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cascading ground cover plants

If you’re searching for an attractive way to cover bare earth, soften garden edges, or create a lush green carpet that drapes elegantly down slopes or walls, cascading ground cover plants are the answer. These versatile, low-maintenance plants offer a living solution to erosion, weeds, and problem spots in gardens. Their trailing foliage and rapid spread make them a popular choice for New Zealanders wanting practical beauty in landscape design. Whether you want a burst of colour, silvery texture, or evergreen coverage, cascading ground cover plants thrive across a range of conditions—from sun-baked rockeries to shady corners. Let’s discover how these plants can transform your garden, which varieties suit different areas, and tips for successful planting.

Hedera 'Golden Ingot' plant with green and yellow foliage.

Hedera helix 'Golden Ingot'

Hedera helix 'Golden Ingot' is a striking evergreen ivy admired for its bright golden-yellow foliage edged with soft green tones. This compact and hardy climber provides year-round colour and texture, perfect for brightening shaded or dull garden areas. It's ideal for use as ground cover, a trailing plant, or for training on trellises and walls.

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate
Plant type: Climbers
Height: 1.50 m
Spread: 1.50 m
Tolerances: Coastal
Garden uses: Arches, Banks, Containers, Hedging, Living areas, Parks, Patios, Pool areas, Specimen, Walls
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Formal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Native
Hedera helix 'Needlepoint' creeping stems with green foliage.

Hedera helix 'Needlepoint'

5 from 2 customers

Hedera helix 'Needlepoint' is a refined evergreen ivy featuring small, deeply lobed leaves with a delicate, pointed shape. This compact and elegant variety provides year-round greenery and texture, making it perfect for both indoor and outdoor spaces.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Climbers
Height: 2.50 m
Spread: 2.50 m
Flowering time: Summer
Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy
Garden uses: Arches, Living areas, Pool areas, Screening, Walls
Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Modern
Helichrysum petiolare plants with grey foliage growing as a ground cover.
Helichrysum petiolare (Trailing Dusty Miller)

Helichrysum petiolare (Licorice Plant) is a popular evergreen plant valued for its soft silver foliage and trailing growth habit. The attractive...

From$24.77
Hedera 'Silver Variegata' dark green and cream variegated foliage.
Hedera 'Silver Variegated'

Hedera 'Silver Variegated' is a striking evergreen ivy with silvery-green leaves edged in creamy white. Its elegant variegation brightens shaded...

From$14.95
Selliera radicans green plants growing in a rocky location.
Selliera radicans (Remuremu)

Selliera radicans, commonly known as Remuremu, is a NZ native, herbaceous perennial that forms a tight mat of bright green leaves. The glossy and...

From$20.01
taxodium-cascade-falls-
Taxodium distichum 'Cascade Falls'

Taxodium distichum 'Cascade Falls' is a graceful weeping form of Bald Cypress, admired for its cascading branches, soft feathery foliage, and...

From$387.55
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...

From$20.63
Coprosma kirkii green foliage held on yellow stems.
Coprosma kirkii

Coprosma kirkii, commonly known as Creeping Coprosma, is a hardy NZ native groundcover shrub valued for its dense, trailing habit and small glossy...

From$17.95
gleditsia-emerald-cascade-
Gleditsia 'Emerald Cascade' (Weeping Honey Locust)

Gleditsia 'Emerald Cascade' is an elegant deciduous tree admired for its graceful cascading branches and fine bright green foliage that creates a...

From$387.55
Coprosma kirkii 'Variegata' plants in pots.
Coprosma kirkii 'variegata'

Coprosma kirkii 'Variegata' is a hardy NZ native groundcover shrub admired for its trailing habit and attractive variegated foliage of green edged...

From$17.95
Grevillea 'Bronze Rambler' plant with pink flowers.
Grevillea 'Bronze Rambler'

Grevillea 'Bronze Rambler' is a low growing evergreen shrub valued for its bronze tinted foliage and vibrant red flowers. Flowering over a long...

From$24.95
Helipterum 'Paper Cascade' plant in a pot with masses of white flowers.
Helipterum 'Paper Cascade'

Helipterum 'Paper Cascade' is a charming flowering plant prized for its masses of papery blooms and cascading growth habit. The colourful flowers...

From$26.15
Juniperus procumbens 'Nana' (prostrate Juniper) growing as a tidy ground cover.
Juniperus procumbens 'Nana' (Japanese Dwarf Juniper)

Juniperus procumbens 'Nana', commonly known as the Prostrate Juniper, is a ground-hugging conifer that forms a carpet of blue-green, needle-like...

From$65.55
leptinella-dioica-
Leptinella dioica

Leptinella dioica (Bachelor Button Plant) is a low growing evergreen groundcover valued for its fine fern like foliage and ability to create a dense...

From$13.95
vinca-elizabeth-cran-1
Vinca 'Elizabeth Cran'

Vinca 'Elizabeth Cran' is an attractive evergreen perennial valued for its rich green foliage, spreading habit, and colourful seasonal flowers. Its...

From$20.01
Hedera canariensis variegata green and cream foliage.
Hedera canariensis 'Variegata'

Hedera canariensis 'Variegata' is a striking evergreen climber known for its large, glossy green leaves edged with creamy-white variegation. This...

From$14.95
Ajuga 'Catlins Giant' plants with green foliage and blue flowers growing in a garden bed.
Ajuga 'Catlins Giant'

Ajuga 'Catlins Giant' (Bugleweed Plant) is a vigorous evergreen groundcover valued for its large glossy dark green leaves and striking blue flower...

From$18.63
Chlorophytum comosum variegatum plants growing in pots on a shelf.
Chlorophytum comosum 'Variegatum'

Chlorophytum comosum 'Variegatum' (Spider Plant) is a popular evergreen perennial valued for its arching green and white striped foliage and easy...

From$39.95
Coprosma acerosa growing on a sand dune.
Coprosma acerosa

Coprosma acerosa, also known as Sand Coprosma or Tātaraheke, is a hardy New Zealand native groundcover well-suited to exposed and coastal...

From$7.50
A Gardenia radicans shrub looking amazing with lush foliage and white flowers.
Gardenia radicans

Gardenia radicans is a compact, low-growing shrub prized for its glossy green foliage and intensely fragrant white flowers. Blooming from late spring...

From$18.95
Coprosma 'Flat Freddy' ground cover shrub with brown stems and leaves.
Coprosma 'Flat Freddy'

Coprosma 'Flat Freddy' is a unique ground covering evergreen shrub valued for its rich chocolate brown foliage and naturally spreading form. Well...

From$17.95
A border planting of Rose 'Flower Carpet Gold' with masses of yellow flowers.
Rose 'Flower Carpet Gold'

Rose 'Flower Carpet Gold' is a low growing ground cover rose that delivers a bright display of golden yellow blooms across a long flowering season...

From$34.43
Rose 'Flower Carpet Scarlet' plants with red flowers above lush, green foliage.
Rose 'Flower Carpet Scarlet'

Rose 'Flower Carpet Scarlet' is a low growing ground cover rose that produces a bold display of scarlet red flowers over a long season. Its spreading...

From$33.81
black-polythene-1-m-wide-
Black Polythene - 1 m Wide

Black Polythene - 1 m Wide is a practical plastic sheeting option for garden, nursery, and landscaping applications. The black finish helps block...

From$138.40
Rose 'Flower Carpet Pink' stunning pink flowers.
Rose 'Flower Carpet Pink'

Rose 'Flower Carpet Pink' is a low growing ground cover rose loved for its masses of clear pink flowers, spreading habit, and dependable garden...

From$34.43
Kniphofia 'Border Ballet' plants in a cottage garden featuring orange flowers and lush green foliage.
Kniphofia 'Border Ballet' (Hot Poker Plant)

Kniphofia 'Border Ballet' is a variety of the commonly known Red Hot Poker, and is grown for its colourful flowers. Stems rise above the foliage...

From$20.63
Moss pole for plants.
Moss Pole For Plants (Moss Pole For Plants)

These moss poles for plants are made from Coir Fibre (i.e., the husks of coconuts). They are an eco-friendly option to help plants grow healthier and...

From$6.90
A strong and studry planting spade.
Ace1 Planting Spade

The Ace 1 planting spade is a must for any gardener. This spade is designed so it can penetrate the ground easily without jarring the wrists in the...

From$225.86
fertiliser-for-acid-loving-plants-
Fertiliser for acid loving plants

Fertiliser for acid loving plants provides targeted nutrition for plants that perform best in acidic soil conditions. It helps support healthy...

From$7.95
native-plant-fertiliser-
Native Plant Fertiliser

Native Plant Fertiliser is specially formulated to support healthy growth in a wide range of NZ native plants. It provides balanced nutrition to...

From$16.95
10-litre-plant-pots-
10 Litre Thermoformed Plant Pots

These lightweight pots are a cost effective means for growing on plants. They feature a strong and broad rim, have been UV stabilised for NZ...

From$5.76
Plant watering bottle for watering a plant on a shelf.
Plant Watering Bottle

Plant Watering Bottles provide a simple and convenient way to deliver water directly to indoor plants, seedlings, cuttings, and small container...

From$55.13
Hedera helix 'Golden Ingot'

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Coprosma, Gleditsia, and Hedera, or related Categories - Evergreen Climbers, Groundcover Plants, and Deciduous Trees.

Search cascading ground cover plants

Why Choose Cascading Ground Cover Plants?

Cascading ground cover plants serve multiple purposes: they suppress weeds, reduce soil erosion, and fill gaps with year-round greenery or seasonal blooms. Their trailing stems naturally spill over borders, raised beds, and retaining walls, creating soft visual transitions and texture. These plants are particularly effective for challenging spaces where mowing or maintenance is difficult, such as steep banks and rocky slopes.

Top Cascading Ground Cover Plant Varieties

If you’re after a ground cover that doesn’t just spread, but gracefully cascades, there are plenty of options suitable for Kiwi gardens:

Planting and Care Tips

Success with cascading ground cover plants depends on selecting the right variety for your site. Plant in well-drained soil and space plants to allow for expansion. Water regularly until established, then reduce as most become drought-tolerant. Prune back as needed to control growth, especially near pathways or lawns. Mulch annually to suppress weeds and retain moisture.

Where Cascading Ground Covers Work Best

These plants excel on slopes, banks, raised beds, and over walls. They’re also ideal for container gardens, hanging baskets, and covering unsightly patches beneath trees or along fences. Cascading ground cover plants are perfect for creating a natural, layered look or pairing with upright perennials for extra texture.

Ready to transform your garden with cascading ground cover plants? Explore our range of recommended varieties and give your landscape lasting, effortless beauty.


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.

Gardeners love Agapanthus 'Gayles Lilac' and Rhododendron 'Black Magic', but there’s a growing buzz around plants like Buxus microphylla 'Freedom', Acer 'Shidava Gold', and Orange 'Cara Cara'.
–The Plant Company

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