Using antipodean plants in British gardens may, at first, seem like inviting in aliens. But our gardening experience is significantly enriched by horticultural intercourse. After all, in most gardens native plants used ornamentally are in a minority. Stocking up on species from temperate regions of the world, and occasionally from the tropics, has been the norm for centuries.
Unexpectedly, many plants from Australia and New Zealand shine during the winter months. Most are evergreen, and while our usual herbaceous favourites are hibernating, their antipodean cousins come into their own.
Libertia peregrinans takes on an orange veneer when temperatures fall, and in most years a crop of equally orange seed pods clustered on straight stems adds a sculptural touch to the sharp, sword-like leaves. This is a colonising plant and the king clump will soon surround itself with an entourage of identically dressed courtiers. If you want to start a new court, detach rooted pieces in the spring. Right now, seed pods can be emptied of their orange seeds. These may be sown immediately on any good seed compost with a layer of grit over the top. Some years they will spring up rapidly while in others they need vernalisation, sticking the trays outside to let frost break down the seed coat, so that germination can take place. All libertias make stalwart clumps in sun or part shade.
Another architectural antipodean, Astelia nervosa also prefers a shady spot, although it is often dragged into the sunshine by insensitive garden designers. This is an outstanding all-the-year-rounder from New Zealand, where it thrives in moist, peaty sites in shade. Its arching pointed leaves have a metallic, reflective surface.
Another stunning silver for sun in gritty (though humus-rich) soil is Celmisia coriacea, whose near-white rosettes are topped by pure white daisies on woolly stems. Vary the texture with Muehlenbeckia complexa's dark, wiry stems and tiny leaves. 'Digger's Speedwell', Veronica perfoliata, has an intriguing form where the stems appear to puncture the rounded, glaucous leaves. A distinctive plant and, like most of its Aussie and Kiwi friends, more than welcome at the winter garden party.