Wind is a major factor in New Zealand’s gardening, especially in coastal areas, hilltops, and exposed urban sections. Constant gusts can:
Dry out soil quickly
Stress or damage plant foliage
Erode soil on slopes
Choosing wind-tolerant native plants is key to creating a thriving garden that requires less maintenance and is ecologically sustainable.
Wind-resistant trees and large shrubs form a structural backbone:
Plagianthus regius – Fast-growing native tree, great for wind protection and sheltering smaller plants.
Pseudopanax arboreum – Evergreen with flexible branches, resists strong gusts.
Sophora microphylla – Deep-rooted, tolerates exposed sites and poor soil.
Tip: Plant trees in clusters to create natural windbreaks, reducing stress on more sensitive shrubs and groundcovers.
Medium shrubs provide a secondary wind barrier:
Corokia Frosted Chocolate – Dense foliage and wiry stems reduce wind impact.
Dodonaea viscosa Purple – Deep roots, ideal for stabilizing soil in windy gardens.
Olearia traversii – Compact, hardy shrub suited for exposed terraces.
Coprosma propinqua – Naturally wind-tolerant, forms bushy clumps.
These shrubs protect lower layers, form microclimates, and help prevent erosion.
Lower layers buffer wind at soil level:
Phormium cookianum Purple – Architectural leaves, withstands salt and wind.
Poa astonii – Tussock grass ideal for slopes, bends in the wind without breaking.
Leptinella dioica – Spreading groundcover that stabilizes soil.
Tip: Use dense planting of groundcovers and tussocks to reduce erosion and retain moisture.
Layered planting: Trees → shrubs → groundcovers.
Clumping plants: Groups resist wind better than single specimens.
Mulch and organic matter: Protect roots and retain moisture.
Coastal adaptations: Choose salt-tolerant species like Hoheria populnea and Phormium cookianum.
By choosing wind-resistant NZ native plants and using layered planting techniques, gardeners can create resilient, low-maintenance gardens that thrive in exposed sites and coastal conditions.
