Among the many treasures in Dunedin Botanic Garden are some of the most rare and wonderful plant species in the flora of Aotearoa: the offshore island plants. New Zealand's estimated 600 offshore islands are biodiversity havens, spread over 2800km from the almost-subtropical Kermadec Islands to the subantarctic Campbell Island group. A handful of offshore island species have become common in gardens, but many are unavailable in nurseries and notoriously difficult to grow. Subantarctic island species are successfully growing in the native collection too. -Kate Caldwell is curator of the native plant collection at Dunedin Botanic Garden.

Source: Otago Daily Times March 09, 2017 17:05 UTC