4 metres, forming a spreading tree with strong visual appeal. This hardy plant tolerates drought and coastal conditions. It grows best in full sun with moist, well-drained soil, making it a versatile choice for many landscapes.
- Leptospermum scoparium – Manuka or Tea Tree is a compact, native New Zealand tree known for its resilience and beauty. It’s ideal for gardens seeking year-round interest and biodiversity. Dark green foliage is narrow, lance-shaped and sharply pointed. From late autumn to early spring, the tree bursts into single or double flowers, offering a vibrant display and nectar for bees. These are followed by its berries, which resemble tiny hot cross buns. Manuka is also prized for its high-quality honey, making it a valuable addition to any landscape. Hardy and adaptable, Manuka tolerates clay soils and thrives in windy coastal areas or dry conditions once established. Avoid overly wet soils for best results. It typically grows to around 5 meters tall and 3 meters wide.
- Magnolia grandiflora ‘Ferruginea’ commonly known as the Southern Magnolia, takes its common name from its origins in the Southern United States. It forms a large, sturdy, and elegant evergreen tree with a rounded crown and year‑round foliage make it a striking specimen in any landscape. The glossy dark green leaves are distinguished by rust‑coloured felt beneath, creating a unique contrast. In spring, immense creamy white flowers appear, filling the garden with fragrance and beauty. This magnolia thrives in clay soils, although overly wet conditions should be avoided. Moreover, it tolerates coastal, windy, and colder climates, making it versatile for many sites. It grows to approximately 10m tall by 5m wide in 10 years. With time, it can attain a majestic 20m by 10m, offering shade, structure, and elegance as an avenue or specimen tree.
- Meryta sinclairii – Puka is a smaller evergreen tree native to New Zealand. Its upright, spreading branches hold huge, tropical-looking leaves that shine deep green. These handsome leaves can reach up to 50cm long and 20cm wide, creating a bold and lush display. From August to April, Puka produces inconspicuous white-green flowers. Shiny black fruits follow and remain year-round, attracting foraging birds anfd adding interest and contrast to the foliage. This tree thrives in warm, frost-free climates with moist, fertile, and well-drained soil. Moreover, it is highly tolerant of wind and salt, making it an excellent choice for coastal gardens. Growing to approximately 5 x 3 metres, Puka works beautifully as a stand-alone specimen. It also serves well as a filler at the back of a garden, providing structure and tropical appeal.
- Metrosideros collina ‘Springfire’ (Pacific Island Pohutukawa) is a vigorous fast growing tree from the Pacific Islands, admired for its striking grey‑green foliage. As one of the earliest Pohutukawa to bloom, it bursts into vibrant orange‑red flowers that signal the arrival of Spring. This hardy tree tolerates clay soils and, once established, withstands dry conditions. Furthermore, it thrives in coastal and windy sites, making it a versatile choice for challenging environments. Its compact size suits smaller gardens, while regular trimming allows easy shaping into a colourful hedge. However, protect young plants from frost to ensure healthy growth and long‑term success. Growing to approximately 4m tall by 3m wide, ‘Springfire’ offers manageable proportions and year‑round appeal, combining resilience with striking seasonal beauty.
- Metrosideros excelsa, commonly known as Pohutukawa, is one of New Zealand’s most iconic native trees. Excelsa stands out as the giant of the species, with a wide-spreading canopy and olive-green foliage. From December, it bursts into bright crimson, fluffy flowers. For this reason it’s often called the New Zealand Christmas tree. Flowers also attract bees, birds, and beneficial insects. Thriving in coastal environments, Pohutukawa trees are incredibly resilient. They endure poor soil, excess moisture, and even drought. Moreover, they withstand salt-laden winds and dry, exposed landscapes. Their thick roots often anchor into cliff faces, showcasing their strength and adaptability. Pohutukawa prefers moist, well-drained earth, but will grow in a wide range of soils. With proper space, this majestic tree can grow up to 15 metres tall and 10 metres wide, making it a stunning feature in larger gardens or coastal settings.
- Metrosideros excelsa 'Lighthouse' is a compact, upright evergreen tree discovered on Rangitoto Island in the Auckland region. Its green leaves feature striking silver-grey undersides, adding texture and contrast to the foliage. In December, vibrant red flowers burst into bloom, covering the entire tree. These blossoms not only dazzle but also produce seeds that attract and nourish small birds. Thriving in coastal environments, this Pohutukawa is impressively resilient. It tolerates poor soils, excess moisture, and even drought conditions with ease. Moreover, it withstands salt-laden winds and arid landscapes. While it adapts to clay and wet soils, it performs best in moist, well-drained earth. Ideal as an avenue or specimen tree, 'Lighthouse' grows to approximately 7 meters tall and 4 meters wide, making it a standout feature in any garden.
- Metrosideros excelsa ‘Long Bay’ – Pohutukawa is a striking evergreen New Zealand native tree. Originating from Long Bay on Auckland’s North Shore, it features fresh lime-green foliage on new growth, adding vibrant colour throughout the year. In late spring, ‘Long Bay’ bursts into brilliant red flowers that cover the tree in a spectacular display. These blooms are not only eye-catching but also provide an important food source for native birds, enhancing biodiversity. Moreover, Metrosideros excelsa flourish in coastal environments and show remarkable resilience. They endure poor soil conditions, excess moisture, and drought, while also withstanding harsh elements such as salt-laden winds and arid landscapes. Additionally, this variety tolerates clay and wet soils, though it thrives best in moist, well-drained earth. Growing to approximately 7 x 5 metres, it makes a beautiful coastal shade tree and a standout feature in any landscape.
- Metrosideros excelsa 'Maori Princess' is a refined cultivar of the iconic Pohutukawa, selected for its upright, pyramidal growth habit. Its foliage is a distinctive deep green, offering a lush contrast to its vivid red flowers. Because of its compact form and neat structure, this tree is ideal for smaller gardens or urban landscapes. In addition, its tidy shape makes it easy to maintain and visually appealing year-round. In late spring, 'Maori Princess' produces brilliant red flowers that cover the tree in a spectacular display. These blooms are not only eye-catching but also serve as a valuable food source for native birds. Consequently, this tree adds both beauty and biodiversity to your garden. Growing to around 7 x 5 metres, it can be clipped to shape, making it suitable as a screen, hedge, or standout specimen. Metrosideros varieties, including 'Maori Princess', thrive in coastal environments and are impressively resilient. They tolerate poor soil, excess moisture, and even drought. Moreover, they withstand salt-laden winds and arid conditions, making them perfect for exposed sites. While they can grow in clay and wet soils, they perform best in moist, well-drained earth. Therefore, this cultivar is not only tough but also an excellent shade tree for compact outdoor spaces.
- Metrosideros excelsa 'Moon Maiden' is a striking natural hybrid of the classic New Zealand Pohutukawa. Unlike its red-flowered relatives, it blooms with sulphur-yellow flowers in December, creating a luminous display. These dazzling blossoms also produce seeds that attract and nourish small native birds, adding life and movement to your garden. As an evergreen, 'Moon Maiden' forms a broad-headed canopy, offering excellent shade. Its thick green leaves feature silver-grey undersides, adding visual depth. Metrosideros thrive in coastal environments and are impressively resilient. They endure poor soil, excess moisture, and drought, making them ideal for exposed or challenging sites. In addition, they tolerate clay and wet soils—an advantage in areas with thin or heavy ground. However, they perform best in moist, well-drained earth. Growing to approximately 6 meters tall and 5 meters wide, 'Moon Maiden' makes a stunning specimen, avenue tree or shade tree
