Torbay Dazzler is a stunning variegated form of an already spectacular species, the Cabbage Palm and often just called by their genus name, Cordylines, are native to various parts of the South Pacific but this species in particular is indigenous to the New Zealand islands. If winter temperatures are mild enough for many consecutive years, the Cordyline will form a stunning trunk and turn into a small quasi palm tree. After a severe freeze they can be burnt back but will reemerge from the roots.

Latin Name: Cordyline australis
Site and Soil: A variety of soils, so long as they’re well draining in full to part sun
Hardiness: Hardy to about 10ºF.
Leaf Color: Variegated greens, creams and yellows
Leaf Size: Up to 2′ long or more
Size at Maturity: 10-12 ft. in height by 3-6′ wide
Pests & Diseases: None that we have observed
USDA Zone: 8a

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A very unique and unusual shrub from New Zealand, the Dartonii Daisy Bush has thin, incredibly narrow leaves with silvery undersides giving it a very unique texture. A tricky one to photograph but a very easy to grow shrub that adds excellent texture to the garden, especially when planted with larger leafed plants. Grows to about 10-12 feet tall eventually but can easily be cut back hard in spring if you want to keep it smaller. Small little white daisy flowers appear below the leaves in early summer.

Latin Name: Olearia lineata ‘Dartonii’ 
Site and Soil: Tolerant of many soil conditions so long as they are well draining
Hardiness: 5º Fahrenheit
Size at Maturity: 8-12′ x 6′
Bloom Time: Summer
Pests & Diseases: None
USDA Zone: 8

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A lovely perennial sub-shrub from down under that’s closely related to hebes. Digger’s Speedwell is often mistaken as a eucalyptus when it’s not in flower due to its beautiful perfoliate (leaves connect around the stem) foliage and bluish tint. In summer it throws up its dainty lilac colored blossoms that last for many weeks. Easy in a variety of soils in full sun.

Latin Name: Parahebe perfoliata
Site and Soil: Tolerant of many soil conditions so long as they are well draining
Hardiness: 5º Fahrenheit
Size at Maturity: 2′ x 3′
Bloom Time: Summer
Pests & Diseases: None
USDA Zone: 7b

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A really “greyt” shrub from, you guessed it, New Zealand. This hybrid Olearia has a little bit of everything going for it: beautiful ever-grey foliage with golden undersides, abundant white flowers that smell of vanilla, and excellent drought tolerance! A great choice for an informal screen or as a well-pruned specimen.

Latin Name: Olearia x haastii
Site and Soil: Tolerant of many soil conditions so long as they are well draining
Hardiness: 5º Fahrenheit
Size at Maturity: 6′ x 4′
Bloom Time: Summer
Pests & Diseases: None
USDA Zone: 8

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A very interesting and unique shrub from the South Island of New Zealand, it truly looks like coral with its imbricate silvery green leaves that are often described as whipcords. Forms a nice silvery cushion but can take a while to do so. Fairly drought tolerant but we’ve lost some established plants when they were given no water all summer in a particularly gritty soil.

Latin Name: Ozothamnus coralloides
Site and Soil: Full to mostly full sun, tolerant of many soil conditions so long as they are well draining
Hardiness: 0º Fahrenheit
Size at Maturity: 1′ x 2-3′
Bloom Time: Summer
Pests & Diseases: None
USDA Zone: 7a

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A bizarre and beautiful rarity from New Zealand, the Toothed Lancewood (Pseudopanax ferox) features strangely lizard-esque purplish brown juvenile foliage that grow at a downward angle from the central stem. They grow at snail’s pace and are mostly grown as containerized specimens here in the Northwest, as they are not fully cold hardy to all of our winters here. But folks on the Oregon Coast or down the coast of California should have good luck planting these in ground and letting them grow up to a full sized tree. Eventually the foliage changes from the purplish-brown elongated juvenile foliage to a wider green foliage, but most of us only ever get to see them in their juvenile form which is just fine because they are one of the oddest woody plants you’ll ever come across.

*Expect the plants you receive to be fairly tiny. They’re over a year old but grow incredibly slowly!*

Latin Name: Pseudopanax ferox
Site and Soil: Tolerant of many soil conditions so long as they are well draining
Hardiness: 15-20º Fahrenheit
Size at Maturity: 15-20′ tall eventually by about only 4-5′ wide on a skinny central trunk
Bloom Time: Summer
Pests & Diseases: None
USDA Zone: 8b

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A colorful and upright selection, Evening Glow has striking foliage of reds and pinks streaked with deep purples. An excellent focal point or easy addition for bold color and texture. Not the most giant New Zealand flax, grows 3-4′ tall and quite upright.

Latin Name: Phormium tenax ‘Evening Glow’
Site and Soil: Tolerant of many soil conditions so long as they are well draining
Hardiness: 15º Fahrenheit
Size at Maturity: 3-4′ x 4′
Bloom Time: Summer
Pests & Diseases: None
USDA Zone: 8

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A plant that every Jimi Hendrix fan should have in their garden! The Purple New Zealand Burr’s foliage is so vividly purple you might question what was in that sugar cube you put in your coffee this morning. Mulch annually with a bit of compost and keep well watered in the summer and you will have yourself a ground cover as bold as love!

Latin Name: Acaena inermis ‘Purpurea’
Site and Soil: Tolerant of many soil conditions so long as they are well draining
Hardiness: 0º Fahrenheit
Size at Maturity: 3″ x 3′
Bloom Time: Spring
Pests & Diseases: None
USDA Zone: 7

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One of the most unique ground covers for anywhere that you need an extra little pop of color. The cool silvery blue of the Blue Haze New Zealand Burr contrasts perfectly with darker foliage and other blue foliaged plants. Spreads to form a 3′ x 3′ mat rather quickly and enjoys some summer water. Roll out the blue carpet!

Latin Name: Acaena saccaticupula ‘Blue Haze’
Site and Soil: Tolerant of many soil conditions so long as they are well draining
Hardiness: 0º Fahrenheit
Size at Maturity: 6″ x 3′
Bloom Time: Spring
Pests & Diseases: None
USDA Zone: 7

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