The story of Flying Dragon Nursery is a journey of transformation, blending a forty-year horticultural legacy with a modern, forward-thinking vision.

The Foundations and Innovation

The nursery’s history began in the 1980s in Kerikeri, Northland. It earned its name by pioneering the introduction of the "Flying Dragon" dwarf rootstock to New Zealand. This revolutionised home gardening, allowing New Zealanders to grow heavy-cropping citrus in compact spaces, making fresh fruit accessible to those with urban gardens or small balconies.

A New Era: 2022 and Beyond

In 2022, the nursery entered a significant new chapter with a change in ownership. Under this new leadership, the business underwent a major strategic shift. Historically, Flying Dragon operated almost exclusively as a citrus wholesaler, providing stock to other retailers. Recognising the growing demand for specialty plants, the new owners transitioned the business into a dedicated online retailer. This change allowed the nursery to connect directly with gardeners across the country, shipping rare and high-quality specimens from the Northland hills straight to doorsteps nationwide.

Expanding Horizons and Preservation

Since the transition, the nursery has entered a phase of rapid expansion. The focus has shifted toward becoming a hub for variety development and preservation.

• Preserving the Past: The nursery is committed to maintaining older, heirloom varieties that risk being lost to the commercial market. By continuing to graft and cultivate these "heritage" plants, they ensure that unique flavors and hardy genetics remain available for future generations.

• Innovating for the Future: Expansion is constant, with a focus on sourcing and trialing new subtropical and tropical fruits. As a hub for rare and exotic fruit trees including exclusive citrus releases, exotic Annona species, rare dragon fruit, and unusual premium avocado varieties, the nursery is dedicated to testing what can truly thrive in the New Zealand climate.

The Flying Dragon Mission

Today, Flying Dragon Nursery remains a specialised, hands-on operation. Whether it is refining grafting techniques for the perfect avocado or releasing a new variety of mandarin, the mission remains the same: to provide New Zealanders with the highest quality, most unique edible plants possible. By combining the wisdom of the original founders with a modern e-commerce approach, the nursery continues to grow as a leader in New Zealand’s subtropical gardening scene.