Whakatō tipu ā-takiwā ake Plant with locally sourced plants

If you want to restore your garden or backyard, use native plants grown from local seeds. The plants should be sourced from the ecological district you are planting in. This is called ecosourcing.

Ecosourced plants:

• preserve an area's ecological history and maintain local biodiversity
• survive and adapt better to local conditions
• preserve the distinct features of its kind growing in Auckland.

Plants of the same species but sourced from different localities vary in characteristics, including growth rate and tolerance of environmental conditions.

They may have the same name but have subtle genetic differences.

This is because every ecological district has a unique:

• topography Topography is the physical features of an area, for example its hills, valleys or rivers.
• geology
• climate
• soils
• land use.

Buying from local nurseries does not guarantee locally sourced plants. Many Auckland nurseries sell plants originating from other parts of New Zealand.

Ask your nursery or local garden centre if they stock or can provide ecosourced plants for your planting area.

They should be able to tell where in Auckland the seeds originated from. This will help you to determine if the plants are suitable for the place you are planting them.

Alternatively, a nursery may be able to supply ecosourced plants for your specific project.

You can also collect seeds from the natural environment. Ask permission from the landowner first.

We encourage plants to be sourced from Plant Pass to ensure high biosecurity standards.

For more information on ecosourcing, read 'Ecosourcing - Protecting local biodiversity'.