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New Zealand Native Ground Cover Plants

Muehlenbeckia axillaris growing as a ground cover.

Muehlenbeckia axillaris (Creeping Wire Vine)

Muehlenbeckia axillaris, commonly known as Creeping Wire Vine, is a hardy New Zealand native groundcover with wiry stems and small, dark green leaves. It forms a dense, mat-like spread ideal for covering banks, rockeries, or underplanting. Thriving in full sun to part shade and well-drained soil, it tolerates drought, wind, and coastal conditions once established. Its low-growing habit, adaptability, and resilience make it a popular, low-maintenance option for a wide range of garden settings.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Groundcover Plants
Height: 20 cm
Spread: 1.00 m
Flowering time: Summer
Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy, Wind
Garden uses: Banks, Borders, Paths & Steps
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Modern, Native
pimelea-mimosa--1

Pimelea mimosa (Pimelea)

Pimelea mimosa is a mat forming, NZ native, ground covering plant. It has soft, blue-grey leaves which are held on stems that tend to climb over objects. The plant becomes adorned with tiny, white flowers during summer. This evergreen typically grows to 30 cm tall and 80 cm wide, and performs best when grown in full sun on a well-drained soil. Pimelea mimosa is commonly used as a groundcover, added to coastal plantings, included in cottage gardens, planted around outdoor living areas, or mass planted on a bank.

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate
Plant type: Groundcover Plants
Height: 30 cm
Spread: 80 cm
Flowering time: Summer
Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy, Wind
Garden uses: Banks, Borders, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Pool areas
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Cottage, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern, Native
pratia-angulata-

Pratia angulata

Pratia angulata, commonly known as Panakenake, is a fast growing, NZ native ground cover plant. It carries small and rounded, green leaves which are...

From$16.20
coprosma-kirkii-1

Coprosma kirkii (Kirks Coprosma)

Coprosma kirkii, also known as Kirk's Coprosma, is a hardy New Zealand native groundcover featuring dense, spreading growth and small, olive-green...

From$17.94
Acaena inermis purpurea with small purple leaves.

Acaena purpurea (Piripiri)

Acaena purpurea, commonly known as Purple Bidibidi, Piripiri, or Purple Hakea, is a hardy, NZ native groundcover. The foliage comprises delicate...

From$21.54
pimelea-blue-peter-1

Pimelea prostrata Blue Peter (NZ Daphne)

Pimelea prostrata Blue Peter, commonly known as the NZ Daphne plant, is a mat forming, NZ native, ground cover plant. It has small, blue foliage...

From$22.20
coprosma-acerosa-hawera-5

Coprosma Hawera (Sand Coprosma)

Coprosma Hawera, also known as Sand Coprosma or Tātaraheke, is a hardy New Zealand native groundcover shrub featuring fine, green foliage on orange...

From$17.94
coprosma-kirkii-variegata--1

Coprosma kirkii Variegata

Coprosma kirkii Variegata is a ground cover plant that features horizontal, slender stems that host leaves that are variegated cream and green. It...

From$19.14
pratia-puberula-alba--1

Pratia puberula Alba (Isotoma fluviatilis)

Pratia puberula Alba, commonly known as the White Star Creeper, is a NZ native that is often grown as a hardy ground cover. The small leaves on this...

From$16.20
sophora-prostrata-7

Sophora prostrata (Prostrate Kōwhai)

Sophora prostrata is a low-growing, spreading native New Zealand Kowhai shrub prized for its delicate yellow flowers and dense foliage. Ideal for...

From$19.80
Arthropodium cirratum (Rengarenga) plants in flower with lush green foliage in a border garden.

Arthropodium cirratum (Rengarenga Lily)

Arthropodium cirratum, commonly known as Rengarenga Lily or New Zealand Rock Lily, is a clump-forming, evergreen perennial native to New Zealand. It...

From$13.14
leptospermum-wairere-

Leptospermum Wairere

Leptospermum Wairere, also known as Leptospermum scoparium Wairere, is a low-growing, spreading New Zealand native shrub celebrated for its profusion...

From$23.94
metrosideros-carminea-2

Metrosideros carminea (Crimson Rata Vine)

Metrosideros carminea, commonly known as the Crimson Rātā Vine or Akakura, is a stunning New Zealand native climber admired for its vibrant red...

From$22.74
Coprosma Poor Knights with lush green foliage.

Coprosma Poor Knights (Taupata)

Coprosma Poor Knights (Coprosma repens ‘Poor Knights’) is a resilient New Zealand native plant ideal for coastal and low-maintenance gardens. Its...

From$17.94
disphyma-australe-

Disphyma australe (NZ Ice Plant)

Disphyma australe, commonly known as the NZ Native Ice Plant, is a fast-growing groundcover that is found naturally along coast lines. Plants carry...

From$22.74
Carex trifida grass plants with blue-green foliage and brown flower heads.

Carex trifida

Carex trifida, commonly known as the Mutton Bird Sedge, is an attractive, NZ native, ornamental grass. It features arching, green-gold foliage that...

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Carex solandri grass in a NZ native planting.

Carex solandri

Carex solandri is a NZ native, ornamental grass that features attractive, dark green foliage. The foliage emerges upright and develops a gentle and...

From$13.80
Dianella nigra plant with masses of blue berries.

Dianella nigra (New Zealand Blueberry)

Dianella nigra, commonly known as the New Zealand Blueberry or Tūrutu, is a NZ native that features lush foliage and glossy berries that vary in...

From$13.80
leptinella-dioica-

Leptinella dioica (Bachelors Buttons)

Leptinella dioica (aka Cotula dioica), commonly known as Bachelors Buttons, is an herbaceous perennial native to New Zealand. It is a creeping and...

From$16.20
Anemanthele lessoniana grass with colourful, orange and green foliage growing in a pot.

Anemanthele lessoniana (Pheasant's Tail Grass)

Anemanthele lessoniana, also known as Pheasant's Tail Grass or New Zealand Wind Grass, is a graceful, clump-forming ornamental grass native to New...

From$16.74
Orange foliage on Carex testacea.

Carex testacea

Carex testacea, commonly known as the Orange Sedge, is a striking New Zealand native grass-like sedge characterised by its fine, arching foliage that...

From$12.60
leptinella-pusilla-

Leptinella pusilla (Purple Brass Buttons)

Leptinella pusilla, commonly known as the Purple Brass Buttons plant, is an herbaceous perennial native to New Zealand. It is a creeping and somewhat...

From$16.20
Carex dipsacea plants as a mass planting in a garden.

Carex dipsacea (Teasel Sedge)

Carex dipsacea is a fine-leaved, clump-forming sedge native to New Zealand. It features slender, green to bronze-tinted foliage and grows to...

From$12.90
Carex flagellifera Green plant with lush and colourful foliage.

Carex flagellifera Green

Carex flagellifera Green is a NZ native, ornamental grass grown for its attractive foliage. It produces slender and lush, green leaves as it grows to...

From$12.90
Arthropodium Matapouri Bay plant with  lush green foliage and masses of white flowers.

Arthropodium Matapouri Bay (Rengarenga Lily)

Arthropodium Matapouri Bay is a variety of the commonly known Renga Renga Lily, featuring mid-green leaves with a graceful and elegant arch. It...

From$13.14
Coprosma 'Black Cloud' shrub in a garden with black and green foliage.

Coprosma Black Cloud (Black Coprosma)

Coprosma Black Cloud is a compact, evergreen New Zealand native shrub renowned for its dense, dark brown to black foliage. Growing up to 70 cm tall...

From$17.94
carex-everest-

Carex Everest (Japanese Sedge Plant)

Carex Everest features grass like leaves that are variegated with dark green centres and silver-white edges. It typically grows to 35 cm tall and the...

From$23.40
Carex secta plant in a garden.

Carex secta (Swamp Sedge)

Carex secta, commonly known as Pukio or Swamp Sedge, is a striking New Zealand native sedge with bright green, arching foliage that forms large...

From$12.90
leptospermum-martini-

Leptospermum Martini

Leptospermum Martini is a compact and hardy New Zealand native shrub valued for its dense foliage and delicate flowers. Ideal for smaller gardens...

From$23.94
Leptospermum scoparium (Manuka) shrubs in a native reserve.

Leptospermum scoparium (Manuka)

Leptospermum scoparium, commonly known as Manuka or New Zealand Tea Tree, is a hardy native shrub prized for its aromatic foliage and masses of white...

From$23.40
A lush Coprosma repens shrub growing in a shaded position.

Coprosma repens (Mirror Plant)

Coprosma repens, also known as Taupata or Mirror Plant, is a robust New Zealand native shrub featuring lush, glossy green foliage. Growing up to 3...

From$19.14
Ajuga reptans variegata foliage.

Ajuga reptans variegata (Variegated Bugleweed)

Ajuga reptans variegata, commonly known as Bugleweed, Common Bugle, or Carpet Bugle, is a quick growing, ground covering plant that features...

From$15.54
Muehlenbeckia axillaris (Creeping Wire Vine)

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Acaena, Ajuga, Anemanthele, Arthropodium, Carex, Coprosma, Dianella, Disphyma, Leptinella, Leptospermum, Metrosideros, Muehlenbeckia, Pimelea Pratia and Sophora, or related Categories - Flaxes, Grasses, Groundcover Plants, Perennials Evergreen Shrubs and Succulents.

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