These plants are known as cultivars - short for ''cultivated varieties''. Their sometimes descriptive, sometimes whimsical names have been given by the horticulturists who have bred or selected them.
Cultivars have attributes that are not typical of the species from which they originate.
They may have a different growth habit, bigger flowers, patterned or coloured leaves, or greater resistance to pests and diseases.
Cultivars can range from a plant that is fabulously lurid, bearing little superficial resemblance to the original species, to something that is just a bit more robust.
It may even be a bit smaller than its wild progenitor, and thus better suited to a home garden.
Roses and vegetables are examples of plants that are almost always grown in their cultivated forms, but if you like the idea of a native garden, there are many colourful hebes, manuka, flaxes and cabbage trees to play with.
Some people love to keep their gardens naturalistic, using only the colours and forms that are found in nature.
This is great, as there are plenty of amazing tones, textures and shapes in our native flora as it is, but if you are cultivar-curious, the border next to the car park in the upper botanic garden is dedicated to showcasing a variety of native cultivars.
- Kate Caldwell is curator of the native plant collection at Dunedin Botanic Garden.
