Clematis 'Purity’ is a cultivar of Clematis fosterii and Clematis paniculata, that was bred  by the late Mr Arthur Ericson of Akaroa for its hardiness in the garden.  It is a strong growing evergreen climber, with stunning large creamy white sweetly scented flowers in late spring.  It requires a cool root run, so it suits an east or south facing fence, pergola or archway (it can also be grown up a tree), making sure that the lower branches and roots are shaded, as this is crucial. It needs good drainage, and moderately moist, fertile soil. Water well in its first summer, which will help it tolerate more dryness thereafter. Can also be pruned to about half its size after flowering to help maintain its vigour, and develop new flowering wood. Can be pruned more heavily if it becomes untidy!

Raukaua anomalus, syn. Pseudopanax anomalus is endemic to the North, South and Stewart Island. It  is widespread, but often localised where it grows in lowland to montane forest margins and shrubland, from near sea level to 900m asl. A shrub that grows up to 3 m tall with more or less zig-zagging, interlacing densely hairy branchlets and grey bark, with small 1-3 cm long leaves that are alternately arranged along the branches. Young leaves can be bright green at first, turning dark green. It is much more openly branched under forest canopy than when in the open. It produces tiny green-white flowers along its branches from November to January. This is followed by small (5mm) white berries with purple marks.

Celmisia semicordata subsp. semicordata,  tikumu or cotton plant is endemic  to the South Island from sea-level to alpine, up to 1400m asl., from North-West Nelson, Nelson Lakes National, Westland (to sea level at Charleston and Nine-Mile Bluff) to about Fiordland. It becomes more common further south along and west of the Main Divide, but with other populations in the east near Hamner, Waiau Valley, Lake Sumner, Puketeraki Range, Mount Peel, and the Hunters Hills. It grows in a wide range of sites and habitats, though most abundant in subalpine and lower alpine shrub and grassland in higher rainfall areas, but occasionally in coastal and lowland areas. Seaward of the Paparoa Range at Charleston and Nine Mile Bluff it grows on steep bluffs and ledges at sea level, and in south Westland it occurs on outwash gravels at the foot of the mountains below 150m asl.  It can often rapidly invade sites disturbed by burning, heavy grazing, and erosion. A robust tufted herb with stiff sword-shaped or spear-shaped, silver to silvery-green leaves with undersides that are densely covered in soft satiny tomentum, that make up a single rosettes, or are branched, forming large clumps up to 30-60cm tall. They have variable sized flower heads that can be 6-10cm in diameter , that have white petals and a yellow centre, on stems that are densely clad with soft, white, cottony hairs from November to January. They will grow in well-drained, deep and moist soil that is enriched with plenty of humus. In regions that have hot summer it would be best grown in a semi-shaded or shaded position. In a garden situation, a well grown and mature plant can suddenly collapse and die for apparently no reason. This can be due to phytophthora or rhizoctonia.

Fuchsia procumbens, creeping fuchsia,  shore fuchsia, climbing or trailing fuchsia is endemic to the North Island. This naturally uncommon species is found from the Ninety Mile Beach and Perpendicular Point south to Maunganui Bluff in the west, and Kennedy Bay (Coromandel Peninsula) in the east. It is known as a naturalised plant on Kapiti Island. It is strictly a coastal species, and can be found in cobble/gravel beaches, coastal cliff faces, coastal scrub and grassland, dune slacks and swales, and from the margins of saltmarshes (in places where it would be inundated during spring tides). It is quite tolerant of naturalised grasses and may be found growing amongst dense swards of kikuyu grass (Pennisetum clandestinum. At various times regarded as seriously threatened, partly because some populations comprise only of a single sex-type. However, comprehensive surveys throughout this species range have discovered new populations and confirmed the persistence of the majority of the older sites.  Its range has hardly decreased and it would seem that the distribution of sex-types is natural. Because the species is so tolerant of environmental disturbance and weeds it is now regarded as biologically sparse. However, some populations have been eliminated recently by coastal development for holiday homes. If this trend continues then this species will probably qualify for a higher level of threat in the not to distant future. This remarkably adaptable plant is the smallest fuchsia in the world, and can be grown in most situations. It is a slender, much branched prostrate or trailing shrub. It has very slender stems, often 60 to 90 cm long and the bark is brown and peeling, with rounded green leaves about 10mm in diameter. The flowers are unusual for a fuchsia in that they are upright (a distinction it shares with F. arborescens of Mexico). They are yellow in colour with green and dark purplish sepals, with red anthers that have blue pollen. The flowers occur in September - May followed by edible red berries in early winter. It makes an excellent ground cover, and is ideal for a hanging basket.   

                               

 Ficinia spiralis, syn. Desmoschoenus spiralis, pingao (pronounced Pee-now) or golden sand sedge is endemic to the North, South, Stewart and Chatham Islands. It is found in coastal sand dune systems. It favours sloping and more or less unstable surfaces, growing mostly on the front face of active dunes but also on the rear face and rear dunes, provided that there is wind-blown sand. It can also grow on the top of sand hills. It is effective at trapping sand. Easily recognised by the distinctive overall orange colouring of the plant and by the paniculate spiral seed heads. Best grown in full sun in sandy conditions, it grows to 90cm high and puts out runners. The fruit of Ficinia has a gynophore, a feature shared only with the genus Ficinia with which it also shares paniculate, spiralled inforescences. It flowers in spring and early summer with seed in late summer. Its main threats come from competition from marram grass (Ammophila arenaria), dune stabilisation and compaction, harvesting, trampling, vehicle traffic and browsing animals. Because this species is wind-pollinated, individuals of small, isolated populations may not receive pollen during flowering, and therefore there will be no seed production. Browsing and trampling by sheep and horses; browsing of seedlings by possums; seed destruction by rodents; fire and insensitive harvesting. Frequently grown for dune restoration projects.  The yellow-green to orange leaves, when dried were used by Maori for weaving. Parts of the plant (fresh or dried) were also said to have medicinal properties.

 Olearia albida or tanguru is endemic to the North Island, where it is found from North Cape to East Cape on coastal cliffs and in coastal forests. It is a small, erect to spreading, vigorous growing shrub that grows 3-6m high. It has grooved flaky bark and twigs are grooved on the upper surface that bear leathery light green wavy leaves that taper towards the pointed tip, and have a white underside. It has large clusters of white flowers from January to May. Generally hardy, it is a useful species for a hedge or windbreak, or for general panting on a dry site. Its foliage is handsome enough to make it a great specimen tree. Young plants can be frost tender in districts with severe frosts. It is great for coastal gardens.