Latin Name: Berberis julianae
Common Name: wintergreen barberry
Family: Berberidaceae
Origin: Central China
Tree/Shrub/Herb: Broadleaf evergreen shrub
Form: Rounded mound
Habit: Mostly tight with some arching stems
Buds: Alternate
Leaves: Clustered at nodes, leathery, dark green
Flowers: Small, yellow, abundant, blooming in April/May
Fruit: Bluish-black berries in fall
Stem/Bark: Light tan stems, thorny
Cultural Requirements: Moist, well-drained, acidic soils, full sun to light shade
Landscape Uses: Keeping unwanted people/animals away from something
Notes: Birds will take cover in this plant, but everything else will stay away for fear of thorn gouging
Latin Name: Cotoneaster lacteus
Common Name: late cotoneaster
Family: Rosaceae
Origin: Yunnan province, China
Tree/Shrub/Herb: Broadleaf evergreen shrub
Form: Upright vase shape
Habit: Multi-stemmed from base
Buds: Alternate
Leaves: Obovate, hairy margin, red drip tip
Flowers: White corymbs blooming in June/July
Fruit: Red berries
Stem/Bark: Maroon bark, prominent lenticels, hairy twigs
Cultural Requirements: Well drained, average soil, full sun to partial shade
Landscape Uses: May be grown as a hedge or as a solitary shrub
Notes: lacteus refers to the milk white flowers
Latin Name: Daphne laureola
Common Name: spurge laurel
Family: Thymelaeaceae
Origin: Europe, northern Africa
Tree/Shrub/Herb: Broadleaf evergreen shrub
Form: Erect, upright
Habit: Spreading upwards
Buds: Alternate
Leaves: Whorled at nodes, oblanceolate, glabrous, dark green on top and lighter underneath
Flowers: Inconspicuous, yellow-green
Stem/Bark: Thin, yellow-grey bark, green new shoots
Cultural Requirements: Invasive, will pop up in many situations
Landscape Uses: Don't use because of invasive potential
Notes: Beware of the caustic sap!
Latin Name: Eriobotrya japonica
Common Name: loquat
Family: Rosaceae
Origin: South-Central China
Tree/Shrub/Herb: Broadleaf evergreen shrub
Form: Upright, rounded
Habit: Multi-stemmed from base, irregularly arching stems
Buds: Alternate
Leaves: Serrated margin, dark green top with lighter underside, leathery, prominent veins
Flowers: White corymbs
Fruit: Yellowish apple-like fruit
Stem/Bark: Grey bark
Cultural Requirements: Needs cold wind protection, full sun, moist soil, rich soil
Landscape Uses: Specimen shrub
Notes: Grows sparsely in our climate unless very well protected
Latin Name: Escallonia rubra
Common Name: red escallonia
Family: Escalloniaceae
Origin: South America
Tree/Shrub/Herb: Broadleaf evergreen shrub
Form: Irregular
Habit: Many arching, spreading stems from base
Buds: Alternate
Leaves: Obovate, acute tip, finely serrated
Flowers: Ruby-pink flower in June
Stem/Bark: Reddish brown bark, pinkish-red new growth
Cultural Requirements: Needs wind protection and irrigation, average to good soil, well-drained
Landscape Uses: Border shrub
Notes: Needs wind/cold protection to survive, would probably work well in Kits
Latin Name: Euphorbia amygdaloides var. robbiae
Common Name: evergreen spurge
Family: Euphorbiaceae
Origin: Europe, Turkey
Tree/Shrub/Herb: Broadleaf evergreen shrub
Form: Low, upright
Habit: Forms dense undergrowth
Buds: Whorled
Leaves: Dark green top which is lighter underneath, lanceolate, entire margin
Flowers: Green-yellow clusters on long reproductive stems
Stem/Bark: Green/pink stems
Cultural Requirements: Moist, well-drained soil, full sun to shade
Landscape Uses: Will thrive in dry shade of trees
Notes: Spreads rhizomatously, broken stems produce a sap which sting the skin
Latin Name: Hedera colchica
Common Name: Persian ivy
Family: Araliaceae
Origin: Middle East
Tree/Shrub/Herb: Broadleaf evergreen liana
Form: Prostrate or climbing on objects/other plants
Habit: Climbing, trailing
Buds: Alternate
Leaves: Chordate, entire margin, glabrous, juvenile leaves are 5-lobed
Flowers: Small, green umbels
Fruit: Black berries
Stem/Bark: Woody, brown
Cultural Requirements: Moist, well-drained, rich soil, full sun to partial shade
Landscape Uses: Climbing a surface
Notes: Uses aerial roots to climb surfaces
Latin Name: Ilex aquifolium
Common Name: English holly
Family: Aquifoliaceae
Origin: Western/Southern Europe
Tree/Shrub/Herb: Broadleaf evergreen shrub
Form: Arborescent
Habit: Secondary branches arching downwards
Buds: Alternate
Leaves: Acute tip, spiny margin, glossy
Fruit: Red berries
Stem/Bark: Yellowish new stems, grey smooth bark
Cultural Requirements: Average, moist, well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade
Landscape Uses: None, don't plant it.
Notes: Dioecious, very invasive, don't ever plant this!
Latin Name: Ilex pernyi
Common Name: Perny's holly
Family: Aquifoliaceae
Origin: China
Tree/Shrub/Herb: Broadleaf evergreen shrub
Form: Arborescent
Habit: Horizontally arching secondary branching
Buds: Alternate, purple
Leaves: Spiny margin, broadly triangular, drip tips
Fruit: Red berries
Stem/Bark: Brown/grey bark, yellow new growth
Cultural Requirements: Deep, average, well drained soil, tolerates poor conditions, prefers good air circulation
Landscape Uses: Specimen shrub or hedging
Notes: Dioecious, not invasive
Latin Name: Magnolia grandiflora
Common Name: southern magnolia
Family: Magnoliaceae
Origin: Southeastern US
Tree/Shrub/Herb: Broadleaf evergreen tree
Form: Arborescent
Habit: Horizontally arching secondary branching
Buds: Alternate
Leaves: Bronze indumentum on underside (only slightly, more in Little Gem), acute tip, leathery, ovate, larger leaves than Little Gem, undulating margin
Flowers: Large white flowers
Stem/Bark: Brown bark, white lenticels, reddish new shoots
Cultural Requirements: Full sun, medium to light water requirements
Landscape Uses: Large specimen tree
Notes: Grows to 20-25m tall
Latin Name: Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem'
Common Name: Little Gem magnolia
Family: Magnoliaceae
Origin: Southeastern US
Tree/Shrub/Herb: Broadleaf evergreen tree
Form: Arborescent
Habit: Horizontally arching secondary branching
Buds: Alternate
Leaves: Lots of bronze indumentum on underside, acute tip, leathery, ovate, smaller leaves than species, undulating margin
Flowers: Medium sized white flowers
Stem/Bark: Brown bark, white lenticels, reddish new shoots
Cultural Requirements: Full sun, medium to light water requirements
Landscape Uses: Dwarf garden tree
Notes: Little Gem is less hardy than the species, grows to only 4-5m tall
Latin Name: Stranvaesia davidiana
Common Name: stranvaesia
Family: Rosaceae
Origin: East Asia
Tree/Shrub/Herb: Broadleaf evergreen shrub
Form: Irregular
Habit: Multi-stemmed from base
Buds: Alternate, red
Leaves: Simple, lanceolate, acute tip, drip tips
Flowers: White corymb flowering in June/July
Fruit: Red berries
Stem/Bark: Grey/brown bark
Cultural Requirements: full sun, average soil, no irrigation necessary
Landscape Uses: Park tree
Notes: Also known as Photinia davidiana
Latin Name: Viburnum cinnamomifolium
Common Name: cinnamon leaved viburnum
Family: Adoxaceae
Origin: Western China
Tree/Shrub/Herb: Broadleaf evergreen shrub
Form: Upright, rounded
Habit: Multi-stemmed from base
Buds: Opposite
Leaves: Lanceolate, prominent veins, acute tip
Flowers: White umbels
Fruit: Black drupes
Stem/Bark: Brown, woody
Cultural Requirements: Moist but well drained soil, full sun to partial shade
Landscape Uses: Specimen shrub
Notes: Grows to 5m tall
Latin Name: Viburnum rhytidophyllum
Common Name: leatherleaf viburnum
Family: Adoxaceae
Origin: Western/Central China
Tree/Shrub/Herb: Broadleaf evergreen shrub
Form: Upright, rounded, irregular
Habit: Multi stemmed from base
Buds: Opposite
Leaves: Prominent veins, lanceolate
Flowers: White flowers in July
Fruit: Black drupes
Stem/Bark: Brown bark, lighter brown new shoots
Cultural Requirements: Requires wind protection
Landscape Uses: Large border plant
Notes: Fluff on leaves and stems is a major respiratory irritant
Latin Name: Gaultheria procumbens
Common Name: wintergreen
Family: Ericaceae
Origin: Eastern US
Tree/Shrub/Herb: Broadleaf evergreen shrub
Form: Low, dense
Habit: Spreading
Buds: Alternate
Leaves: Obovate shape, entire margin
Flowers: Pundulous, white, urn-shaped, flowers in mid-late spring
Fruit: Red berries
Stem/Bark: Woody stem
Cultural Requirements: Acidic, organic, moist, well-drained soil, full sun to partial shade
Landscape Uses: Groundcover
Notes: Tough to establish
Latin Name: Thuja occidentalis 'Smaragd'
Common Name: Smaragd cedar
Family: Cupressaceae
Origin: Eastern North America
Tree/Shrub/Herb: Coniferous tree
Form: Columnar hedge
Habit: Tight, dense
Buds: Alternate
Leaves: Sprays held vertically, scales are short, pointed and broad
Stem/Bark: Red/brown, peeling bark
Cultural Requirements: Moist soil, will tolerate drier soil once established
Landscape Uses: Hedging
Notes: In the wild, T. occidentalis does not grow as large as T. plicata
Latin Name: Callistemon sp
Common Name: bottlebrush
Family: Myrtaceae
Origin: Australia
Tree/Shrub/Herb: Evergreen shrub
Form: Spreading
Habit: Multi stemmed, spreading
Buds: Whorled
Leaves: Pointy, needle like leaves, 1-2 cm
Flowers: Red bottlebrush flowers
Fruit: Capsule
Stem/Bark: Brown woody stem
Cultural Requirements: Tolerates dry soil
Landscape Uses: Interest
Notes: Found in more temperate regions of Australia
Latin Name: Prostanthera cuneata
Common Name: alpine mint bush
Family: Lamiaceae
Origin: SE Australia
Tree/Shrub/Herb: Evergreen shrub
Form: Round
Habit: Dense, tightly packed
Buds: Whorled
Leaves: Small, tight, whorled leaves
Flowers: Small, white, non-showy
Stem/Bark: Woody
Cultural Requirements: Dry soil, no irrigation necessary
Landscape Uses: Border shrub, winter interest, fragrance
Notes: Has a minty fragrance
Latin Name: Veronica (Hebe) sp.
Common Name: hebe
Family: Plantaginaceae
Origin: NZ, South America
Tree/Shrub/Herb: Evergreen shrub
Form: Mounded
Habit: Vertically ascending branches
Buds: Opposite
Leaves: Small, ovate
Flowers: Four perpendicular rows of oppositely deccusate leaves
Stem/Bark: Woody
Cultural Requirements: Full sun, dry, lean-to-average, well drained soil
Landscape Uses: Low shrubby cover
Notes: Not hardy in cold winters, smaller leaved species are hardier
Latin Name: Eucalyptus sp.
Common Name: eucalyptus
Family: Myrtaceae
Origin: Australia
Tree/Shrub/Herb: Evergreen tree
Form: Spreading, stout
Habit: Single main trunk with vertically ascending secondary branching
Buds: Alternate, but opposite in seedlings
Leaves: Linear, entire margin, pointed apex, oily
Stem/Bark: White to red peeling bark
Cultural Requirements: Full sun, average soil, well drained, can't tolerate very cold winters
Landscape Uses: Garden tree
Notes: There are 700 species in the genus and not all are arborescent
Latin Name: Libertia sp.
Common Name: libertia
Family: Iridaceae
Origin: New Zealand, Southern hemisphere
Tree/Shrub/Herb: Herbaceous perennials with woody rhizomes
Form: Vaselike
Habit: Leaves arching from base
Buds: Basal
Leaves: Bronze, evergreen leaves, linear shape, pointed apex
Flowers: Three petals, blooming in spring
Fruit: Tri-valved capsules, black seeds
Cultural Requirements: Full sun to partial shade, moderate water needs
Landscape Uses: Bronze colour
Notes: Many species endemic to NZ
Latin Name: Azara microphylla
Common Name:
Family: Salicaceae
Origin: Chile and Argentina
Tree/Shrub/Herb: Broadleaf evergreen tree
Form: Arborescent
Habit: Diagonally arching secondary branching
Buds: Opposite leaves in alternate pairs
Leaves: Small, ovate, pointed apex
Stem/Bark: Brown woody bark
Cultural Requirements: Sandy, well-drained soil, full sun
Landscape Uses: Specimen tree
Notes: Requires protection from cold winter in colder climates
Latin Name: Gaultheria mucronata
Common Name: prickly heath
Family: Ericaceae
Origin: Southern Argentina and Chile
Tree/Shrub/Herb: Evergreen shrub
Form: Low, mounded
Habit: Spreading
Buds: Alternate
Leaves: Small, glossy, ovate
Flowers: Solitary white flowers
Fruit: Pinkish berries
Stem/Bark: Woody
Cultural Requirements: Partial to full shade, moist soil, well drained
Landscape Uses: Low shrubby cover, colour of berries
Notes: Fruits are edible, but mostly tasteless
Latin Name: Olearia sp.
Common Name: olearia
Family: Australia, NZ
Origin: Asteraceae
Tree/Shrub/Herb: Evergreen shrub
Notes: 130 species in the genus
Latin Name: Leptospermum sp.
Common Name: tea tree
Family: Myrtaceae
Origin: Mostly Australia, Some NZ and SE Asia
Tree/Shrub/Herb: Evergreen shrub
Buds: Alternate
Leaves: Simple, pointed tip, less than 1cm long
Flowers: 5 petals, white or pink or red
Cultural Requirements: Dry, well drained soil, full fun
Notes: 86 species in the genus, L. scoparium is used in manuka honey production
Latin Name: Aucuba japonica
Common Name: spotted laurel
Family: Garryaceae
Origin: China, Japan
Tree/Shrub/Herb: Evergreen shrub
Form: Upright, rounded
Habit: Multi-stemmed from base
Buds: Opposite
Leaves: Broadly lanceolate, pointed apex
Flowers: 4 purplish-brown petals, less than 1cm diametre
Fruit: Red berry
Stem/Bark: Woody, brown
Cultural Requirements: Moist, rich soil, partial sun, will tolerate dry shade
Landscape Uses: Shrub cover, could be used for hedging
Notes: This plant is dioecious
Latin Name: Ceanothus 'Victoria'
Common Name: California lilac
Family: Rhamnaceae
Origin: Garden origin
Tree/Shrub/Herb: Evergreen shrub
Form: Upright
Habit: Many stems, densely packed
Buds: Alternate
Leaves: Simple, small, obovate, prominently veined
Flowers: Blue clusters
Stem/Bark: Brown, woody
Cultural Requirements: Full sun, well-drained soil, draught tolerant once established
Landscape Uses: Colour
Notes: The genus is found only in North america
Latin Name: Cupressus x leylandii
Common Name: Leyland cypress
Family: Cupressaceae
Origin: Western North America
Tree/Shrub/Herb: Coniferous tree
Form: Pruned to hedge
Habit: Dense, compact
Buds: Alternate
Leaves: Scales
Fruit: Small cones similar in appearance to T. plicata
Stem/Bark: Brown, woody, peeling
Cultural Requirements: Tolerate poor soil conditions, draught tolerant once established, full sun
Landscape Uses: Hedging
Notes: This is a hybrid between yellow cedar and Monterey cypress, grows very fast
Latin Name: Grevillea victoriae
Common Name: royal grevillea
Family: Proteaceae
Origin: Australia
Tree/Shrub/Herb: Evergreen shrub
Form: Upright
Habit: Many stems, open habit
Buds: Alternate
Leaves: Large, ovate, dark green above and pale underneath, entire margin
Flowers: Clusters of red-orange tube-like florets
Cultural Requirements: Full soil, hot aspect, well-drained soil, frost hardy
Landscape Uses: Interesting specimen
Latin Name: Osmanthus delavayi
Common Name: sweet olive
Family: Oleaceae
Origin: China
Tree/Shrub/Herb: Evergreen shrub
Form: Upright, round
Habit: Multi stemmed arching from base
Buds: Opposite
Leaves: Serrated margin, pointed tip, dark green
Flowers: White sprays, flowering in early spring
Cultural Requirements: Full sun, drought tolerant once established
Landscape Uses: Spring interest
Notes: Has a nice fragrance
Latin Name: Pachysandra terminalis
Common Name: Japanese pachysandra
Family: Buxaceae
Origin: Japan, Korea, China
Tree/Shrub/Herb: Evergreen perennial
Form: Low, matlike
Habit: Spreading, creeping
Buds: Alternate
Leaves: Simple, glossy, deeply serrated, ovate
Flowers: White, appear in early spring
Cultural Requirements: Moist, well-drained, rich soil
Landscape Uses: Groundcover
Notes: A common sight in commercial landscapes
Latin Name: Podocarpus lawrencei
Common Name: mountain plum-pine
Family: Podocarpaceae
Origin: Australia (alpine areas)
Tree/Shrub/Herb: Evergreen shrub
Form: Rounded
Habit: Dense foliage
Buds: Alternate
Leaves: Short needles
Fruit: Red arils
Stem/Bark: Brown, woody
Cultural Requirements: Full sun to partial shade, dry soil, drought tolerant
Landscape Uses: Texture
Notes: Is neither a plum nor a pine
Latin Name: Vinca minor
Common Name: dwarf periwinkle
Family: Apocynaceae
Origin: Central/Southern Europe
Tree/Shrub/Herb: Evergreen subshrub
Form: Low, matlike
Habit: Spreading, creeping
Buds: Opposite
Leaves: 2-4cm long, glossy, dark green, ovate, entire margin
Flowers: Purple, 5 petals
Fruit: Pairs of follicles
Cultural Requirements: Moist, well-drained soil, full sun to partial shade
Landscape Uses: Groundcover
Notes: Has potential to be invasive in some parts of North America
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