Hi Tui, what plants can you plant under a Pohutakawa tree as all our plants keep dying. Thanks.

Hi Rosemary, under-plantings are always difficult as the trees take a lot of nutrients and moisture out of the soil, as well as creating shade. There are hardy NZ natives that will grow in shade, they are Renga Renga lily (Arthropodium); Coprosma the low growing prostrate variety, preferably with the larger leaf rather than the small leaf varieties; Corokia; Libertia; Chatham Islands Forget-me-not; Hen & Chicken fern is particularly hardy, other ferns as long as there is enough water; Fuchsia; Low growing hebes. Prostrate leptospermum (manuka); Grasses such as carex. Not a NZ native, clivias survive low shade and dry soils very well.

To get these plants established, a raised bed will need to be created underneath the pohutukawa as they have a very fibrous root system there is very little soil for plants to grow into. The roots are going to invade this raised bed, so it is important that mulch or garden mix is continually added to the garden. Consider adding a watering system as this area will dry out quickly, feed plants with a general purpose fertiliser to compensate for the nutrients the pohutukawa will extract from the soil. Keep the pohutukawa trimmed to allow enough light and moisture in. Regards, The Tui Team.