The soft wood makes it a favoured species for burrowing insects like our North Island endemic pururi moth (Aenetus virescens) lavae. Mahoe also has its very own mahoe moth, Feredaria graminosa which can sometimes seriously defoliate the trees.
Mahoe seed can be put in the fridge for cool moist stratification (CMS) for 2 - 4 months if sowing immediately is not possible but it does seem to slow down the germination.

Like M. ternata, this species takes a while to germinate though I admit I haven’t tried different pre treatments to see if this time can be shortened. Given the seed type, hot water treatment would be worth a try.
Propagate Pre treatment: 1 - 3 months CMS Germination: 4 - 7 weeks Pricking out: 2 - 3 months after sowing Tips: easy |
The almost black berries once used for both jelly and wine making, are also loved by birds and the colour contrast against the fairly pale leaves means they are easy for them to spot so good luck beating them to it ! Each fruit has multiple seeds though so you don't need many for a good crop.
Propagate Pre treatment: hot water scarify or CMS 1 - 3 months Germination: erratic ! I have records ranging between 4 and 32 weeks for this one Pricking out: 12 - 18 months after sowing Tips: can damp off if overwatered when seedlings are very small. Protect from birds |
Despite appearing as though it's one of those 'tough as old boots' types, the early life of Dianella is somewhat unpredictable. The seed is certainly hardy as germination time seems unaffected by storage or treatment but once it's up it's surprisingly vulnerable, damping off easily, VERY attractive to birds who astonish me with their knack of 'sniffing' out a lone seed tray amongst all the rest ! It's a slow grower early on and is most successful when left to toughen up a bit before tubing to mitigate the damping off issue so though it's worth the wait, don't expect quick results with this one !
Propagate Pre treatment: hot water scarify Germination: 6 - 10 weeks but can take longer Pricking out: 2.5 - 3 months after sowing Tips: easy |

The most interesting feature of this group is their lack of leaves. Modified stems known as cladodes or phylloclades take on the photosynthetic function usually performed by leaves. Celery pines (Phyllocladus) are another group whose leaves are modified stems. The seed pods remain on the plant as the sides of the pods fall away leaving the bright orange seeds dangling within the outline. Like all legumes, Carmichaelia has hard, long lasting seeds that germinate far more readily after a soak in hot water. See December post for flowering.
Wiwi is native to Australia and New Zealand and though its round stems make it look like a rush, its actually a leafless sedge so shares the Cyperaceae family with all the other sedges including Carex. The relationship between Ficinia nodosa and Ficinia spiralis (pingao) has long been under scrutiny and both have had several name changes. The most significant was pingao moving from Desmoschoenus (formerly an endemic genus), to join Ficinia a widespread genus of mostly South African members.
Carex secta (purei, pukio) is found in wetlands throughout the country and once mature, develops a trunk of old rhizomes, roots and flower stem bases that can attain a height of up to a meter ! The seed head is loosely branched (hence the species name meaning 'much divided') and drooping, and seeds fall very easily from the stem when ripe. Like many grasses and sedges this is a very fast grower and though it is most at home in wet environments it can tolerate the dry surprisingly well.
Propagate Pre treatment: CMS 2 - 3 months Germination: 2 - 7 weeks Pricking out: 4 - 7 months after sowing Tips: prone to damping off |
Here in Wellington we should be thankful for any plant that stands steadfast in the brunt of a southerly gale with its feet in desert-dry soil! Coastal areas are difficult sites to restore for obvious reasons so the usefulness of this plant can not be understated. It's quick to germinate and grow but like all Coprosma species is prone to damping off when young so avoid keeping it too damp and ensure as much air flow as possible.
Propagate Pre treatment: CMS 2 - 3 months Germination: 2 - 9 weeks Pricking out: 2.5 - 6.5 months after sowing Tips: likely to produce at least a few hybrids in the batch |
When growing in association with other Coprosma species it hybridisies readily resulting in a medium leaved shrub. Unlike many hybrid offspring that are sterile, C. lucida x C. propinqua var propinqua (referred to as Coprosma x cunninghamii) can be extremely fertile producing further hybrid forms. Mingimingi (confusingly also the Maori name for Leucopogon, Leptecophylla and Muehlenbeckia astonii) is also one of the few hosts favoured by the native mistletoe, Ileostylus micranthus.
Propagate Pre treatment: sow fresh Germination: 2 - 5 weeks Pricking out: 2 - 3 months after sowing Tips: very easy |
Propagate Pre treatment: CMS 2 - 4 months Germination: 8 - 16 weeks Pricking out: 4.5 - 9 months after sowing Tips: seeds don't store well |

The large bright red berries of kareao are easy to spot but fruit can be tricky to collect if a strong wind has not 'helped' a vine closer to the ground. Once ripe though, they fall from the vine quite easily so a vigorous shake might get you a few. I love the spotted birds egg look of these seeds and if you're ever wondering what the red fruit is on the ground, the speckled seed inside will tell you instantly.