About

We are a specialist native New Zealand plant nursery based in Dunedin and have been operating for 35 years.  Our aim is to grow a wide range of high quality natives including ferns, ground cover plants, shelter and screening shrubs and large growing specimen or forest trees.

Our plants are grown in Dunedin for Otago conditions and include plants for very exposed coastal sites; stunning architectural plants for the home garden; plants to encourage native birds such as tui, bellbirds and kereru; plants for forest or wetland revegetation projects; and species that will survive the climatic extremes of Central Otago.

Our staff have a wealth of native plant knowledge and can help you choose the right plants for any planting project, large or small.

Philip & Lynn Dunn

Philip and Lynn co-own the nursery and established it 35 years ago.  They are still actively involved in the day to day running of the business.  Philip has degrees in botany and zoology, and a good knowledge of local ecosystems and how they can be re-established or enhanced to improve wildlife values.  Philip and Lynn have a lifestyle block near the nursery with a wide range of natives in the garden and a few acres of regenerating bush.

Stephen Manning

Stephen has worked at Ribbonwood for 20 years and has a horticulture certificate as well as lots of practical nursery experience.  He has a special interest in maintaining infrastructure such as tunnelhouses, pumps and irrigation equipment, and he’s pretty handy on a digger too.

Neale McLanachan

Neale worked in a general Dunedin nursery for a number of years after leaving school.  Following a stint in a different industry, he returned to horticulture, completing an apprenticeship at the Dunedin Botanic Gardens.  He is passionate about native plants an enjoys helping customers with advice about plant selection and care.

Vanessa Healey

Vanessa gained a certificate in horticulture from Otago Polytechnic and has been working at the nursery for a number of years.  She often works on the propagation side and enjoys helping customers select the best plants for their particular situation.