Elaeocarpus dentatus or hinau is endemic to the North and South Islands, and is found from sea-level to 600m asl., mainly in coastal and lowland forest though occasionally extending into montane forest, from near North Cape to the Catlins River in Otago. Tree up to 20 m tall (usually less), with broad spreading crown.  It is a very handsome medium-sized round-headed tree, 12-13m tall, sometimes up to 20m, with a trunk sometimes 30-90cm through.  This very distinctive tree is easily recognised by the erecto-patent leathery bicoloured leaves, white "lily of the valley" like flowers that appear from October to February, followed by small ovoid purple-black drupes from December to May. It will grow in a sunny or semi-shaded position that has good deep rich, moist soil. The fruits of the hinau were a food source for Maori, but were unpalatable in their fresh state that they needed a considerable amount of preparation after cooking to satisfy with their taste. A coarse meal by made from the prepared kernels, and mixed with water to form a cake that was baked in an umu for up to 2 days. The bark was also used to make a dark blue-black dye.

Pachystegia rufa, or the red-stemmed Marlborough rock daisy is one of three species of Pachystegia, all endemic to New Zealand. There is only a small population of Pachystegia rufa that remains in the wild, that occur in about four valley's in the Haldon Hills, Marlborough. Pachystegia rufa is a species of flowering plants in the daisy family, Asteraceae. It is a dwarf, robust, spreading, evergreen shrub growing to a height of 1 m and to a width of 1m. It has stout branches are covered with brown hairs, with has large, leathery, oblong, dark green, shiny leaves which are smaller than those of Pachystegia insignis. It has shiny, deep green leaves that crowded towards the ends of the branches, that have an under surface that is clad with a thick red-brown, rusty coloured tomentum. In spring it has large white daisy-like flowers with a yellow disc in the centre. When Pachystegia rufa is brought into close association with Pachystegia insignis it readily hybridises creating a variety of hybrids. It is naturally uncommon due to the narrow range in which it grows, but is quite common within its range. Some populations have been damaged by goat and possum browse. In a garden situation it should be grown in a very dry, sunny place in free draining soil, a rock wall is ideal. It dislikes humidity and once established will not tolerate much root disturbance. Transplants with difficulty. An attractive species which should be grown more than it currently is.

Veronica (Hebe) strictissima, Banks Peninsula koromiko is endemic to the South Island where it is confined to Banks Peninsula and the Port Hills near Christchurch. It is found growing in mostly open areas on banks and bluffs, or in shrub and bush margins from the coast to 840m asl.  It is a bushy, wide-spreading shrub up to 2.5m tall with green leaves 2-4cm long. It has white flowers, sometimes tinged with lilac, that cover the plant from January to February. It is not a fast growing plant but is easily grown, and is quite hardy and drought tolerant.  In a garden situation trim this plant to keep tidy.                                                           

Carex virgata is endemic to the North, South, Stewart and Chatham Islands. It is widespread from sea level to about 1000m a.s.l. in open, swampy conditions and also in damp sites within lowland forest. In parts of the country this sedge is often the dominant carice of lowland alluvial forest. A densely clumped, rhizomatous, to tussock-forming sedge, it forms a handsome, distinctive bright green tussock up to 90 – 120cm  tall with a weeping, graceful appearance. Initially it grows directly out of the ground, but older plants can form a trunk from its thickly matted roots. Being a plant that grows in swampy places, it is ideal for growing alongside water or in damp soils.

Carmichaelia nana, syn Carmichaelia enysii or dwarf broom is endemic to the North Island (Central Volcanic Plateau and adjacent ranges) and the South Island (Marlborough, Canterbury, and Otago). It is found in  lowland to alpine areas, inhabiting stable but unconsolidated alluvial river beds and eyots, river terraces, moraines, shingle slopes, lahar mounds and inland volcanogenic dunes. This dwarf, spreading shrub, grows 20-60 mm tall and 0.5 m wide, usually forming a dense mat.  Distinguished from all other dwarf Carmichaelia species by its smaller flowers that are white, flushed with purple that appear from November to February, then seed appears from January to May. An attractive species that deserves wider cultivation. Dislikes humidity.

Veronica (Hebe) elliptica, kokomuka or shore hebe is indigenous to the North, South, Stewart, Solander, Snares, Auckland and Campbell Islands. In the North Island it is scarce, and known only from the west coast in scattered locations on the south Taranaki coast, on Kapiti Island, and Titahi Bay. In the South Island it is found on the north, west, and south coasts, and on the east coast as far north as Oamaru. It is naturalised on Chatham (Rekohu) Island. Indigenous also to the Falkland Islands, it is naturalised near Tierra del Fuego in southern South America, on Maatsuyker Island, Tasmania, and in France. This very hardy, bushy shrub with elliptic leaves grows up to 2m tall+, and is an excellent coastal shrub which grows quite close to the waters edge, does well in most gardens. It has flowers that are white to pale violet, but rarely flowers in northern New Zealand. Hebe elliptica is extremely variable, and some critical selection of the range of wild forms is needed. Plants from near Charleston are particularly distinctive in that they retain their flat, creeping habit in cultivation. Plants from near Titahi Bay, Porirua have been distinguished as Hebe elliptica var. crassifolia for many years, and they differ somewhat by their wider, thicker leaves. Hebe elliptica was discovered by Johann or Georg Forster (father and son), who accompanied Captain James Cook on his second voyage to New Zealand between 1772 and 1774.

Festuca novae-zealandiae or hard tussock is endemic to the North, South and Stewart Islands from the Kaimanawa and Ruahine Ranges southwards. It is found in montane to subalpine regions from sea-level upwards, but mostly above 330m asl to 1200m asl., in tussockland, open shrubland and rock outcrops. It is a fairly common component of low-tussock grassland, particularly in the high country, but is quite often overlooked for garden use. It is an erect, densely tufted, tawny tussock that grows to 50-60cm tall, green to slightly greyish leaves that are rough to touch when stroked downwards, but smooth when stroked upwards. It is a very hardy tussock that will tolerate considerable amounts of drought and exposure, making it useful for very difficult sites. Although it grows well in more favourable sites, it will loose its character if you treat it too well. It flowers from November to December that are followed by seed from January to February.