Fernglen
Fernglen Native Plant Garden
This is an area devoted solely to the growing and
preservation of New Zealand plants. Consisting of
approximately 9 acres of Kauri Association bush,
roughly half an acre is under cultivation.
Well maintained walking tracks provide an excellent
opportunity to observe many interesting species including
two 300 year old kauri and ancient rimus clothed in
epiphytes.
Walks
The main walk is down the Kauri Ridge where kauri
trees of approximately 300 years old can be seen.
At the bottom there is a fine stand of nikau palms
and the New Zealand begonia Elatostema carpets
the ground. This was introduced from the Waitakere
ranges in the 1920’s. Dominating this area was
an impressive 300 year old rimu which provided
wonderful opportunities for epiphytes (Collospermum)
to flourish. This magnificent tree was unfortunately
brought down by a storm in recent years. Its remnants
can still be seen bridging the gully below.
A few metres from private property the track ascends a
steep ridge back to the gazebo. If one desires a longer walk,
at the bottom of the ridge cross the boardwalk and ascend
steps which will bring you out into a grove of young kauri
which were provided by the Birkenhead Rotary Club.
History
Fernglen, named after the family home in England,
was purchased by the Fisher family in July 1888.
The property consisted of a mix of native bush and
Native Plant
scrubland. Part of the scrubland was cleared for market
gardening and grazing, and the native bush area was
interplanted with pohutukawa, rimu and kahikatea in
Gardens
the early 1920s.
Fernglen has been used for education and research since
the 1920s by such people as T.F. Cheeseman of the
Auckland Museum, Professor Lancaster of the Auckland
University, H.B. Dobbie, Frank Fisher and his son William
and by Muriel Fisher.
The gazebo was constructed in memory of Dr Lucy
Moore, co-editor of “The Flora of NZ”, and gifted by Dr
Lucy Cranwell who wrote “The Botany of Auckland”
while botanist at the Auckland Museum in the 1930s.
The property was acquired in 1989 by the former
Birkenhead City Council, partially gifted by Muriel Fisher
and is open to the public from dawn to dusk.
Location
The entrance to Fernglen is located along the extension
of Kauri Road at 36 Kauri Road, Birkenhead.
Open 9am - 4pm.
Education and gardens available to school groups by
arrangement with North Shore Parks Department.
Enjoy a tranquil
native environment
Paper
North Shore City Council is committed to operating in the most
10-NSC-0390
sustainable way possible. We therefore specify the use of CoC
certified paper sourced from a responsibly managed forest for
all our printing.
Fernglen’s Latest Project - The Alpine House Offshore Islands Collection Dracophyllum and Fern Collection

We have aimed at creating an alpine environment.
Only a fraction of the North Island consists of alpine
regions, so it is the South Island with its hundreds of
peaks over 300m high which provide us with a wealth
of interesting and unusual plants.
On the low mound just inside the door you will see the rare
and endangered Chatham Island sow thistle (Embergia
grandiflora). Also from the same region is the soft-leaved
speargrass (Aciphylla dieffenbachii). Nearby is the native
foxglove (Ourisia macrocarpa) alongside the Akaroa daisy
(Celmisia mackaui).
Around the small pool and back towards the road is the
rock garden. Here are found plants rare in the wild such
as Elingamita johnsonii and Cordyline kasper from the
Three Kings, Xeronema callistemon from the Poor Knights
and Geranium traversii from the Chatham Islands.
Over towards the side of the house is the large Three Kings
Islands Tecomanthe speciosa which came as a cutting
from the DSIR at Mt Albert in the 1950s. This climbing
plant flowers profusely in early winter, drawing many tui
close to the house.
Against the rear wall of the house are ten different species
of the unusual Dracophyllum genus, the grass trees.
At the gate below the Tecomanthe turn right towards
the pohutukawa (planted in the 1920s). The track Ieads
through an area of Cordyline, astelias, nikau and ground
ferns down to the fern house. The fern house contains
such interesting species as the Prince of Wales’ feathers
(Leptopteris superba), kidney ferns (Trichomanes reniforme)
and the dainty Maiden Hair (Adiantum diaphanum).

The ‘mount’ portrays the various zones - grassland (Carex

species) at the base. Further up there is the sub-alpine
scrub consisting of Olearia macrodonta, Hebe cupressoides

D
and Hebe sub-alpina. Interspersed with sedges, Celmisia

OA
species (mountain daisies) represent the herb field.

IR
KAUR
Higher still you will see the North Island edelweiss and Rockgarden
the cushion plants (Raoulia) which grow up to the line of
perpetual snow.
Fern House

Surrounding the whole area is a combination of tussock Gazebo

grassland together with sub-alpine species - e.g. Ferns

Gaultheria and the handsome mountain cabbage tree. Sub-Alpine Plants

Also tucked away amongst the grasses and sedges are Mt Alpin
Housee
g
Parkin
Education Centre
Cook buttercups, the free-flowering Celmisia bonplandii,
which grows naturally on coastal rocks in the Clutha and Propogation Area

Catlins regions.

There are some very rare (as far as Auckland is concerned)

and unusual plants growing at eye level so they can be
seen easily. The genus Aciphylla is well represented and
we have some excellent specimens. Although these plants 3
belong to the parsley and carrot family, they have leaves 1
as sharp as bayonets. Just one example of many which
make up the New Zealand flora. Most of the plants on 2
display have been obtained from South Island nurseries.
Legend
Bridge
Steps
Walking Tracks
Entrances
1 Old Birkenhead swimming hole
2 Large Rimu
3 Water Source on old stock route