What to Grow, Where, and Why
Windy sites—such as coastal headlands, exposed hills, and ridge tops—pose challenges for many plants due to salt spray, drying winds, and physical damage. Choosing hardy native plants adapted to withstand these conditions helps protect the landscape, reduce soil erosion, and create resilient gardens.
What Makes Windy Sites Unique
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Exposure: Constant or frequent strong winds that can dry foliage and soil, physically damage plants, and carry salt spray near coasts.
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Soil Conditions: Often sandy, rocky, or well-drained soils with low fertility; may be prone to erosion.
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Climate Effects: Increased evapotranspiration rates lead to drier conditions even if rainfall is moderate.
What to Plant by Windy Site Type
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Site Type |
Best Plant Choices |
Why These Work |
|
Coastal dunes & headlands |
Spinifex sericeus, Pachystegia insignis, Coprosma repens, Disphyma australe, Muehlenbeckia complexa |
Salt- and wind-tolerant plants that stabilize sandy soils and withstand salt spray. |
|
Exposed ridges & hilltops |
Kunzea ericoides (Kānuka), Leptospermum scoparium (Mānuka), Ozothamnus leptophyllus (Tauhinu), Coprosma robusta |
Hardy, flexible shrubs that resist wind damage and provide shelter for other species. |
|
Urban windy sites |
Griselinia littoralis, Pittosporum eugenioides, Hoheria sexstylosa (Lacebark), Melicytus ramiflorus |
Adapt well to urban exposure, providing greenery and windbreaks in small gardens or streetscapes. |
Signature Wind-Tolerant Native Plants
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Olearia traversiorum (Chatham Island akeake) – Fast-growing, evergreen tree with leathery, wind-resistant leaves. Often used for shelterbelts in coastal and windy areas.
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Coprosma propinqua – Densely branched, hardy shrub great for shelter and soil binding in windy areas.
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Kunzea ericoides (Kānuka) – Fast-growing, wind-resilient shrub for exposed hills and regenerating areas.
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Leptospermum scoparium (Mānuka) – Hardy, fragrant shrub with flexible branches.
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Cordyline australis (Cabbage tree / Tī kōuka) – Wind-hardy and adaptable to various conditions; tall with flexible leaves that reduce wind resistance.
Planting Tips for Windy Sites
|
Tip |
Advice |
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Site preparation |
Shelter young plants initially with temporary windbreaks or nurse plants. |
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Planting time |
Early spring or autumn to avoid harsh summer winds or winter storms during establishment. |
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Mulching |
Use mulch to conserve moisture and reduce soil erosion. |
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Spacing |
Plant in clusters or staggered rows to create effective windbreaks and microclimates. |
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Watering |
Water well during establishment, especially in dry or windy periods. |
Why Choose Natives for Windy Sites?
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Naturally adapted to withstand wind, salt, and dry conditions
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Help stabilise soils and reduce erosion in exposed areas
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Create shelter for less hardy plants and native wildlife
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Require less maintenance and watering once established
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Support local biodiversity with plants that evolved in these conditions