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best ornamental grasses nz

Looking to elevate your New Zealand garden? The best ornamental grasses NZ has to offer provide year-round structure, movement, and contrast to any landscape. These versatile and low-maintenance plants are ideal for mass planting, borders, groundcovers, and even containers. Whether you love the modern look of strappy foliage or prefer feathery mounds that catch the wind, ornamental grasses bring beautiful texture and form to urban courtyards, coastal gardens, and rural properties alike. Read on to discover top choices for New Zealand conditions and how to incorporate them into your outdoor design.

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 50 cm tall and the same width. Carex flagellifera Green is often planted around the base of larger trees, included in border plantings, mass planted either as a groundcover or on a bank, or used in coastal gardens. It also looks great in planters, particularly when the foliage can cascade to the ground.

From $11.50

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Grasses
Height: 50 cm
Spread: 50 cm
Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy, Wet, Wind
Garden uses: Banks, Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Patios, Ponds, Pool areas
Garden styles: Alpine, Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Native, Riparian
Lomandra 'Misty Green' plants with cascading green foliage growing a bank.

Lomandra Misty Green

Lomandra Misty Green is an ornamental grass with delicate, dark green foliage and a tidy, rounded form. Growing to about 40 cm in height and width, it thrives in full sun to partial shade and is highly tolerant of drought, frost, wind, and coastal conditions. This low-maintenance plant is ideal for borders, mass plantings, containers, and around outdoor living areas, adding year-round texture and colour to gardens.

From $19.25

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Grasses
Height: 40 cm
Spread: 40 cm
Flowering time: Spring
Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy, Wind
Garden uses: Banks, Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Pool areas
Garden styles: Alpine, Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern
Lomandra 'Seascape' grass with elegant, blue-green foliage growing beside a pond.
Lomandra confertifolia Seascape

Lomandra confertifolia 'Seascape' is a hardy, evergreen ornamental grass featuring slender, blue-grey foliage with a graceful, weeping habit. Forming...

From$19.25
Acorus gramineus variegata plants growing in pots with green and cream foliage.
Acorus gramineus variegatus

Acorus gramineus variegatus, commonly known as Variegated Sweet Flag, is an attractive ornamental grass-like plant prized for its elegant green and...

From$16.95
Carex flagellifera Red plants.
Carex flagellifera Red

Carex flagellifera Red is a NZ native, ornamental grass grown for its colourful and attractive foliage. It produces slender and lush, copper-red...

From$11.50
Lomandra Green Allure plant with lush, green foliage.
Lomandra Green Allure

Lomandra Green Allure is widely used in landscaping projects across NZ. It is commonly mass planted as a ground cover or on a bank, included in...

From$19.25
Lomandra Little Pal plants with lush green foliage.
Lomandra Little Pal

Lomandra Little Pal is a compact ornamental grass grown for its fine, green-yellow foliage and tidy, rounded form. Growing to approximately 60 cm in...

From$17.87
A large Calamagrostis 'Overdam' grass with elegant, variegated foliage.
Calamagrostis 'Overdam'

Calamagrostis ‘Overdam’ is a striking variegated ornamental grass that delivers elegant upright form and delicate texture to garden borders and...

From$19.95
Lomandra Lime Tuff in a garden showing elegant foliage.
Lomandra Lime Tuff

Lomandra 'Lime Tuff' is a hardy evergreen ornamental grass valued for its vibrant lime green foliage and compact tidy growth habit. This versatile...

From$8.21
Carex comans green plants with dense, green foliage in a garden.
Carex comans Green

Carex comans Green is a NZ native, ornamental grass featuring slender and arching, lime green foliage. It grows as a tidy clump to about 40 cm tall...

From$11.50
Lomandra Frosty Tops with lush blue foliage in a garden.
Lomandra Frosty Tops

Lomandra Frosty Tops is a hardy, evergreen grass featuring elegant, blue-grey foliage and a soft, weeping form. Growing to around 50 cm tall and...

From$18.63
Carex 'Frosted Curls' plants with elegant green foliage growing in a pot with other plants.
Carex Frosted Curls

Carex Frosted Curls is an ornamental grass with slender, hair-like, iridescent foliage that shimmers in light breezes. It typically grows to 30 cm...

From$11.50
isolepsis-cernua-1
Isolepis cernua (Scirpus cernua)

Isolepis cernua (Fiber Optic Grass) is a distinctive ornamental grass prized for its fine green stems tipped with tiny white flowers that resemble...

From$20.63
Zebra grass (Miscanthus 'Zebrinus') leaves with cream and green stripes.
Miscanthus 'Zebrinus'

Miscanthus 'Zebrinus' (Zebra Grass) is a striking ornamental grass recognised for its bold horizontal yellow banding across arching green leaves...

From$19.95
Imperata 'Red Baron' with colourful, red foliage
Imperata Red Baron

Imperata 'Red Baron', commonly known as Japanese Blood Grass, features leaves that are green at the base and become red further up the blade. Through...

From$20.63
Poa cita grass plants on a plateau overlooing the sea.
Poa cita

Poa cita, commonly known as Silver Tussock, is a clump-forming NZ native grass with delicate, green foliage that wafts gracefully in the breeze. It...

From$9.95
Lomandra 'Echidna' grass growing as a mass planting beside a path.
Lomandra Echidna

The Lomandra Echidna grass is a tough and reliable plant with outstanding aesthetics. It features lush, mid-green foliage held upright with a gentle...

From$17.87
Calamagrostis 'Karl Foerster' grasses as a mass planting and featuring elegant, cream-coloured flower heads as plumes.
Calamagrostis 'Karl Foerster'

Calamagrostis 'Karl Foerster' is a popular ornamental grass known for its upright, clump-forming habit and tall, feathery flower plumes. It grows to...

From$19.95
A large planting of Stipa gigantea (Golden Oat Grass) as a feature garden.
Stipa gigantea

Stipa gigantea, commonly known as the Golden Oat Grass, is a large, ornamental grass. It grows as a clump and produces narrow, dark green leaves. The...

From$15.11
Lomandra longifolia plant beside a path with lush, green foliage.
Lomandra longifolia (Basket Grass)

Lomandra longifolia (Basket Grass) is a resilient, evergreen ornamental grass native to Australia. Growing to approximately 60 cm in height and 65 cm...

From$19.25
Ophiopogon planiscapus nigrescens (Black Mondo) plants with lush, black foliage.
Ophiopogon japonicus nigrescens

Ophiopogon japonicus nigrescens, commonly known as Black Mondo Grass, is a clump-forming plant with fine, near black foliage. The foliage is...

From$9.95
An elegant Miscanthus sinensis grass with cream-coloured flower plumes and lush green foliage.
Miscanthus sinensis

Miscanthus sinensis is an ornamental grass that grows as a clump of narrow, arching, green leaves. The colouring gives a light silver-green effect to...

From$19.95
Dactylis glomerata plant with a cat.
Dactylis glomerata (Cat Grass)

Dactylis glomerata, commonly known as Cat Grass or Catnip Grass, is a popular grass that is loved by cats. It features flowing, green foliage held as...

From$22.01
Orange foliage on Carex testacea.
Carex testacea

Carex testacea, commonly known as Orange Sedge, is a striking New Zealand native grass admired for its fine, arching foliage that turns a brilliant...

From$11.50
Sisyrinchium californicum plants with yellow flowers and fine, green foliage.
Sisyrinchium californicum

Sisyrinchium californicum, commonly known as the Golden Eyed Grass, is an herbaceous perennial grown for both its foliage and flowers. It bears...

From$17.25
Carex secta plants growing as a border garden in a commercial car park.
Carex secta (Swamp Sedge)

Carex secta, commonly known as Pukio, is a striking New Zealand native sedge admired for its large, tussock forming habit and golden green foliage...

From$11.50
Carex buchananii with lush brown foliage growing as a specimen plant in a rock garden.
Carex buchananii (Buchanans Sedge)

Carex buchananii, commonly known as Leatherleaf Sedge, is a striking New Zealand native grass-like plant with delicate, upright, copper-bronze...

From$11.50
Cyperus ustulatus growing in water.
Cyperus ustulatus (Giant Umbrella Sedge)

Cyperus ustulatus, commonly known as the Giant Umbrella Sedge, is a large and robust NZ native grass. It grows as a clump and produces dark green...

From$17.25
Typha orientalis (Raupo) plants with brown seed heads.
Typha orientalis (Raupō)

Typha orientalis, commonly known as Raupo, is a vigorous and erect, NZ native grass. It is found throughout New Zealand in shallow, fertile waters...

From$14.84
Libertia paniculata plant with white flowers.
Libertia paniculata (Grass Flag)

Libertia paniculata is an elegant evergreen perennial admired for its fine, upright foliage and delicate white flowers that appear in airy clusters...

From$16.50
Liriope muscari 'Samantha' plants with dark green leaves and pink flowers.
Liriope 'Samantha'

Liriope 'Samantha' is a pink-flowering Liriope that produces strap-like, dark green leaves. Short stems carrying masses of tiny, light pink flowers...

From$17.95
Carex 'Everlime' plants for sale at The Plant Company nursery.
Carex 'Everlime' (Lime Grass Plant)

Carex ‘Everlime’ (Japanese Sedge) is a popular evergreen sedge valued for its graceful arching green foliage edged with bright lime cream margins...

From$19.95
Carex flagellifera Green

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Acorus, Calamagrostis, and Carex, or related Categories - Grasses.

Search best ornamental grasses nz

Why Choose Ornamental Grasses for Your NZ Garden?

Ornamental grasses have become increasingly popular in New Zealand for their hardiness, adaptability, and stunning visual impact. These grasses thrive in a variety of soil and climate conditions, from sun-baked slopes to shaded corners. They tolerate wind, require minimal care, and retain their shape throughout the seasons—making them a favourite for busy gardeners. Ornamental grasses also support NZ wildlife, providing shelter and food for native birds and beneficial insects.

Top Picks: Best Ornamental Grasses NZ

When it comes to the best ornamental grasses NZ home gardeners can grow, several standout varieties consistently impress with their performance and looks:

Lomandra White Sands

Lomandra White Sands is prized for its fine, blue-green foliage edged in creamy white. This resilient grass forms neat tussocks, creating soft symmetry in borders, mass plantings, or containers. Lomandra is drought and frost tolerant, ideal for exposed NZ sites.

Lomandra Misty Green

The delicate, fine leaves of Lomandra Misty Green bring a gentle, cloud-like quality to gardens. This variety excels in coastal and urban environments, adding a lush, evergreen accent with minimal maintenance. Plant in drifts for modern texture or use alongside natives.

Lomandra Nyalla

For wind-prone or coastal gardens, Lomandra Nyalla delivers outstanding toughness. Its strappy leaves and dense growth habit make it perfect for erosion control and as a striking accent plant. It also flourishes in clay or sandy soils—an excellent choice for challenging NZ sites.

Carex flagellifera Green

If you prefer native charm, Carex flagellifera Green is a top pick. With its arching, vibrant green foliage, Carex is wonderful for naturalistic planting schemes, stream banks, or mixed borders. This NZ native grass is low-care and wildlife-friendly.

Lomandra Evergreen Baby

Compact gardens or pots can benefit from Lomandra Evergreen Baby, a dwarf variety with evergreen, strappy leaves. It’s an ideal solution for edging pathways or softening hard landscaping while staying neat and tidy year-round.

How to Use Ornamental Grasses in Your Landscape

The best ornamental grasses NZ gardeners enjoy are endlessly versatile. Try mass planting Lomandra for easy-care groundcover, mixing Carex with flax or native shrubs for naturalistic effects, or use dwarf varieties to edge paths and highlight feature trees. Ornamental grasses bring movement, catch morning dewdrops, and sway elegantly in the wind—effortlessly connecting your garden to New Zealand’s larger landscape.

Ready to transform your garden with the best ornamental grasses NZ has to offer? Explore our curated collection and choose hardy species, from Lomandra White Sands to Carex flagellifera Green, for long-lasting beauty in every season.

Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.

Illustration of plant leaves.
Rosmarinus prostratus (Creeping Rosemary) and Griselinia 'Canterbury' may be the stars of the show, but unsung heroes like Leptospermum 'Merinda', Podocarpus gracilior (African Fern Pine), and Prunus 'Pink Perfection' deserve a moment in the sun.
–The Plant Company

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