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coastal ground cover plants nz

Looking for resilient, attractive coastal ground cover plants nz gardeners can rely on? Coastal gardens have their own unique challenges—salt-laden winds, sandy soils, and sometimes harsh sun—but with the right ground covers, you can easily create a lush, low-maintenance landscape. Carefully selected coastal ground cover plants not only help stabilise sand and reduce erosion, but also bring year-round colour, texture, and wildlife-friendly habitat to your seaside plot. If you’re aiming to cover banks, borders, or pathways with plants that thrive in coastal conditions, here’s our expert guide to the best options for New Zealand gardens.

Coprosma kirkii green foliage held on yellow stems.

Coprosma kirkii

5 from 3 customers

Coprosma kirkii, commonly known as Creeping Coprosma, is a hardy NZ native groundcover shrub valued for its dense, trailing habit and small glossy green leaves. This evergreen plant spreads across the ground, suppressing weeds and providing year round greenery.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Groundcover Plants
Height: 80 cm
Spread: 2.00 m
Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy, Shade, Wind
Garden uses: Borders, Ground covering, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Patios, Ponds, Pool areas
Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Modern, Native, Riparian
Coprosma kirkii 'Variegata' plants in pots.

Coprosma kirkii 'variegata'

5 from 1 customers

Coprosma kirkii 'Variegata' is a hardy NZ native groundcover shrub admired for its trailing habit and attractive variegated foliage of green edged with cream. This evergreen plant provides year round colour and texture while suppressing weeds and covering bare ground.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Groundcover Plants
Height: 60 cm
Spread: 1.50 m
Flowering time: Spring
Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy, Wind
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Ground covering, Living areas, Parks, Paths & Steps, Ponds, Pool areas, Specimen
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern, Native, Rock
coprosma-repens-green-rocks-
Coprosma 'Green Rocks'

Coprosma 'Green Rocks' is a hardy evergreen shrub admired for its dense compact growth habit and fresh green glossy foliage. This attractive New...

From$17.95
Grevillea lanigera 'Mt Tamboritha' pink flowers amidst dark green foliage.
Grevillea lanigera 'Mt Tamboritha'

Grevillea lanigera 'Mt Tamboritha' is a popular evergreen groundcover shrub admired for its dense, spreading habit and masses of pink and cream...

From$24.95
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
Grevillea 'Aussie Crawl' plant with pink flowers and colourful foliage.
Grevillea Aussie Crawl

Grevillea 'Aussie Crawl' is a hardy evergreen groundcover valued for its dense spreading habit, attractive finely divided foliage, and masses of...

From$24.95
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$20.01
juniperus-conferta-2
Juniperus conferta

Juniperus conferta, commonly known as Shore Juniper, is a hardy evergreen conifer valued for its dense, spreading habit and fresh green foliage. It...

From$192.51
westringia-fruticosa-3
Westringia fruticosa

Westringia fruticosa (Coastal Rosemary) is a hardy evergreen shrub prized for its fine grey green foliage, naturally dense habit, and delicate white...

From$18.95
Coprosma Poor Knights with lush green foliage.
Coprosma 'Poor Knights' (Taupata)

Coprosma 'Poor Knights' is a vibrant evergreen shrub valued for its glossy lime green foliage and compact rounded habit. This NZ native selection...

From$17.95
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
A Lithodora 'Grace Ward' plant with blue flowers in a rock garden.
Lithodora 'Grace Ward'

Lithodora 'Grace Ward' is a stunning low growing evergreen perennial admired for its masses of vivid deep blue flowers that appear from spring...

From$20.63
correa-dusky-bells-
Correa 'Dusky Bells'

Correa 'Dusky Bells' is a compact evergreen shrub known for its attractive dusky pink bell shaped flowers and soft grey green foliage. It brings year...

From$25.53
Acaena novae-zelandiae colourful foliage.
Acaena novae-zelandiae (Piripiri)

Acaena novae-zelandiae is a hardy NZ native groundcover commonly known as Bidgee Widgee. It is admired for its fine green foliage and small burr like...

From$16.95
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
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$9.95
Silver leaves and pink flowers on a Stachys byzantina plants in a garden.
Stachys byzantina

Stachys byzantina, commonly known as Lambs Ear, is a low-growing, evergreen perennial valued for its soft, silvery foliage that resembles lambs’...

From$16.95
Muehlenbeckia complexa (Pohuehue) growing as a topiary hedge.
Muehlenbeckia complexa (Pohuehue)

Muehlenbeckia complexa (Pohuehue) is a vigorous, hardy NZ native climber or groundcover. It features wiry, twining stems and small, glossy green...

From$20.63
rubus-pentalobus-2
Rubus pentalobus (Creeping Raspberry)

Rubus pentalobus is a hardy, low growing groundcover known for its attractive textured foliage, small white flowers, and bright red berries. This...

From$35.81
Hedera helix 'Needlepoint' creeping stems with green foliage.
Hedera helix 'Needlepoint'

Hedera helix ‘Needlepoint’ is a refined evergreen ivy featuring small, deeply lobed leaves with a delicate, pointed shape. This compact and elegant...

From$14.95
Libertia grandiflora plant with elegant white flowers and lush, dark green foliage.
Libertia grandiflora (NZ Iris)

Libertia grandiflora, commonly known as NZ Iris, is a hardy New Zealand native perennial admired for its elegant white flowers and sword like green...

From$16.50
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$34.43
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
Sedum rubrotinctum (Jelly Bean Plant) bright red foliage.
Sedum rubrotinctum (Jelly Bean Plant)

Sedum rubrotinctum, commonly known as Jelly Bean Plant or Pork and Beans Plant, is a compact, low-growing succulent reaching 15–20 cm tall and...

From$21.39
Juncus effusus plants growing in water.
Juncus effusus (Soft Rush Plant)

Juncus effusus (Spiral Rush) is an eye catching rush valued for its distinctive twisting green stems, compact clumping habit, and strong...

From$16.49
White flowers on a Cistus 'Snowmound' plant with green foliage.
Cistus 'Snowmound' (White Rock Rose Plant)

Cistus ‘Snowmound’ is a compact evergreen shrub that produces a breathtaking display of pure white flowers with golden-yellow centres from late...

From$24.77
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
Pseudopanax lessonii lush, green foliage.
Pseudopanax lessonii (Coastal Five Finger)

Pseudopanax lessonii, commonly known as Five-Finger or Houpara, is a lush, native New Zealand shrub or small tree prized for its tropical appearance...

From$26.15
clianthus-puniceus-
Clianthus puniceus (Parrot Beak Plant)

Clianthus puniceus (Kakabeak) is a spectacular New Zealand native shrub renowned for its striking clusters of brilliant red, beak shaped flowers that...

From$44.09
Sequoia sempervirens trees in a forest.
Sequoia sempervirens (Coastal Redwood)

Sequoia sempervirens, commonly known as California Redwood, is one of the world’s tallest and most majestic trees. Native to the west coast of the...

From$136.04
rose-flower-carpet-gold--1
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
Coprosma kirkii

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Coprosma, Grevillea, and Juniperus, or related Categories - Groundcover Plants.

Search coastal ground cover plants nz

Why Choose Coastal Ground Cover Plants?

Coastal ground cover plants nz varieties are specifically adapted to salt spray, wind, and sandy soils—making them a smart solution for both coastal gardens and urban landscapes near the sea. These ground covers suppress weeds, conserve moisture, and keep roots cool in the summer. Plus, their tough, spreading growth ensures banks and bare spots remain green and vibrant, even in tricky places where other plants might struggle.

Top Coastal Ground Cover Plants for NZ Gardens

Selliera ‘Sundrops’

One of the standout coastal ground cover plants nz is the Selliera 'Sundrops'. This compact New Zealand native forms a dense carpet of glossy leaves and bright, golden blooms in spring and summer. Ideal for sandy positions and coastal paths, it’s tolerant of salt spray and occasional wet feet.

Coprosma kirkii ‘Variegata’

The Coprosma kirkii 'variegata' offers year-round visual interest with silver-green foliage and a spreading habit. Perfect for spilling over walls or stabilising banks, this versatile ground cover thrives in coastal situations and tolerates drought and wind once established.

Pimelea prostrata ‘Blue Peter’

Looking for texture and subtle blue hues? Pimelea prostrata 'Blue Peter' is an excellent choice. This low-growing NZ native features silver foliage and tiny blue flowers, making it ideal for planting between paving stones and along exposed, sandy borders.

Coprosma kirkii

Native to New Zealand’s coastal regions, Coprosma kirkii forms a thick mat of green foliage that handles salt spray and poor soils with ease. Use this ground cover to quickly stabilise sandy slopes and create wildlife-friendly patches in your garden.

Pimelea mimosa

The delicate Pimelea mimosa is another superb option for covering coastal banks. Its fine green foliage and compact growth habit make it perfect for planting alongside paths or mixed with other coastal ground cover plants nz selections for a layered effect.

Tips for Planting Coastal Ground Covers

When establishing coastal ground cover plants nz, give them a good start by improving the soil with compost and mulching well to conserve moisture. Space plants according to their mature spread for maximum coverage and weed suppression. Water regularly until established, then let nature do the work—most coastal ground covers are drought tolerant and low maintenance.

Discover More Coastal-Friendly Choices

Choosing the right coastal ground cover plants nz transforms difficult garden spots into vibrant, easy-care spaces. From native favourites like Selliera 'Sundrops' and Coprosma kirkii 'variegata', to standouts like Pimelea prostrata 'Blue Peter' and Pimelea mimosa, you’re sure to find options that suit any coastal NZ garden. Explore our full range for more inspiration and start building your ideal seaside landscape.


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.

Lomandra 'Tanika' and Lomandra Frosty Tops are popular for a reason, but it’s plants like Coprosma 'Green Rocks', Prunus 'Shirotae', and Orange Barnfield that create a truly unique garden.
–The Plant Company

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