Ground Cover Plants in New Zealand – Planting and Care Guide

Best Ground Cover Plants for New Zealand

Ground cover plants can be tailored to fit various garden styles, from modern minimalist to lush cottage gardens. They help in creating harmony and unity within the garden design, seamlessly integrating with other plant types. With an array of textures, colors, and growth habits, ground cover plants can define spaces, create borders, or even act as living mulch, reducing the need for additional materials. This series of articles suggests the best ground cover plants for New Zealand for a range of different soil and environmental conditions.

Native Ground Cover Plants

New Zealand is home to unique native flora, and using native ground cover plants can help promote local biodiversity. The most popular choices are Hebe and Coprosma which can tolerate a wide range of climates and growing conditions. Other popular NZ native ground covers include:

• Coprosma: There are two standout NZ native ground cover plants in the Coprosmas. The first is Coprosma Hawera. This stunning variety is low-growing and produces yellow-green foliage. The second is Coprosma Poor Knights. This variety produces lush, dark green foliage and can cover large areas quickly. Both these Coprosmas are hardy plants that will tolerate a wide range of soil conditions and can be grown throughout NZ.
• Myosotidium: The Chatham Island Forget Me Not has lush green leaves and beautiful blue flowers. It thrives in shade.
• Fuchsia procumbens: Fuchsia procumbens produces delicate green leaves and dainty flowers. This NZ native ground cover plant is perfect for shaded areas.
• Pratia: The various Pratia species are very popular as ground cover plants. The stems take root as they creep across the ground. White flowers adorn the plants through spring and summer on this ground hugging plant.
• Leptospermum Pink Cascade has sprawling stems and masses of pink flowers.
• Acaena 'Purpurea' and other varieties of Acaena are low growing and colourful.
• Muehlenbeckia axillaris is very hardy and can tolerate foot traffic and coastal environments.
• Coprosma kirkii 'Variegata' is also tolerant of foot traffic and is incredibly hardy.
• Mass plantings of grasses such as Festuca glauca, Poa cita, Dwarf Toe Toe, or Chionochloa rubra can also serve as effective ground cover plants.

These are just a sample of the ground cover plants we have available in NZ. You can find a lot more options for ground cover plants by using our Plant Finder Tool. Simply turn on the filter for groundcover and NZ native, then add more filters as you need to find the perfect ground cover plant for your needs!

Australian Native Ground Cover Plants

The popular Australian native ground cover plants are typically the Grevilleas, Correa, Westringia, and Myoporum. Some popular options include:

• Casuarina 'Cousin It' features slender, dark green foliage held on prostrate stems. It grows as a small mound.
• Westringia Mundi has elegant green foliage and masses of small white flowers.
• Grevillea 'Bronze Rambler' and Grevillea 'Gaudichaudi' produce colourful foliage and small, spider-like flowers.
• Grevillea 'Mt Tamboritha' is a smaller growing Grevillea with slender foliage and impressive pink flowers.
• Correa 'Limelight' features elegant foliage and pretty green flowers.

These are just a sample of the Australian native ground cover plants we have available in NZ. You can find a lot more options for ground cover plants by using our Plant Finder Tool. Simply turn on the filter for groundcover then add more filters as you need to find the perfect ground cover plant for your needs!

Driveway Ground Cover

For areas like driveways that experience foot traffic, you need tough and resilient plants. Creeping Thyme and is an excellent choice as it can withstand being stepped on and releases a pleasant scent when crushed. Its low-growing habit makes it perfect for filling gaps between paving stones or covering areas where grass might struggle to grow. Muehlenbeckia axillaris and Coprosma kirkii 'Variegata' is also tolerant of foot traffic and is incredibly hardy.

If foot traffic is not a problem, then popular choices include Coprosma Poor Knights, Cerastium 'Snow In Summer', Ajuga, and Creeping Thyme. They are quite different options but certainly bring that wow factor to an entrance as they complement taller species.

You can find a lot more options for driveway ground cover plants by using our Plant Finder Tool. Simply turn on the filter for groundcover and then add more filters as you need to find the perfect ground cover plant for your needs!

Drought Tolerant Ground Cover

With changing weather patterns, choosing drought-tolerant plants is wise. Such plants require minimal watering and can survive prolonged periods without rain. The most popular drought tolerant ground cover is Sedum. This succulent has small and fleshy leaves in a range of colours from yellow through to purple.

While Sedum’s are at the top of the list, there are other popular ground cover plants that can tolerate extended dry periods:

• Juniperus procumbens Nana is an elegant conifer that grows with a prostrate growth habit.
• Casuarina 'Cousin It' features slender, dark green foliage held on prostrate stems. It grows as a small mound.
• Westringia Mundi has elegant green foliage and masses of small white flowers.
• Grevillea 'Bronze Rambler' and Grevillea 'Gaudichaudi' produce colourful foliage and small, spider-like flowers.
• Mass plantings of grasses such as Festuca glauca, Poa cita, Dwarf Toe Toe, or Chionochloa rubra can also serve as effective ground cover plants.

These are just a sample of the ground cover plants we have available in NZ. You can find a lot more options for ground cover plants by using our Plant Finder Tool. Simply turn on the filter for groundcover and then add more filters as you need to find the perfect ground cover plant for your needs!

Flowering Ground Cover Plants NZ

For those looking to add colour with flowering ground cover plants there are many options. Some of the more popular choices include:

• Aubrieta and Creeping Phlox are excellent choices for flowering ground cover plants. These plants produce beautiful flowers in a variety of colors, including pink and lilac, which can brighten up any garden space.
• Star Jasmine is perfect for providing lush foliage and fragrant flowers for long periods.
• Cotoneaster dammeri has dark green foliage which becomes adorned with beautiful white flowers.
• Ajuga produce short flower spikes and lush and colourful foliage and blue or pink flowers.
• Gardenia radicans has lush green foliage and fragrant white flowers.
• Leptospermum Pink Cascade is a NZ native with sprawling stems and masses of pink flowers.
• Lithodora Grace Ward has elegant blue flowers with dark green foliage.
• Rosmarinus prostrata is a prostrate variety of Rosemary and not only is an elegant ground cover plant, but can be used for culinary purposes also.

These are just a sample of the flowering ground cover plants we have available in NZ. You can find a lot more options for ground cover plants by using our Plant Finder Tool. Simply turn on the filter for groundcover and then add more filters as you need to find the perfect ground cover plant for your needs!

Ground Cover for Clay Soil and Shade

If your garden has clay soil and shady areas, consider choosing plants that thrive in these conditions. Plants like Hosta, Heuchera, and Ajuga are excellent options as they tolerate shade and can tolerate heavy soils. Their lush foliage and variety of leaf colors add visual interest to otherwise challenging garden areas. They can also complement other shade-loving plants to create a layered effect in your garden.

You can find a lot more options for ground cover plants that like shade by using our Plant Finder Tool. Simply turn on the filter for groundcover and the one for shade, then add more filters as you need to find the perfect ground cover plant for your needs!

Ground Cover Plants Between Pavers

The key to success with ground cover plants between pavers is to have low-growing, hardy plants that can tolerate a degree of foot traffic. The most popular options are:

• Mondo Grasses are by far the most widely used plants between pavers. Black Mondo Grass and the dwarf Mondo grass, Ophiopogon 'Kyoto', and the most popular.
• Creeping Thyme features small, green foliage which becomes adorned with pink, white, or red flowers during spring and summer. These are a colourful option for between pavers.
• Dymondia margaretae features silver foliage and elegant yellow flowers. It is hardy to a wide-range of climates and soils.
• Pratia: The various Pratia species are very popular as ground cover plants. The stems take root as they creep across the ground. White flowers adorn the plants through spring and summer on this ground hugging plant.

These are just a sample of the ground cover plants we have available in NZ. You can find a lot more options for ground cover plants by using our Plant Finder Tool. Simply turn on the filter for groundcover then add more filters as you need to find the perfect ground cover plant for your needs!

Ground Cover Plants for Full Sun

If your garden is exposed to full sun, you'll need plants that can thrive in these conditions. Popular choices include:

• Leptospermum Pink Cascade has sprawling stems and masses of pink flowers.
• Muehlenbeckia axillaris is very hardy and can tolerate foot traffic and coastal environments.
• Grevillea 'Bronze Rambler' and Grevillea 'Gaudichaudi' produce colourful foliage and small, spider-like flowers.
• Rosmarinus prostrata is a prostrate variety of Rosemary and not only is an elegant ground cover plant, but can be used for culinary purposes also!
• Juniperus procumbens Nana is an elegant conifer that grows with a prostrate growth habit.
• Casuarina 'Cousin It' features slender, dark green foliage held on prostrate stems. It grows as a small mound.
• Westringia Mundi has elegant green foliage and masses of small white flowers.
• Grevillea 'Bronze Rambler' and Grevillea 'Gaudichaudi' produce colourful foliage and small, spider-like flowers.
• Mass plantings of grasses such as Festuca glauca, Poa cita, Dwarf Toe Toe, or Chionochloa rubra can also serve as effective ground cover plants.

These are just a sample of the ground cover plants we have available in NZ. You can find a lot more options for ground cover plants by using our Plant Finder Tool. Simply turn on the filter for groundcover then add more filters as you need to find the perfect ground cover plant for your needs!

Ground Cover Plants For Shade

There are few NZ native plants that do an outstanding job as a ground cover in shaded areas. A small sample is presented below and if you want to find more, The Plant Company has the best range in NZ and with our Plant Finder Tool you can turn on and off as many filters as you like to find the perfect ground cover plant.

Some of the more popular ground cover plants for shade include:

• Myosotidium: The Chatham Island Forget Me Not has lush green leaves and beautiful blue flowers. It thrives in shade.
• Fuchsia procumbens: Fuchsia procumbens produces delicate green leaves and dainty flowers. This NZ native ground cover plant is perfect for shaded areas.

• Pratia: The various Pratia species are very popular as ground cover plants. The stems take root as they creep across the ground. White flowers adorn the plants through spring and summer on this ground hugging plant.

  You can find a lot more options for ground cover plants that like shade by using our Plant Finder Tool. Simply turn on the filter for groundcover and the one for shade, then add more filters as you need to find the perfect ground cover plant for your needs!

Low Maintenance Ground Cover Plants

For those who prefer a garden that requires minimal upkeep, opt for low-maintenance ground cover plants. Ajuga and Pachysandra are excellent options that require little attention once established. They spread quickly, forming dense mats that suppress weeds and reduce the need for frequent garden chores. Other great options include:

• Leptospermum Pink Cascade has sprawling stems and masses of pink flowers.
• Muehlenbeckia axillaris is very hardy and can tolerate foot traffic and coastal environments.
• Grevillea 'Bronze Rambler' and Grevillea 'Gaudichaudi' produce colourful foliage and small, spider-like flowers.
• Rosmarinus prostrata is a prostrate variety of Rosemary and not only is an elegant ground cover plant, but can be used for culinary purposes also!

These are just a sample of the ground cover plants we have available in NZ. You can find a lot more options for ground cover plants by using our Plant Finder Tool. Simply turn on the filter for groundcover then add more filters as you need to find the perfect ground cover plant for your needs!

Perennial Ground Cover Plants

Perennial ground cover plants have soft-stems and there are many popular options available:

• Vinca, commonly known as Periwinkle, are an excellent perennial ground cover. The lush green foliage is complemented with white, blue, or purple flowers.
• Fuchsia procumbens produces delicate green leaves and dainty flowers. This NZ native ground cover plant is perfect for shaded areas.
• The various Pratia species are very popular as ground cover plants. The stems take root as they creep across the ground. White flowers adorn the plants through spring and summer on this ground hugging plant.
• Cerastium 'Snow In Summer' produces silver-coloured foliage and masses of elegant, white flowers.
• Ajuga produce short flower spikes and lush and colourful foliage and blue or pink flowers.
• Creeping Thyme features small, green foliage which becomes adorned with pink, white, or red flowers during spring and summer.

These are just a sample of the ground cover plants we have available in NZ. You can find a lot more options for ground cover plants by using our Plant Finder Tool. Simply turn on the filter for groundcover then add more filters as you need to find the perfect ground cover plant for your needs!

Why Choose Ground Cover Plants?

Ground cover plants are low-growing plants that spread across the soil, creating a dense covering. They are ideal for preventing soil erosion, reducing the need for mulch, and adding a finishing touch to your garden design. Ground cover plants can also help to suppress weeds and retain soil moisture, making them a low-maintenance option for busy gardeners. By covering the soil, these plants prevent sunlight from reaching weed seeds, thus inhibiting their growth, which makes garden maintenance more manageable.

Landscaping with Ground Cover

Ground cover plants can be used creatively in landscaping to create stunning visual effects. They can be used to soften the edges of pathways, fill in gaps between larger plants, or create a seamless transition between different garden areas. By experimenting with different plant varieties, you can create unique patterns and textures that enhance the overall design of your outdoor space.

Incorporating ground covers into your landscape design can also improve the functionality of your garden. They can help define spaces, such as separating a seating area from a vegetable garden or providing a visual break between lawns and flower beds. Ground covers offer a practical solution for covering large areas with minimal effort, reducing the need for extensive lawn care and maintenance.