Bonsai Kowhai NZ

Native NZ Kowhai Tree is one of the most iconic trees of NZ with its flowers often being referred to as NZ's national flower. Flowering in late winter well before other species. the Kowhai Tree gets its name from the shiny gold flowers that have made them a national icon.   Currently in wee flowers, but we cannot promise they will be there when it arrives at its destination - flowers come and go :)

For more information about gifting Kowhai Trees and their symbolism is available on our blog post

The Bonsai Kowhai you are purchasing is approximately 2.2 yo old as shown in the photograph (Native Kowhai Dragons Gold).  Bonsai Kowhai, being a living tree must be kept outdoors.

Released 15/2/2024

Comes in high glaze deep red/brown rectangle bonsai pot as pictured.  Kowhai Trees are outdoor Bonsai only - not to be kept indoors (35cm tall).  

Each Bonsai NZ tree comes with full care instructions and your personalised gift message entered during the checkout process.  Bonsai are outdoor plant gifts.

Order before 2:30pm for same day dispatch from our offices or select the date for delivery at checkout. For standard delivery time frames around NZ please see our Delivery Information page. 

Trees must be kept outdoors, if you are looking for an indoor plant, please select from our Air Plant or Terrarium Category

Ake Ake (Native) 

Native to NZ the Purple Ake Ake (Dodonaea Viscosa Purpurea) is a stunning feature tree.  Colour (deep purple-red) varies on the soil type / conditions and the climate planted and thrives in even the poorest soil conditions / dry.  The tree can be grown nationwide and withstands moderate frost temperatures.   Can be trimmed and sculptured or left to grow into a large tree.

Grows up to 8m tall can be trimmed and shaped
Tolerates Mild Frosts / Poor Soil / Dry / Coastal Conditions
Suitable for planting throughout NZ outdoors in garden settings 
Symbolisation / Translation in Maōri - "Forever and ever"

Camellia (Colours & Variety changes throughout the year)

Camellia produces good-sized flowers during mid-March to early June. Slow growing, upright to spreading shrub or small tree with age. Oval, glossy leaves and profuse winter to spring blooming flowers in milder climates.

Grows up to 1.5m
Suitable for planting throughout NZ outdoors in both container and garden
Symbolising:  Love & Affection

Our large planter Camellias come in a range of colours, we always hand pick the best across our range to send for you - if you are looking for a specific colour please call 0800 87 33 44 prior to ordering.  Current smaller variety - Yuletide (Red)

Feijoa (Sellowiana / Unique) - Only available in large Planters (Sold Out)

The Feijoa is an evergreen shrub which originates from South America. It is both a useful landscape ornamental plant with its showy flowers against its grey/green foliage and provides fantastic fruit for eating.  All Tree Gift Feijoa Tres are self-fertile.

Grows up to 3m
Suitable for planting throughout NZ outdoors in both container or garden

Kowhai (Dragon's Gold) - Dwarf Variety  

Kowhai is famous for its beautiful brilliant yellow racemes of nectar-rich flowers, which appear in early spring.  They are a favourite food for NZ native birds such as the Tui and Wood Pigeon. Kowhai is an evergreen variety producing greenish yellow leaves over a long period from winter until mid-spring.

Dragons Gold - Grows up to 2m 
Suitable for planting throughout NZ outdoors in both container or garden

Note: During the months of May - August and again in November- December Kowhai will likely be smaller than that pictured when offered, this is as the growth slows in the winter and heat of summer months - however, of course they will grow - the beauty of a tree gift!. 

In February-May the variety on our website differs to Microphylla Tetraptera which grow at this time of year. They are a small leaf variety with zig zagging branches.


Lemon (Meyer / Eureka/ Yen Ben) (Changes seasonally - (during winter months Lemons will be smaller as this is not their growing season)

Lemons are one of the easiest and most reliable fruiting trees for NZ gardens. The clean, dark green foliage forms a medium sized plant with waxy white fragrant flowers which appear in spring, summer and autumn. 

Grows up to 1.5m 
Suitable for planting throughout NZ outdoors in both container and garden

Lime (Tahitian / Bearss)

Lime trees are vigorous trees with bold dark green leaves which are slightly serrated at the edges. The fruit are small to medium in size, with thin skin turning a pale yellow at maturity. The Lime's flesh is wonderfully juicy and is without seed. Fruit ripens in winter and is a fabulous addition to any garden. Tree Gifts NZ sends both Tahitian and Bearss Lime dependent on season.

Grows up to 1.5m 
Suitable for planting throughout NZ outdoors in both container and garden

Magnolia (Figo Port Wine smaller and Little Gem in large seasonally)

Magnolias are evergreen and one of the first trees to lift the veil of winter, their fresh and vibrant flowers gracing bare branches in spring. Flowering early in the season, with their thick, waxy petals forming goblets on bare branches, a mature magnolia in full bloom is a breath-taking sight.  

Other varieties such as Mixed Up Miss and Yunnanesis are often available in our large planter tree gift boxes throughout the year when available - they will be listed by their name on the product page when purchasing if available.

Grows 5m +
Suitable for planting throughout NZ in garden settings.
Symbolising:  Something long lasting and held dear within the heart.

Olive (Barnea & El Greco, J2, seasonally)

To be admired for its soft grey-green foliage, blending well with other colours in the garden. The attractive smooth grey trunks and branches take on a gnarled, twisted look when this tree reaches maturity. The Olive is not only grown for its beauty but also for its very distinctive culinary fruit and oil. Olive trees prefer full sun and do not tolerate cold winters or having "wet feet".

Grows up to 1.5m 
Suitable for planting throughout NZ outdoors in both container or garden
Symbolising:  Peace, Unity, Strength & Healing.

Please note - If you are wanting to get an Olive Tree to keep indoors you will need to look for a Dwarf Olive (we do not sell these ourselves), indoor Olives require a good 5-6 hours of sunlight a day.  All of our Olives must be kept outdoors.

Pohutukawa - Variety will be noted on page

The Pohutukawa tree has a deep spiritual meaning for Māori which connects the beginning and ending of human life. In mythology, the red flowers of the tree represent the blood of the warrior Tawhaki, a spirit ancestor who showed the way from earth to heaven but fell and died.

Suited for planting outdoors at the top of South & North Island Coastal Areas
Symbolising:  The beginning & end of life

Singles - Tahiti - Small growing Dwarf variety a fantastic flowering shrub that's ideal in pots or in a hedge or screen, and is easy to care for. Its leathery leaves makes it wind tolerant and protects it in extreme salty environments, so they're perfect for exposed coastal areas. Grows 1m.

Tea Tree - NZ Native Mānuka & NZ Native Kanuka

Originating in New Zealand the Tea Tree is a compact shrub with an abundance of double pink or white flowers with tiny grey-green leaves. Growing quickly, it enjoys partial to full sun in a range of soils from acid to neutral. Manuka typically present as 2-3 smaller branches in their growth, Kanuka a central trunk.

Growing up to 3m
Suitable for planting throughout NZ outdoors in both container and garden
Great for NZ's Struggling Bee Population!  

Trees may vary in size from those pictured on our website due to the growing nature of the trees within the seasons.  Rest assured, we will always select the very best tree for your gift from our nursery and of course, being a living tree (they will grow ... unlike flowers which, lets face it won't see two weeks from now!)