Hebe townsonii is endemic to the North and South Islands. It is found in the North Island, in North Taranaki on Mount Messenger, and in the South Island in northern and western Nelson from Mount Burnett near Collingwood, to north Westland, in the rocky hills between little Whanganui and Mokohinui Rivers north of Westport, and southwards from there to the Fox River near Tiromoana. This very attractive and distinct species, usually found growing in limestone rock has a rather erect habit, but is mainly distinguished by the two lines of slit-shaped or oblique domatia that are clearly visible with the naked eye, occur on the leaves close to their edges. In the garden this open branched bushy shrub will grow 1-1.2m tall but can reach up to 2.5m tall, will grow in full sun or partial shade. Its white to pale mauve flowers that soon fade to white generally appear from mid September to early November, and are rather loosely arranged on the inflorescence which can give this species a more graceful appearance than others.

Brachyglottis lagopus, Mountain daisy, or Yellow rock daisy is a small flowering rosette herbaceous perennial native to New Zealand. It is found in the North Island from Taupo south and to South Canterbury or North Otago in the South Island, from coastal to low alpine area from near sea-level to 1500m asl, in open scrub, snow tussock, herbfields, rock crevices and grasslands. It prefers moist humus-rich soil perhaps a little gritty, in damp shady areas but will often succeed when self-sown into rock crevices. It is a variable species, with green leaves that can be hairy, and can vary in shape and size (often as big as 20 x 15cm) depending on the area. In older plants, the hairs become sparse on the top surface but the under surface is always covered in woolly tomentum. Its flowers are yellow and appear throughout the year (from September to June, but mostly December to April) on stalks that are up to 35cm high, followed by fluffy seed heads for wind dispersal.

Ranunculus lyallii, Mount Cook lily, Mountain buttercup, Mount Cook buttercup, or Giant buttercup

It is a native species of Ranunculus, endemic to New Zealand, and it grows in sub-alpine to alpine herbfields in the South Island mountains from Marlborough to Stewart Island from 700m to 1500m asl. It is well adapted to grow in infertile soils and it favours stream banks and damp locations in scrub and grasslands. Due to its ornamental flowers, the Mount Cook buttercup has also been cultivated. Plenty of water, good drainage and shade in hot areas are required and it is intolerant of high nutrient levels in soil. It is a herbaceous perennial plant growing to 60–100 cm tall, with a stout rhizome. The leaves are glossy dark green, peltate and have been recorded as big as 40cm across. The leaves have stomates on both sides. They have the ability to close or open these stomates depending on the conditions to stop them drying out. The flowers are 5–8 cm diameter, with 10–20 white petals and numerous yellow stamens; flowering is from late spring to early summer.

It is under threat by grazing animals such as introduced deer, chamois and Himalayan tahr, and is also susceptible to damage from walkers and trampers when wandering off formed tracks.

Rhopalostylis sapida or Nikau palm is endemic to the North Island, South Island, Chatham Islands, and Pitt Island. It is found throughout the North Island, and from Marlborough Sounds and Nelson south to Okarito in the west and Banks Peninsula in the east in the South Island. This very distinctive plant is primarily a species of coastal to lowland forest in the warmer parts of New Zealand, growing from sea-level to 230m asl.  It is a palm reaching 10m or more high with a light grey, closely ringed trunk (smooth and green between leaf scars on younger plants) with huge feather-shaped leaves (fronds) up to 3m long arising from a bulbous base of overlapping sheaths. This forms a crown shaped like a giant shuttlecock. Mature trees can produce flowers at anytime of the year that is followed by hard berries that can take a year to ripen to a bright red colour. In Christchurch you could grow it indoors, or if you were in a more coastal area, or on the hills on a frost free site.

Corokia Frosted Chocolate.

Corokia ‘Frosted Chocolate’ is a hardy cultivated native shrub that has a bushy habit and attractive coloured chocolate bronze foliage. This makes it a great plant for a back drop or as a hedge. It will grow to a height of 2- 3m if left but easily trimmed between 75cm and 2m. It has small starry, yellow flowers are mildly fragrant and are followed by small dark red berries.  The berries are great for attracting birds. Best if planted in full sun or part shade. It is very hardy and can handle strong winds, coastal conditions and dry soils once established. So if planted in a sheltered spot in good soil with adequate watering and fertilizer, it will absolutely thrive. It is a very easy care shrub, but with regular trims and fertilising it will produce a nice form and dense growth if used as a hedge. Perhaps water every now and then in dry spells.

Clematis paniculata, puawhananga or bush clematis is endemic to the North, South, Stewart Islands and Three Kings Islands. It is also naturalised on Chatham Island. It is found in coastal to montane regions in shrubland or tall forest, from sea-level to 1000 m a.s.l. A robust, vigorous high-climbing evergreen woody vine, with main stems woody up to 200 mm diameter at base, branching in upper ½ or less, can ascend to 10-12m or more. It has bark grey-brown, furrowed, branchlets stout, pliant, glabrescent. Leaves are dark green quite toothed leaves are glabrous above, and pale green beneath. The big white scented flowers that occur from July - November serve to distinguish it from all indigenous, naturalised and exotic species in New Zealand, except C. armandii which differs from C. paniculata by its much larger leaves with lanceolate lobed leaflets and smaller white flowers. Male flowers are are larger than the female ones (as shown in photographs). Fluffy white seed head appear from October - January. It prefers to be planted a permanently damp but not sopping soil or in shaded, deep, rich soil, in a situation where it can grow up into the sun. Its root stock should never be allowed to dry out. In humid climates prone to powdery mildew. The first recorded specimens were collected in 1773 by the Forsters when in Queen Charlotte Sound during Captain Cook's second voyage. It was introduced into cultivation in England as early as 1840.

Lomaria discolor, syn. Blechnum discolor, petipeti, piupiu or crown fern is endemic to the North, South, Stewart and Chatham Islands. It is commonly found throught these areas in drier lowland to montane forest, usually at higher altitudes in the North Island. It often forms large extensive colonies by means of it's stoloniferous habit in open beech forest and scrub. It is a very hardy fern in the home garden, and can form a small trunk over time and has attractive rosette of fronds, that enjoys a filtered light situation. Add plenty of organic matter to soil and water well to establish. Grows approximately 1m x 1m.

Rubus squarrosus, leafless lawyer or yellow-prickled lawyer is endemic to the North and South Islands, from Ahipara south (rare north of the Manawatu). It is found in lowland forest and in usually open rocky places. A vigorous and sparsely foliaged climber, in forest situations, can climb up to 10m high, but in the open becomes a scrambling shrub up 1.5m high found, with white flowers in spring.  Plant in either a dry or moist soil in full sun. Frost hardy and can cope with an exposed aspect. The prickles, which are mostly on the petioles and midribs, are bright creamy yellow, and against the dark green stems give this plant a distinctive appearance. Excellent as a security plant, and certainly would make a great hedgerow, as it is effectively natures barbed-wire. Not threatened but often local and uncommon over large parts of its potential range. Some northern populations are very vulnerable to habitat destruction.