Aotearoa in Bloom

Description

A history, culture and practical uses of New Zealand’s flowers

Rachel Clare & Tryphena Cracknell

Lushly illustrated book about the history and uses of many of New Zealand’s native flowering plants and trees, including their significance in te ao Māori.

He puāwai, he kōrero. For every flower, a story.

Did you know that Aotearoa has more than 2000 species of flowering plants, and that more than 80 per cent of them are found nowhere else on Earth?

This book invites you on a botanical hīkoi through Aotearoa’s flowers. Discover where they grow, when they bloom, the roles they play in their ecosystems, and which ones you can grow in your garden. From native mistletoes and around 120 orchid species to the fuzzy edelweiss, the iconic pōhutukawa and the precious ngutukākā, which is almost extinct in the wild, you will learn about their ornamental and practical uses and their significance in te ao Māori.

Explore the stories behind their names and how these plants have taken root in our modern cultural identity. Combining photographs with historic botanical drawings, Aotearoa in Bloom weaves together stories of people and plants. Part social history, part gardening guide, this special book is a blossoming celebration of Aotearoa’s unique natural heritage.

ISBN 9781775542681

Format hardcover

Pages 289

Published March 2026