The Complete Plant Guide for Northland & Far North Gardens

Written By Sara Meij

Climate Zone 9-10: Subtropical Paradise

Northland's subtropical climate offers New Zealand's longest growing season and the opportunity to grow the widest range of plants in the country. From Kaitaia to Whangarei, gardeners can embrace both exotic and native species that simply won't survive further south.

Understanding Your Northland Climate

Key Characteristics:

  • Mild winters (rarely below 5°C)

  • Warm, humid summers (25-28°C)

  • High rainfall (1000-1600mm annually)

  • Sea breezes moderate extreme temperatures

  • Salt-tolerant plants essential near coast

  • Extended growing season (year-round for many crops)

Unique Challenges:

  • High humidity can encourage fungal diseases

  • Strong coastal winds require windbreak planning

  • Summer drought periods despite high annual rainfall

  • Salt spray affects coastal properties

Native Plants for Northland Gardens

Canopy Trees (Large Specimens)

Puriri (Vitex lucens)

  • Stunning pink flowers attract tui and bellbirds

  • Slow-growing but extremely long-lived

  • Ideal for large properties and wildlife gardens

  • Best in sheltered positions when young

Pohutukawa (Metrosideros excelsa)

  • New Zealand's Christmas tree with iconic red flowers

  • Excellent salt tolerance for coastal gardens

  • Provides substantial shade and windbreak

  • Plant as feature tree or screening

Kauri (Agathis australis)

  • Majestic native conifer for spacious gardens

  • Extremely slow-growing but magnificent when mature

  • Requires excellent drainage and protection when young

  • Cultural significance and conservation value

Taraire (Beilschmiedia tarairi)

  • Dense evergreen canopy tree

  • Purple berries attract native birds

  • Excellent for forest garden understory

  • Prefers sheltered, moist conditions

Medium Trees & Large Shrubs

Nikau Palm (Rhopalostylis sapida)

  • New Zealand's only native palm

  • Creates tropical atmosphere in sheltered gardens

  • Slow-growing but worth the wait

  • Needs protection from strong winds

Karaka (Corynocarpus laevigatus)

  • Glossy evergreen foliage

  • Orange berries (toxic to humans, food for birds)

  • Excellent coastal tolerance

  • Good screening and shelter tree

Rewarewa (Knightia excelsa)

  • Honeysuckle-scented flowers

  • Attracts native birds and beneficial insects

  • Beautiful autumn color in cooler spots

  • Good for mixed native hedging

Lacebark (Hoheria populnea)

  • Masses of white flowers in late summer

  • Fast-growing and relatively short-lived

  • Excellent pioneer species for new gardens

  • Self-seeds readily in suitable conditions

Shrubs & Small Trees

Manuka (Leptospermum scoparium)

  • Essential for wildlife and honey production

  • White or pink flowers depending on variety

  • Extremely hardy and drought-tolerant once established

  • Ideal for difficult sites and erosion control

Kanuka (Kunzea ericoides)

  • Fast-growing pioneer shrub

  • Excellent for establishing shelter quickly

  • White bottlebrush flowers attract beneficial insects

  • Good nurse plant for slower-growing species

Kawakawa (Piper excelsum)

  • Heart-shaped leaves with traditional medicinal uses

  • Orange berries attract native birds

  • Tolerates shade and challenging conditions

  • Important culturally and ecologically

Coprosma Species

  • Mirror plant (C. repens) excellent for coastal hedging

  • Karamu (C. robusta) provides bird food and shelter

  • Various sizes from groundcovers to small trees

  • Many species have colorful berries

Coastal Specialists

Pingao (Ficinia spiralis)

  • Golden-colored native sedge

  • Essential for dune stabilization

  • Excellent architectural plant for coastal gardens

  • Requires well-drained sandy soil

Spinifex (Spinifex sericeus)

  • Silvery grass that binds coastal sands

  • Forms attractive tussocks and spreading mats

  • Critical for coastal erosion control

  • Tolerates salt spray and sandy soils

Taupata (Coprosma repens)

  • Glossy-leaved coastal shrub

  • Excellent for windbreaks and hedging

  • Tolerates extreme coastal conditions

  • Fast-growing and easily shaped

Pohuehue (Muehlenbeckia complexa)

  • Native wire vine with tiny leaves

  • Excellent groundcover or climbing plant

  • Tolerates coastal conditions and poor soils

  • Provides nesting sites for small birds

Exotic Plants That Thrive in Northland

Tropical & Subtropical Trees

Avocado (Persea americana)

  • Multiple varieties suit Northland's climate

  • Hass, Reed, and Fuerte perform well

  • Requires wind protection and good drainage

  • Plant multiple varieties for better fruit set

Feijoa (Acca sellowiana)

  • Aromatic fruit and edible flowers

  • Extremely hardy once established

  • Good hedge plant with attractive silver foliage

  • Self-fertile varieties available

Macadamia Nuts

  • Growing commercial crop in Northland

  • Long-term investment with excellent returns

  • Requires patience (7-10 years to full production)

  • Choose grafted varieties for reliable crops

Citrus Trees

  • Lemons, limes, oranges, and mandarins all thrive

  • Protect from wind and provide good drainage

  • Meyer lemons particularly successful

  • Consider dwarf varieties for smaller gardens

Flowering Trees & Shrubs

Frangipani (Plumeria species)

  • Iconic tropical fragrance and flowers

  • Deciduous in cooler winters

  • Multiple flower colors available

  • Excellent in pots for mobility

Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis)

  • Year-round flowering in frost-free areas

  • Hundreds of varieties and colors

  • Good hedge or specimen plant

  • Regular feeding promotes continuous blooming

Bougainvillea

  • Spectacular color display for most of the year

  • Excellent for covering fences and structures

  • Thorny stems provide security barrier

  • Drought-tolerant once established

Oleander (Nerium oleander)

  • Extremely hardy flowering shrub

  • Blooms continuously in warm weather

  • Excellent windbreak and screening plant

  • All parts toxic - keep away from children and pets

Palms & Architectural Plants

Phoenix Palms

  • Canary Island Date Palm creates an instant tropical feel

  • Mediterranean fan palms suit smaller spaces

  • All provide excellent architectural structure

  • Wind-resistant once established

Cordyline australis (Cabbage Tree)

  • Native New Zealand but performs exceptionally in Northland

  • Varieties with colored leaves available

  • Excellent structural plant

  • Very drought tolerant

Cycads

  • Ancient plants that thrive in Northland's climate

  • Extremely slow-growing but long-lived

  • Various sizes from small to tree-sized

  • Excellent specimen plants for subtropical gardens

Vegetable Gardening in Northland

Year-Round Growing Opportunities

Summer Vegetables (Oct-Mar):

  • Tomatoes (all varieties thrive)

  • Capsicums and chilli peppers

  • Eggplant and okra

  • Tropical fruits like passionfruit

Winter Vegetables (Apr-Sep):

  • Brassicas (broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage)

  • Asian greens (bok choy, mizuna, tatsoi)

  • Root vegetables (carrots, parsnips, beetroot)

  • Herbs (parsley, coriander, mint)

Tropical Possibilities:

  • Dragonfruit (with support structures)

  • Bananas in sheltered positions

  • Sweet potato as perennial crop

  • Lemongrass and galangal

Market Garden Crops

Kumara (Sweet Potato)

  • Traditional Maori crop that originated in Northland

  • Plant tubers in spring after soil warms

  • Harvest in autumn before first frost

  • Store properly for winter eating

Tropical Root Vegetables

  • Taro and yacon perform well

  • Require consistent moisture during growing season

  • Harvest carefully to avoid damage

  • Traditional and modern varieties available

Garden Design Considerations for Northland

Shelter and Windbreaks

Essential Elements:

  • Coastal winds can be destructive - plan windbreaks first

  • Use fast-growing natives like kanuka for quick shelter

  • Create multiple shelter layers for best protection

  • Consider salt tolerance for coastal properties

Recommended Windbreak Plants:

  • Griselinia littoralis (fast-growing, dense)

  • Metrosideros species (excellent coastal tolerance)

  • Coprosma robusta (quick establishment, bird food)

  • Olearia species (salt-tolerant, flowering)

Water Management

Drought Preparation:

  • Despite high rainfall, summer droughts are common

  • Install water storage systems during winter

  • Choose drought-tolerant plants for low-maintenance areas

  • Group plants with similar water needs

Drainage Solutions:

  • Clay soils common in many areas require improvement

  • Add organic matter and coarse materials

  • Consider raised beds for vegetables

  • Plant appropriate species for wet areas

Pest and Disease Management

Common Issues:

  • High humidity encourages fungal diseases

  • Good air circulation essential in plant placement

  • Choose disease-resistant varieties when possible

  • Integrated pest management works best

Beneficial Plantings:

  • Native plants attract beneficial insects

  • Companion planting reduces pest pressure

  • Aromatic herbs deter many garden pests

  • Encourage bird habitat for natural pest control

Seasonal Planting Schedule for Northland

Spring (August - November)

August: Start summer crops indoors, plant cool-season vegetables
September: Main planting of summer vegetables and annual flowers
October: Plant heat-loving crops, establish new lawns
November: Last chance for summer crops, plant tropical species

Summer (December - March)

December: Successive plantings of quick crops, establish irrigation
January: Harvest and preserve, plant autumn crops
February: Continue autumn planting, prepare for cooler weather
March: Plant brassicas and winter vegetables

Autumn (April - June)

April: Major planting period for trees and shrubs
May: Plant garlic, winter herbs, and cool-season crops
June: Continue winter planting, prepare summer garden areas

Winter (July - August)

July: Limited planting, focus on planning and soil improvement
August: Begin spring preparations, start seeds indoors

Maintenance Tips for Northland Gardens

Pruning and Trimming

  • Prune tropical plants after flowering

  • Shape hedges regularly for dense growth

  • Remove storm-damaged branches promptly

  • Winter pruning for deciduous trees

Fertilising Schedule

  • Organic matter addition year-round

  • Citrus feeding every 6-8 weeks during growing season

  • Native plants typically need minimal feeding

  • Compost application in spring and autumn

Weed Management

  • Aggressive weeds thrive in Northland's climate

  • Mulching essential for weed suppression

  • Hand weeding most effective for established gardens

  • Preventive measures better than reactive control

Creating Your Northland Garden Paradise

Northland's unique climate allows gardeners to create truly spectacular gardens that blend native New Zealand species with carefully chosen exotics. The key to success lies in understanding your specific microclimate, planning for wind protection, and choosing plants that will thrive rather than merely survive.

Start with shelter and infrastructure, then build your garden layer by layer. Native plants provide the backbone for wildlife habitat and low-maintenance beauty, while selected exotics can add tropical flair and extended seasons of interest.

Remember that Northland gardens are investments in both beauty and biodiversity. Every native plant you choose supports local ecosystems, while thoughtful exotic selections can provide food, fragrance, and year-round garden pleasure.

With proper planning and plant selection, your Northland garden can be productive, beautiful, and sustainable for generations to come.

Sara Meij
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