The curved edges of the glossy, dark green leaves of Pseudopanax ‘Adiantifolius’ provide it with year round appeal. But it’s not just another pretty foliage plant in need of shelter and special conditions. In spite of its tropical look this is a hardy native shrub, tolerant of wind, drought, untroubled by light to moderate frosts, happy in sun or light shade and not at all fussy about soil type.

It’s attractive enough to grow on its own, useful as a gap filler in a hedge to maintain privacy, or as a focal point against a building or at the front gate. It also makes a great shrub to mix with other natives on a boundary for shelter and privacy. Combine it with such things as Pittosporum ‘Mountain Green’, Griselinia ‘Whenuapai’, a low growing Kowhai (Sophora) such as ‘Dragons Gold’, wiry stemmed Coprosma virescens and similarly distinctive foliage shrubs such as Corokias. Where there’s little frost, add the outstanding, large flowered and handsome foliaged pohutukawa (Metrosideros) ‘Springfire’ and if there’s virtually no frost include the big, bold leafed puka, Meryta sinclairii, in the mix.

Use Pseudopanax ‘Adiantifolius’ for a contrast of height and shape among compact native shrubs such as the dramatic, large, scarlet flowered kaka beak, Clianthus ‘Kaka King’, which flowers in spectacular style during winter and spring, and bushy hebes, such as the Jack Hobbs’ hybrid ‘Wiri Desire’ where frosts are light, or pale blue Hebe diosmifolia in cold winter areas. For an even more distinctive, decidedly Kiwi look, try combining Pseudopanax ‘Adiantifolius’ with silvery-grey leafed Brachyglottis ‘Otari Cloud’, which forms a rounded shrub, the flax-shaped, silvery foliaged Astelia ‘Silver Spear’ or more slender Astelia banksii, and the dwarf toi toi, Chionochloa flavicans.