Spring in Auckland arrives early and reliably. With mild nights, warm days, and virtually no frosts, gardeners and landscapers can get a head start on planting compared to other regions of New Zealand. For those sourcing plants, September and October are the best months to establish structure in the garden, introduce colour, and prepare for a lush summer.

Concept Botanica supplies a wide range of plants suited to Auckland’s subtropical climate. Here’s a guide to what’s ideal to plant now;

Hedging and screening

Spring is one of the best times to establish hedging. Warm soils encourage root growth before the summer heat sets in. In Auckland, popular choices include:

  • Griselinia littoralis – Fast-growing, hardy, and a staple for coastal and urban gardens.
  • Camellia sasanqua – Provides glossy foliage and bursts of flowers in late winter to spring. Plant now for strong growth through summer.
  • Pittosporum varieties – Great for quick privacy screens with attractive foliage.
  • Buxus (Box hedge) – Best planted in spring while soils are moist, ideal for formal gardens.
  • Ficus Tuffi – A dense, evergreen hedging plant with emerald foliage that darkens with age.
  • Szyzgium resilience – A fast‑growing hedger with tightly packed foliage. Its compact habit, white flowers and pink berries combine with psyllid resistance and tolerance of most positions (including light frosts) to make it an excellent choice for hardy hedging and screening

Trees and shrubs

Spring planting helps trees and shrubs put on strong early growth. Options that thrive in Auckland’s mild climate include:

  • Magnolia – With their spectacular spring flowers, magnolias make a dramatic feature.
  • Michelia (Magnolia relatives) – Evergreen with fragrant blooms, ideal as small specimen trees.
  • Subtropical shrubs like hibiscus and tibouchina, which appreciate the early warmth of Auckland’s climate.
  • Natives such as hebe and coprosma – Hardy, low-maintenance shrubs that handle Auckland’s humidity well.

Perennials and groundcovers

For long-term colour and texture, spring is the season to establish perennials and groundcovers:

  • Agapanthus – Robust and drought-tolerant, with striking blue or white flowers in summer.
  • Clivia – A shade-loving perennial with bright orange blooms, perfect for underplanting.
  • Liriope and Ophiopogon (Mondo grass) – Excellent groundcovers for edging and mass planting.
  • Native groundcovers like coprosma repens, meuhlenbeckia and leptinella, which help suppress weeds and stabilise soil.

Climbers

With warm weather from September onward, climbers quickly establish and provide coverage before summer. Consider:

  • Trachelospermum jasminoides (Star jasmine) – Evergreen, fragrant, and versatile.
  • Bougainvillea – Thrives in Auckland’s subtropical climate, offering vibrant colour.
  • Passiflora (Passionfruit) – Productive climber for both fruit and foliage interest.

Palms, subtropicals and feature plants

Auckland’s climate is perfect for dramatic subtropical landscapes. Spring is an ideal time to plant these bold features:

  • Palms such as Phoenix canariensis (Canary Island date palm) or Chamaedorea species.
  • Cordyline australis (Cabbage tree) – Iconic native suited to modern or coastal designs.
  • Flax (Phormium) – Adds architectural structure, with colourful foliage options.
  • Banana (Musa) and other tropicals – Grow quickly in Auckland’s warmth and give instant impact.

Edibles

Spring is also a planting season for fruiting and edible plants that flourish in Auckland’s conditions:

  • Citrus trees – Lemons, limes, and mandarins establish quickly in frost-free Auckland.
  • Avocado – Auckland’s warm climate is perfect for this increasingly popular fruit tree.
  • Olives – Hardy, drought-tolerant, and ideal for Mediterranean-inspired plantings.
  • Herbs like rosemary, thyme, and mint can be planted year-round but thrive when planted in spring.

Tips for planting in Auckland spring

  1. Soil preparation – Auckland’s soils can be heavy clay in some areas; add compost and gypsum to improve structure and drainage.
  2. Mulching – Apply mulch around new plantings to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
  3. Irrigation – Even in spring, dry spells can strike. Establish irrigation early or hand-water regularly while plants settle.
  4. Stagger plantings – To ensure continuous impact, mix fast growers like pittosporum with slower-establishing feature plants.

Auckland’s spring climate is forgiving and full of opportunity. September and October are perfect months to plant hedges for structure, shrubs and perennials for colour, climbers for vertical interest, and subtropicals or palms for bold statements. Edibles like citrus and avocado also thrive when planted now.

With Concept Botanica’s broad range of sourced plants, covering hedging, shrubs, climbers, perennials, groundcovers, grasses, subtropicals, and edibles, you have everything you need to design and establish gardens that will flourish not only this summer, but for years to come.