Articles

Red foliage brings a bold, eye-catching contrast to the green-dominated palette of most planting schemes. In landscape design, red-leaved plants are used to create focal points, add seasonal interest, and signal transitions between spaces. In New Zealand, a diverse range of native and exotic species can deliver rich burgundy, copper, or crimson tones—whether through new […]

Managing erosion is a top priority for land managers, urban developers, and landscape specifiers alike. Whether it’s stabilising roadside batters, reinforcing swales, or protecting coastal and riparian edges, selecting the right plant species is crucial to long-term success. Among the most dependable options is Lomandra—a group of tough, clumping grasses native to Australia, with several […]

Creating landscapes that support pollinators is both an ecological responsibility and a design opportunity. Native NZ pollinators such as bees, hoverflies, butterflies, moths and even birds like tūī and korimako are always looking for nectar and pollen in urban areas, and specifiers may wish to integrate plantings that sustain them throughout the year. This article […]

Erosion is an entropic force on our urban landscapes. Unchecked, it causes our most valuable resource, our topsoil, to slowly disappear day after day, year after year. For specifiers seeking robust, low-maintenance planting solutions to stop erosion in its tracks and begin building soil health, Dianella offers a proven combination of soil-stabilising performance and aesthetic […]

When it comes to adding both beauty and functionality to a garden, Callistemon, or Bottlebrush, is a genus worth considering. These striking, hardy plants boast vibrant flower displays and adaptability, making them a popular choice for many gardeners. However, is this iconic Australian plant truly a good fit for your New Zealand garden? Below, we’ll […]

If you’ve been spending hours raking up garden clippings, bagging them, and hauling them to the compost bin or green waste collection, you might have had this thought before—can I just leave it all on the ground? The answer, quite simply, is yes! Leaving green waste where it falls, through a process called “chop and […]

Introduction Are you looking for the perfect mid-sized groundcover? Something a bit too dense to walk through, but something that won’t block the view. This article was written just for you, and will cover some of the most resilient, ornamental, and low-maintenance medium-sized strappy and shrubby groundcovers available in New Zealand. Little Jess™ Dianella for […]

At some point in your life, you may have come across Liriope and wondered, is Liriope a grass? Known for its clumps of strappy green leaves, it’s an easy mistake to make. However, Liriope is not a grass. Below, I’ll explain why it’s often confused with grasses, where it actually belongs in the plant world, and we’ll […]

One might wonder, is Dianella a grass? Despite its slender, grass-like leaves, Dianella is not a grass. Below, we’ll uncover where Dianella fits in the plant world, and some of the toughest varieties that just about anyone can keep alone. Little Jess™ Dianella caerulea ‘DCMP01’. http://ozbreed.co.nz/plant-ranges/strappy-leaf-plants/little-jess-dianella/ Blaze™ Dianella tasmanica ‘NPW2’. http://ozbreed.co.nz/plant-ranges/strappy-leaf-plants/blaze-dianella/ What is Dianella? Dianella, sometimes called “flax lily,” is a […]