Green Toolbox species selector on Landcare Research website
Motukarara Conservation Nursery
Ideally bush areas will regenerate naturally from falling seeds or seed being carried by wind and birds and dropped in the leaf litter. But sometimes nature may need a helping hand. With a minimum of effort and money, you can grow a range of easy-care native plants from seed.
Some native plant varieties are called 'primary species' such as manuka, kanuka and ti kouka/cabbage trees, because they like starting out on bare ground, and are hardy, easy to grow and will generally tolerate extremes in temperature, terrain, soil type and drainage. In many cases, planting even a limited range of primary species can create an environment where birds bring in the seed of a wider variety of plants, saving you the time and expense of growing them yourself.
Collect seeds from the area you want to replant them so the plants are suited to local conditions and are more likely to thrive.
Learn how to treat and store seeds.
Learn how to sow, prick and pot-on your seeds.
If you are planning a number of restoration projects you may want to set up a community nursery - find out how.
Related links to external websites, DOC publications and other relevant information.
Publications about native plants
Urban greening manual: How to put nature into our neighbourhoods - Manaaki Whenua site
Conservation volunteers calendar 2012
Native plant conservation
Contacts