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creeping coprosma

Creeping coprosma is a resilient, versatile New Zealand native groundcover prized for its dense, spreading habit and year-round colour. Perfect for both home gardeners and landscape professionals, creeping coprosma works superbly as a low-maintenance solution for banks, borders, and as a living mulch in beds and under trees. Its attractive trailing foliage and tolerance of a variety of growing conditions have made it increasingly popular in New Zealand gardens, where it offers both practical and aesthetic value.

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.

From $17.95

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.

From $17.95

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
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Coprosma 'Black Cloud' (Black Coprosma)

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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...

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Coprosma 'Red Rocks' is a hardy NZ native shrub known for its rich red toned foliage and tough spreading habit. Naturally found in coastal...

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Coprosma robusta, commonly known as Karamu, is a versatile New Zealand native shrub or small tree reaching up to 6 metres in height. It features...

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Coprosma repens 'Middlemore' high-quality plants for sale at The Plant Company nursery.
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Coprosma 'Beatson's Gold' is a vibrant evergreen shrub valued for its bright golden yellow foliage and compact growth habit. Well suited to New...

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

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Coprosma ‘Rainbow Surprise’ is a vibrant NZ shrub admired for its colourful and glossy foliage. The leaves display a lively mix of pink, cream, and...

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Coprosma 'Gold Splash' is a vibrant evergreen shrub valued for its glossy green foliage heavily splashed with bright golden yellow. Well suited to...

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Coprosma 'Painters Palette' colourful, glossy foliage.
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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...

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Coprosma rigida, commonly known as Stiff Karamu, is a hardy New Zealand native shrub reaching up to 4 metres in height. It features small green...

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Coprosma kirkii

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

Search creeping coprosma

What is Creeping Coprosma?

Creeping coprosma refers to several prostrate species within the Coprosma genus that are specifically adapted to form a carpet-like mat across the ground. The most commonly grown species include Coprosma kirkii, which is renowned for its robustness and subtle blue-green foliage. Other creeping species, such as Coprosma depressa (Coprosma ramulosa), are equally valued for their ornamental and groundcover qualities, thriving in sun or part shade and providing excellent weed suppression.

Why Grow Creeping Coprosma in Your Garden?

Creeping coprosma is prized for more than just its looks. This groundcover is coastal hardy, wind-tolerant, and copes with a range of soil types as long as drainage is reasonable. It’s an ideal companion in native planting schemes, and equally at home spilling over walls or softening hard edges in contemporary gardens. Its dense, intertwining stems help control erosion on banks and slopes, making it functional as well as beautiful.

In addition, creeping coprosma species like Coprosma kirkii 'variegata' add extra interest with their variegated foliage, bringing brightness to difficult spots. The plant’s low, spreading habit also means less need for mulching and fewer unwanted weeds.

Planting & Care Tips for Creeping Coprosma

Creeping coprosma thrives in full sun to part shade and prefers well-drained soils. It benefits from occasional pruning to maintain shape, but is otherwise low fuss and easy to establish, even in exposed gardens. Once planted, it needs little water beyond what nature provides, though a little extra in summer will help during the first year while the roots settle in.

For a denser carpet, space individual plants 50-70cm apart. In native gardens, creeping coprosma pairs wonderfully with upright shrubs like Coprosma virescens (Mikimiki) or more dramatic foliage such as Coprosma 'Black Cloud' (Black Coprosma).

Choosing the Right Creeping Coprosma

Whether you prefer the classic look of Coprosma kirkii, the delicate foliage of Coprosma depressa (Coprosma ramulosa), or the vibrant edges of Coprosma kirkii 'variegata', there’s a variety to suit your landscape design. These adaptable groundcovers are a long-lived, low-maintenance way to create texture and colour in your outdoor spaces.

For those seeking hardy, reliable groundcover with a native touch, creeping coprosma is the perfect pick to transform garden beds, slopes, and mixed plantings across New Zealand homes.

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