New Zealand plants have a long history of cultivation overseas. In the UK one of the most well known New Zealand plants is the ‘Torquay palm’, which we know as the cabbage tree (Cordyline australis).
Cabbage trees, which botanically-speaking are not palms, were first grown in the UK in the early nineteenth century. This species grows particularly well in the mild climate along the southern coast. Their exotic look, which is quite unlike any native UK plants, has been used extensively in advertising Torquay as the English Riviera (such as these historic and contemporary Torquay adverts). Even the local radio station is called Palm FM.
Although I knew Torquay palms and other plants like hebes were popular in British gardens I had no idea just how ubiquitous New Zealand plants would be. Many UK gardens, particularly in the mild south-west, would not look out of place in New Zealand. New Zealand plants seem to thrive there and often look healthier than they do in New Zealand. It has been suggested that this may be a result of the absence of many of the pests and diseases that plague them back home in New Zealand, e.g. the cabbage tree moth.
Like cabbage trees, hebes (Veronica spp.) have a long history of cultivation in the UK and some cultivars have even been bred there. I saw many different hebe cultivars but it was those with white-flowers that seemed particularly popular, at least in Bristol where I was based.
Other New Zealand species I saw included flax (Phormium tenax), broadleaf (Griselinia littoralis) and kohukohu (Pittosporum tenuifolium). From my limited observations it appears that most New Zealand plants are planted for their foliage, rather than their flowers. Variegated and coloured forms of flax and cabbage tree were especially popular.
Some plants which I thought might be popular with UK gardeners, but was surprised not to see during my brief trip, are kowhai (especially the more compact Cook Strait kowhai or Sophora molloyi), crimson rata, kakabeak, Chatham Island forget-me-not, rengarenga lily, nikau and lancewood.