The joker of the pack - Clematis afoliata

Clematis afoliata in full bloom. Photo by Nick Allen. https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/9177278

Out of the nine New Zealand indigenous Clematis species , this one is probably the most unusual.

As its name suggests, Clematis afoliata is distinguished by its lack of leaves, or more accurately, its leaves are severely reduced to petioles. Instead, photosynthesis is performed by its wiry green stems. This is the result of the plant adapting to its often harsh natural habitat of open ecologies; it occurs naturally in the rocky scrubland and grassland on the dry eastern flanks of the lower North Island and South Island.

The growth habit usually appears as a tangled mass bound together by spiralling tendrils. In a garden situation where it can be grown over a support, typically a size of about 2x2m can be reached.

To climb, Clematis employs a technique called haptotropism. This is a fascinating physiological function where a plant's directional growth responds to touch or contact with a solid object. When a tendril comes into contact with a support, it begins to coil or twine around it. Hormones such as auxin are released, which promotes cell elongation on the side of the tendril opposite the contact point, causing it to bend.

Leafless stems and intriguing-looking seed heads of Clematis afoliata. Photo by Jon Sullivan. https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/191453605

During  the springtime (October - November), this slender, scrambling vine is smothered in creamy, fragrant flowers and is a sight to behold!

This is followed by fruits in early summer and equally interesting seed heads with an ethereal quality to them.

Clematis afoliata's ethereal seed heads. Photo by Paul Bell-Butler https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/148346702

Although it is slow-growing, this pioneer species is used in early stages of ecological restoration projects. Its environmental services extend to providing habitat and shelter to other species of smaller insects and birds in its preferred open and exposed sites.

Leafless Clematis will provide plenty of intrigue for your garden visitors unaccustomed to our more bizarre native plant forms, and is well worth introducing into a coastal garden, if only as a conversation starter.

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Source: THE COASTAL GARDEN|DESIGN INSPIRATION FROM WILD NEW ZEALAND (GABITES,I. 2015, POTTON&BURTON)

iNaturalist, Wikipedia

True-Blue; the smallest fuchsia in the world - Fuchsia procumbens

Fuchsia procumbens,  flower with fully developed anthers and its hallmark - blue pollen. Photo by G. Schramayr https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuchsia_procumbens

Fuchsia procumbens is considered the smallest fuchsia in the world. It is one of three fuchsia species that have made New Zealand their home - a small disjunct population far away from their Central/South American relatives.

The blue pollen, which is one of the hallmarks of this group, is considered rare, produced by only a few species of plants. It is thought to be a unique adaptation, possibly to attract specific pollinators, with ultraviolet vision - a helpful mechanism in certain environments.

Endemic to New Zealand, it occurs naturally on the coast from the North Cape to the Coromandel, found in both, sandy and shingly beach ecosystems. Currently classified as being "At Risk" mainly due to loss of habitat.

The attractive flowers of Fuchsia procumbens bloom from September to May. Photo by Dominicus Johannes Bergsma https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuchsia_procumbens

Fuchsia procumbens grows to a width of approx. 1 metre and stays reasonably low - at about 20 centimetres, this brilliant ground-cover with its long, wiry stems winds its way through other plants and helps protect the soil from drying, caused by the sun and the wind.

Conspicuous crimson berries that follow the flowers are attractive to birds and lizards. Photo: https://www.aucklandbotanicgardens.co.nz/plants-for-auckland/plants/fuchsia-procumbens/

The relatively huge red berries follow the flowers in late autumn/early winter and are very attractive to birds and lizards, who disperse the seeds.

Bellbird with blue pollen on its face, attracted to the nectar of a tree fuchsia, kōtukutuku (Fuchsia excorticata) - the largest fuchsia in the world, also endemic to New Zealand. Photo by Steve Attwood. https://www.visitzealandia.com

It is most versatile in a garden situation, growing in both full sun and dappled shade, though its growth rate tends to be slower in full sun. For optimum growth, plant it in rich, free-draining soil and light shade. Fuchsia procumbens will not tolerate harsh frosts.

It is best planted where it can have free rein; its wiry stems can cascade down walls or over the side of a pot, allowing us a close encounter with their exquisite flowers that are held upright rather than drooping down, as is the case with all other fuchsia species.

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Source: 100 best native plants for New Zealand gardens (Eadie, F. 2014, Random House New Zealand); The Coastal Garden (Gabites, I. 2015, Potton & Burton); authoritative website of Auckland Botanic Gardens; en.wikipedia.org; authoritative website of Zealandia TE MĀRA A TĀNE

For those who detest consistency, particularly in the realm of horticulture - kaihua

A specimen from Kew's Herbarium - https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:80926-1

Kaihua, or to be precise and use the Latin nomenclature - Parsonsia heterophylla, is a climber endemic to New Zealand and one that displays many different leaf forms on the same plant! This is true while the plant is still in its juvenile stage; leaves can range from being short and round to sword-shaped. They may have smooth margins or be lobed, and then there is also the colour variation - from brown, through mottled, to a combination of both. This is a plant that can leave you ... well, guessing at least.

All of this changes, though, once this plant reaches maturity. The leaves become more uniform, leathery, dark green, and more or less elliptical in shape. This is also the time when kaihua starts to produce flowers. And it's definitely worth the wait. These sweetly scented clusters of tiny, creamy, tubular flowers adorn this plant from September to March. They are often seen draped over the tops of trees and climbing through shrubs in its preferred habitat - forest margins and clearings in coastal scrub patches throughout Aotearoa.

Clusters of sweetly scented flowers. Photo by Phil Bendle.

Pollination is ensured by the night-flying moths attracted by the scent, while the New Zealand bellbird (korimako) devours its sweet nectar during the day.

New Zealand bellbird (Anthornis melanura) male, Titritiri Matangi, off North Island, New Zealand. Photo by Charles J. Sharp https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Zealand_bellbird

Kaihua flowers are followed by fruit in the form of long, narrow pods that, once mature, open to release tufted seeds that are carried away by the wind.

Kaihua is an evergreen climber that climbs its host, or in a garden situation, a trellis perhaps, by twining its stems around the available support. While in the wild it can reach up to ten metres, in a garden this would be more limited. Easily controlled by pruning, it requires a cool, shaded root run, free draining soil is a must and it will toletrate very dry conditions as well as some degree of frost.

Parsonsia heterophylla thriving in a garden situation, quickly beautifying vertical surfaces. Photo by Gabriela V.

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Source:

100 best native plants for New Zealand gardens (Eadie, F. 2014, Random House New Zealand)

Nature guide to New Zealand forest (Dawson, J. & Lucas, R. 2000, Random House New Zealand)

Wikipedia

Authoritative website of The Royal Botanic Gardens Kew