What to Grow, Where, and Why
Alpine environments are characterised by cold temperatures, high winds, intense sunlight, short growing seasons, and often poor, rocky soils. Native plants adapted to these conditions are typically low-growing, tough, and resilient, forming beautiful, hardy communities that protect fragile mountain ecosystems.
What Makes Alpine Sites Unique
-
Temperature: Cold, often below freezing at night, with snow cover in winter.
-
Exposure: High winds and intense UV radiation.
-
Soil: Thin, rocky, well-drained, often nutrient-poor soils.
-
Growing Season: Short, requiring rapid growth and flowering.
What to Plant by Alpine Site Type
|
Site Type |
Best Plant Choices |
Why These Work |
|
Alpine scree & rocky slopes |
Leptinella squalida (Lawn Daisy), Celmisia semicordata |
Low, cushion-forming plants resist wind, conserve moisture, and protect roots in rocky soil. |
|
Alpine tussock grasslands |
Poa cita (Silver Tussock), Chionochloa rigida (Snow Tussock), Carex comans (Common Sedge) |
Hardy tussocks adapted to cold, wind, and nutrient-poor soils; provide soil stability. |
|
Alpine wetlands & bogs |
Carex secta (Makura), Phormium Cookianum, Poa Cita, Cordyline Australis |
Specialized for wet, cold bog conditions with excellent water retention and cold tolerance. |
Signature Alpine Native Plants
-
Celmisia semicordata – Known as the Mountain Daisy, it has silver-leaved groundcover with daisy-like flowers.
-
Chionochloa rigida – The Snow Tussock, a sculptural grass adapted to alpine conditions.
-
Hebe sutherlandii – A compact, dense shrub with pale flowers, ideal for cold, exposed sites.
-
Phormium cookianum (Mountain Flax) – Smaller flax variety tolerant of cold and wind; useful for structure in alpine gardens.
-
Hebe odora (Subalpine koromiko) – Compact, rounded form; handles frost, wind, and rocky soils.
Planting Tips for Alpine Conditions
|
Tip |
Advice |
|
Planting time |
Late spring to early summer when the ground has thawed and frost risk diminishes. |
|
Site preparation |
Minimal disturbance; alpine plants often prefer natural rocky or well-drained soils. |
|
Protection |
Use rock placements or temporary windbreaks to shelter young plants in exposed sites. |
|
Watering |
Avoid overwatering; alpine plants prefer well-drained conditions, but may need water in dry spells. |
|
Spacing |
Provide space for tussocks and cushions to expand naturally. |
Why Choose Natives for Alpine Sites?
-
Perfectly adapted to extreme cold, wind, and UV exposure
-
Support fragile alpine ecosystems and prevent soil erosion
-
Create natural, resilient landscapes with minimal maintenance
-
Provide habitat for unique alpine fauna, including specialized insects and birds
-
Preserve the stunning biodiversity of New Zealand’s mountain environments