Supporting New Zealand’s Largest Planting Projects
At Riverside Horticulture, we grow plants with purpose — not just for landscapes, but for long-term environmental impact, commercial success, and the regeneration of whenua across Aotearoa. Over the years, we’ve become a trusted supplier for some of the country’s largest native restoration projects, commercial landscape developments, and forestry planting programmes.
Behind every plant that leaves our nursery is a system built on scale, reliability, traceability, and care — and a team that genuinely understands what’s at stake in large planting projects. Whether the end goal is ecological, aesthetic, or production-driven, our role is the same: to deliver high-quality plants that thrive, supported by a process our clients can rely on.
Large Nursery, Proven Systems
Riverside is one of the largest dedicated nurseries in the South Island. We’ve developed our operation with scalability and consistency in mind, using modern infrastructure and efficient systems to meet the high demand of multi-year planting projects. Our nursery is designed to handle a diverse and growing client base — from infrastructure landscaping companies to iwi-led restoration projects and private forestry blocks.
Across our site, you'll find well-structured growing areas, purpose-built irrigation systems, and protected environments for propagation and early growth. We've also invested in modern equipment and nursery technology to streamline our workflow — enabling us to manage everything from fine seed sowing to dispatch with both speed and accuracy.
But size isn’t the only thing that matters. Just as critical is our ability to manage detail at every step. We’ve built our systems to ensure traceability, timely communication, and flexibility — the things that matter most when you're planting at scale or delivering into complex project environments.
Eco-Sourcing and Traceability: Getting it Right from the Start
For clients working on native restoration, biodiversity offsets, or carbon planting, traceability is crucial. That’s why we operate a comprehensive eco-sourcing and record-keeping system that tracks each plant from seed collection through to dispatch. This allows us to provide detailed reporting on provenance — something increasingly important for compliance, cultural integrity, and ecological success.
We work with a network of collectors and supply seed zones across the country to ensure we can meet regional planting requirements. Our seed lots are catalogued, and clients are informed of species availability and timelines up front. Once growing begins, we provide regular updates throughout the process — from germination reports to delivery schedules — so that every stakeholder knows what’s happening on the ground.
While eco-sourcing and traceability are especially critical for native planting, we apply the same level of rigour to all projects. Whether it’s a commercial landscape installation, riparian buffer, council park upgrade, or a forestry planting, we grow to specification and timeline — and we’re transparent every step of the way.
Trusted by Major Restoration and Landscape Projects
Riverside has supplied some of New Zealand’s most ambitious planting programmes in recent years. We’ve worked with landcare groups, regional councils, iwi, government-funded initiatives, and large commercial contractors across the country.
Projects such as large catchment restorations in the Hurunui District, cultural carbon offsetting on Banks Peninsula, and biodiversity planting across Otago have relied on us not just for plants, but for scale, continuity, and problem-solving. In some cases, this has involved coordinating helicopter delivery into steep terrain; in others, it’s meant contract growing for multiple years, with scheduled deliveries to align with planting windows and contractor availability.
We’ve also supplied large volumes of plants for infrastructure and urban landscaping projects — including motorways, subdivisions, and public spaces — working with some of the country’s leading landscape and civil contractors. These clients rely on us for quantity, quality, and on-time dispatch. Our ability to grow to brief and respond quickly to changes in project scope is a major reason we’re trusted to deliver.
Forestry Seedlings and Production Plantings
In addition to restoration and landscaping, Riverside also grows exotic forestry and production seedlings. This includes species such as Eucalyptus and Sequoia sempervirens (coast redwood), which are used in timber trials and commercial forestry blocks throughout the country. We grow these under contract for companies like Southwood Export and others seeking reliable supply of uniform, high-performing seedlings.
Our forestry clients value the same things as our restoration and landscaping partners: traceability, consistent quality, strong root structure, and timely delivery. With our capacity and infrastructure, we’re well equipped to support large-scale, multi-year planting programmes with confidence and efficiency.
A Team That Knows Plants — and Projects
None of this would work without our team. From our propagation specialists to our delivery drivers, Riverside is staffed by people who understand the practical realities of getting plants from seed to site.
We don’t just grow plants — we partner with our clients to help them succeed. That means open communication, proactive updates, and solving problems before they become delays. Many of our long-term clients choose us because they know we’ll be upfront about timelines, quality, and availability. If something changes, we let them know — and work together to find a solution.
It’s this transparency that sets us apart. When we grow for a project, we treat it like our own — taking care to ensure the right species, in the right quantities, are ready at the right time. For many clients, especially those managing large or remote planting sites, that reliability is invaluable.
Delivering Nationwide
Our nursery is based in Canterbury, but our reach is national. We regularly dispatch orders across the South and North Islands and work with freight partners to ensure safe, efficient delivery — whether that’s to a suburban site or the top of a ridgeline accessible only by helicopter.
We’ve developed logistics plans for everything from bulk trailer loads to staggered, site-by-site deliveries. And when it matters most — such as during tight seasonal windows or in remote locations — we make it happen. That’s what delivering at scale really means.
Ready to Grow With You
Whether you’re restoring a catchment, planting a subdivision, establishing a carbon forest, or creating a public greenspace, Riverside Horticulture is ready to grow with you. We offer more than plants — we offer systems, experience, and a genuine partnership.
Talk to us today about how we can help deliver your next large-scale project.