NZ Native Grasses

Native New Zealand Grasses

Native ornamental grasses are a popular choice for gardeners seeking to add texture and movement to their landscapes. In New Zealand, these native grasses thrive due to the country's climate and fertile soil. Varieties such as Carex, Festuca, and Poa are commonly used in gardens for their aesthetic appeal and low maintenance requirements. These grasses not only enhance the visual appeal but also provide habitat for local wildlife. These articles explore the different types and popular options in detail.

Popular NZ Native Grasses

Landscapers throughout NZ generally favour using NZ natives in their designs, and grasses are a prominent part of that. Short of listing all the grasses we have on offer, here are a few of the more popular choices to guide your thinking for dry and wet areas for planting.

NZ native grasses for dry areas:

• Poa cita (Silver Tussock) features elegant and slender green foliage that turns brown during summer.
• Festuca coxii is a blue grass that provides a unique input of colour to a garden.
• Chionochloa flavicans (miniature Toetoe) is used to cover large areas and has beautiful, white flower plumes.
• Chionochloa rubra (Red Tussock) brings in red colouring to a space along with elegant foliage.
• Carex testacea (Orange Tussock) features vibrant orange colourings and adds both impact and great aesthetics to a garden.
• Carex buchananii (Brown Tussock) features brown foliage held with a gentle arch. This is popular in modern gardens.

NZ native grasses for wet areas:

• Juncus pallidus is often used in wetter areas for both height and to provide an architectural flair.
• Apodasmia similis has unique, upright foliage that adds character to a garden.
• Anemanthele lessoniana is aptly named Wind Grass and has colourful foliage that shimmers in the wind.
• Carex secta (Pūio): This large, tussock-forming sedge is a common sight in swamps and wetlands throughout New Zealand.
• Carex virgata (Swamp Sedge): features erect stems and narrow leaves, and produces distinctive black seed heads.

More options:

Use our plant finder tool to find more options for your location. Simply turn on the filters for grasses, NZ native, and your location to bring a host of different options.

Native Grasses of New Zealand

New Zealand is home to a variety of native grasses that play a crucial role in the country's ecosystems. These native species, such as Poa cita (Silver tussock) and Chionochloa rubra (red tussock), are well adapted to the local environment. Such native grasses help prevent soil erosion, support biodiversity, and are an integral part of the natural landscape. They typically fall into three grass types; tussock grasses, wetland grasses, and coastal grasses.

Tussock Grasses

Tussock grasses, which are also called grassland grasses, are a distinctive feature of New Zealand's landscape, particularly in the South Island. They are resilient and can thrive in harsh conditions, making them vital for stabilising soil in alpine and subalpine regions. Tussock grasslands are not only ecologically significant but also offer breathtaking scenery for those exploring the outdoors. Some commonly found examples include:

• Chionochloa rigida (Snow Tussock): This genus dominates many of New Zealand's high-altitude grasslands, forming large, golden-brown tussocks that can withstand harsh alpine conditions. Several species exist, each with unique characteristics and adaptations.
• Festuca novae-zelandiae (Hard Tussock): This fine-leaved tussock grass is common in drier lowland and montane grasslands, often forming extensive stands. It is highly tolerant of drought and grazing.
• Poa cita (Silver Tussock): This widespread tussock grass is found in drier lowland and montane grasslands throughout New Zealand. It is characterised by its silvery-green leaves and dense, compact growth form.
• Rytidosperma (Bristle Tussock): This diverse genus includes several species of tussock grasses found in a variety of grassland habitats. They are characterized by their bristly seed heads and tufted growth form.

Sedge or Wetland Grasses

New Zealand's native wetland grasses are a diverse group of plants uniquely adapted to thrive in the country's varied wetland environments. These grasses play a crucial role in maintaining the ecological balance of these vital ecosystems, providing habitat for native fauna, stabilising soil, and filtering pollutants. Some commonly found examples include:

• Carex secta (Pūio): This large, tussock-forming sedge is a common sight in swamps and wetlands throughout New Zealand. It can grow up to 1.5 meters tall and is characterized by its distinctive drooping leaves and brown seed heads.
• Carex virgata (Swamp Sedge): This tall, slender sedge is another common wetland species, often found in association with Carex secta. It features erect stems and narrow leaves, and produces distinctive black seed heads.
• Eleocharis acuta (Sharp Spike Sedge): This small, tufted sedge is typically found in shallow water or on damp ground. It is characterized by its slender stems and sharp-pointed spikelets.
• Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani (Great Bulrush): This tall, reed-like grass is a common sight in lakes and ponds. It can grow up to 3 meters tall and is characterized by its thick, spongy stems and brown flower spikes.
• Juncus pallidus (Giant Rush): This tall, leafless rush is found in coastal swamps and estuaries. It can grow up to 2 metres tall and is characterized by its thick, green stems and brown seed heads.

Coastal Grasses

New Zealand's native coastal grasses are tough and resilient, thriving in harsh conditions like salt spray and strong winds. They play a vital role in stabilizing dunes and preventing erosion, with species like Spinifex and Pingao expertly trapping sand and building up these protective barriers. These grasses also provide important habitat for coastal wildlife, making them a crucial part of New Zealand's unique coastal ecosystems. Some commonly found examples include:

• Spinifex sericeus (Kōwhangatara): This iconic sand-binding grass is a common sight on foredunes throughout much of New Zealand. Its long, sprawling stems and silvery-green leaves help to trap sand and build dunes, while its deep roots stabilize the sand and protect against erosion.
• Ficinia spiralis (Pīngao): Another important sand-binding species, pīngao is found on foredunes and beaches throughout New Zealand. It forms dense clumps with upright, yellowish-green leaves that spiral upwards. Pīngao is particularly well-adapted to tolerate salt spray and strong winds.
• Poa billardierei (Sand Tussock): This hardy tussock grass is found on coastal dunes and cliffs throughout New Zealand. It forms dense, upright clumps with bluish-green leaves. Sand tussock is highly tolerant of salt spray and drought, making it an ideal plant for coastal areas.
• Carex pumila (Sand Sedge): This low-growing sedge is found on sandy beaches and dunes throughout New Zealand. It forms dense mats with creeping stems and short, green leaves. Sand sedge is an effective sand binder and helps to stabilize dunes.
• Austroderia fulvida (Toetoe): This large, impressive grass is found in coastal areas throughout New Zealand, often growing in clumps or forming extensive stands. It has tall, erect stems with broad, green leaves and large, feathery flower plumes. Toetoe is a striking feature of many coastal landscapes and provides important habitat for birds and insects.

How To Use NZ Native Grasses in Landscape Designs

New Zealand native grasses play a dominant role in landscapes across the country due to their great aesthetics and hardy nature. A few ideas for using them are:

• Mass Planting: Create a dramatic effect by planting large swathes of a single grass species. This works well for ground covers or to create a meadow-like feel.
• Accent Plants: Use grasses as focal points in your design. Choose a species with a unique texture or colour to draw the eye.
• Mixed Borders: Combine grasses with other native plants to create a diverse and interesting border. Consider the colors and textures of the plants you choose to complement the grasses.
• Containers: Many native grasses can be grown in containers, making them suitable for small spaces or balconies.
• Erosion Control: Use grasses with strong root systems to stabilise slopes or prevent erosion.

Use our plant finder tool to find plant options for your location. Simply turn on the filters for grasses, NZ native, and your location to bring a host of different options.

Planting NZ Native Grasses

It is important when planting NZ native grasses to not let them dry out. While most are hardy to drought, this tolerance only occurs after they are fully established. Therefore, after you have carefully planted your grasses into well prepared soil and firmed them in gently to remove air pockets, be sure to water them well!

Often, native grasses are planted in wind prone areas, so the watering is even more vital here. The Plant Company recommends that grasses should only be planted in exposed positions from late autumn until early spring so they can establish while there is plenty of moisture in the soil and temperatures are not too hot. Finally, be sure not to place any fertiliser in the hole at planting as this can burn the roots. Rather spread native plant fertiliser on the soil surface after planting and during spring. With these simple measures your native grasses should thrive.