• New Zealand flaxAnna Yu/Photodisc/Getty Images
  
  New Zealand is not a tropical paradise, as some might imagine, but instead has diverse landscapes and varying climates ranging from the sub-tropical north to the cooler alpine areas. With this range in climate zones comes an equally diverse plant life. If you are looking for the more tropical plants of the country, you will find that most are greenery -- trees and fern type plants. There are, however, some beautiful tropical flowers that you might consider adding to your garden.
  
  

Kakabeak

• Kowhai ngutukaka, also known as kakabeak, is a bush-like plant located throughout New Zealand. The plant produces big red colored flowers that grow in groups of 15 or more. The plant's blooms open in the spring and the plant itself grows to heights of 8 to 10 feet. New kakabeak are produced from long stems that grow from the main plant or from the seeds that develop in the seed pods.
  
  The plants that develop from the stems develop after the stems touch the soil and root where they lay. Kakabeak prefer sunny locations and can be found cliffs or near lakes and streams. The seeds can last up to 30 years and still germinate, allowing the plant to propagate whenever the conditions are best.
  
  

Renga Renga Lily

• The Arthropoduim cirratum, better known as renga renga lily, is a strong flower that can grow in many climates such as the coastal area and higher cliffs. The plant's long leaves are grouped together and fan out in all directions and it blooms white flowers from November through January. The plant reaches a height and width of around 2 feet. As a bonus the renga renga lily keeps its green leaves year round and can adapt to shade, full sun, dry soil and wet soil.
  
  

Mistletoe

• There are several varieties of mistletoe native to New Zealand, many of which grow in the Auckland and Northland areas, the most northern, and warmest part of the country. Mistletoe here includes the green varieties Ileostylus micranthus and Tupeia antarctica, red mistletoe Peraxilla tetrapetala, and dwarf mistletoe Korthalsella salicornioides. The green mistletoe is located in small areas of the islands near Auckland as well as other mainland locations. Tupeia requires plenty of light and lives in the host tree maire, while the Ileostylus lives in totara and kanuka trees.
  
  Red mistletoes are also in isolated areas of the northern region, such as Little Barrier Island, while the dwarf is more prevalent and found not only in Auckland but also in several mainland locations, as well as on Little and Great Barrier islands. Small berries form on the mistletoe, which needs a host tree or bush to survive.