The Environment

Streamside planting guide

Christchurch’s Waterway Enhancement Programme

This Streamside Planting Guide has been developed as part of the Waterway Enhancement Programme in Christchurch, New Zealand.

The Programme is a partnership between the Christchurch City Council and local communities - with the aim of enhancing the health of our waterways and restoring their natural processes.

People throughout Christchurch are working together to:

• Protect natural areas
• Restore native habitat
• Enhance ecosystems for birds, fish, lizards and insects
• Create green linkages or corridors
• Restore waterways for people's enjoyment and sense of history

The streamside planting guide will help you know what to plant where*, and how to plant and maintain your streamside. You will be contributing to a natural, more sustainable Christchurch!

How to use this guide

Look at the river and stream profiles and decide which zone(s) you want to plant (e.g. lower bank).

Select the appropriate zone and look at the list of suitable plants. Choose the plants you wish to use. The profile diagrams show the plant's form and its preferred position(s) for planting.

Check the comments about the plant so that you get the shade, moisture and shelter conditions just right for the plants you have selected.

Follow the 10 steps to planting and maintaining your streamside.

There are a number of nurseries we are aware of that stock locally sourced plants, including DoC ( at Motukarara), WaiOra, Trees for Canterbury and Native Creations.

*N.B. These plants are adapted to Canterbury conditions and we recommend their use in Canterbury only.

Further Plant Lists

There is an exciting range of plants suited to gardens and areas beyond your streamside.

Enquire about these further plant species from the "Indigenous Ecosystem booklets, maps and charts" by Lucas Associates, and Meurk & Lynn (Landcare Research) available from Council Service Centres and the Civic Office in Tuam Street.

This information has been developed by:
Colin Meurk, Landcare Research
Lucas Associates and
Christchurch City Council Staff.

For more information, contact:
The Waterways Ecologist
City Environment
Christchurch City Council
Phone: 941 8999