Our popular varieties…
Chatham Island Forget-me-not (Myosotidium hortensia) at The Buckland Plant Nursery
These glossy-leaved gems are easy to grow. If you have a mostly shady, well drained spot, that’s semi-frost protected against the house or under trees, these should thrive.
They grow to approximately 0.6m wide x 0.6m tall, though may form wider clumps if given the space.
General information:
– Their shallow root system means they can grow in places that many other plants can’t.
– During Summer, water 3-4 times a week, but do not water when exposed to sun, as their soft leaves will burn.
– When it’s hot, leaves can appear to wilt. But once they’ve been watered and the day cools down, they should perk back up overnight.
– Trimming any rotting or older looking leaves off at the base of the stems encourages fresh growth.
– Moist but well-drained soil, rather than damp soil is preferred, as to prevent rot from constantly sitting in water.
Groundcovers
A decent groundcover can make all the difference in a garden, from keeping the weeds down to adding a colourful and textured carpet through the garden or around rocks.
We grow a selection of low growing, native ground covers, including the bright green ferny textured Leptinella dioica; the slightly hardier, more bronze and shorter variant Leptinella squalida; as well as the deep purple/black compact feather-like Leptinella ‘Platt’s Black’.
Other types include Acaena purpurea (striking purple-bronze foliage), Scleranthus biflorus (NZ Moss), Raoulia hookeri (hardy, alpine species, with distinctive silvery foliage), as well as Lobelia angulata (formerly Pratia), which produces small, white flowers from late spring to early summer which attract pollinators, contributing to local biodiversity.
Ornamental Grasses
Many people discover our nursery in their search for Calamagrostis, Stipa & Miscanthus. These ornamental grasses bring movement, texture, and year-round interest to the garden. They soften hard landscaping, create structure through the seasons, adding graceful height without overwhelming nearby plants. Hardy and low-maintenance, they thrive in a variety of conditions and are ideal for mass planting, borders, or as striking specimen features. Typically, some varieties die back over winter before sending up fresh new growth in spring, while others remain evergreen and simply benefit from a light trim to keep them looking their best
Chinese Windmill Palms
Botanically known as Trachycarpus fortunei and native to the temperate mountain forests of China. Grown from seed collected here in Canterbury, it’s one of the hardiest palms available for New Zealand gardens, thriving in both coastal and cooler inland regions. Its cold/frost tolerance makes it ideal for the South Island climate, provided it has well-drained soil and some shelter from harsh winds when younger. This striking palm forms a slender trunk with a lush, fan-shaped crown. Reaches 3–5 m in 10–15 years in the ground, or can also be grown in a large decorative pot, a popular addition to a patio or deck. Perfect for creating a tropical feel in temperate NZ gardens.
Myosotidium hortensia
Stipa gigantea
Acaena purpurea
Verbena bonariensis
