Name: The Plant Company
Address: 284 Meeanee Road, Meeanee, Napier, 4112, New Zealand
Telephone: 0800 843 752
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evergreen ground cover plants nz

Discover the beauty and practicality of evergreen ground cover plants in NZ gardens. If you’re searching for ways to create lush, fuss-free carpets of greenery all year round, evergreen ground cover plants are a superb choice. These resilient, versatile plants not only keep their foliage through every season, they help suppress weeds, reduce soil erosion, and provide visual interest for garden beds, borders, and difficult spots. Whether you’re landscaping a shady patch or looking for reliable, low-maintenance options for sunny areas, New Zealand offers a stunning selection of ground cover plants suited to various local conditions.

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 green leaves. This evergreen plant spreads across the ground, suppressing weeds and providing year round greenery. Naturally tough, it thrives in exposed and coastal conditions, making it ideal for low maintenance gardens, banks, and rockeries. Creeping Coprosma is both practical and attractive in NZ landscapes.

Buy Coprosma kirkii

From $20.18

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

Pimelea mimosa

Pimelea mimosa is a mat forming, NZ native, ground covering plant. It has soft, blue-grey leaves which are held on stems that tend to climb over objects. The plant becomes adorned with tiny, white flowers during summer. This evergreen typically grows to 30 cm tall and 80 cm wide, and performs best when grown in full sun on a well-drained soil. Pimelea mimosa is commonly used as a groundcover, added to coastal plantings, included in cottage gardens, planted around outdoor living areas, or mass planted on a bank.

Buy Pimelea mimosa

From $23.63

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate

Plant type: Groundcover Plants

Height: 30 cm

Spread: 80 cm

Flowering time: Summer

Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy, Wind

Garden uses: Banks, Borders, Ground covering, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Pool areas

Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Cottage, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern, Native

Why Choose Evergreen Ground Cover Plants in NZ?

Evergreen ground cover plants thrive in New Zealand’s climate, filling spaces with instant greenery and keeping your garden vibrant throughout the year. Their dense foliage forms effective living mulch, conserving soil moisture and minimising weed growth. With choices ranging from native NZ varieties to proven exotics, evergreen ground covers are ideal for both native gardens and mixed plantings. These plants are especially handy for sloped sites, under established trees, or areas prone to runoff, making them a must-have for every gardener striving for beauty and function.

Top Evergreen Ground Cover Plants for NZ Gardens

Native Choices

If you’re keen on supporting local ecosystems and seeking NZ native options, consider the hardy Coprosma kirkii. This low-growing, spreading shrub has attractive, small leaves and is excellent for coastal spots or dry, demanding sites. Its mat-forming habit helps heal bare ground and adds a subtle, textural layer to your landscape.

Another superb native is Pimelea mimosa, which features fine, silvery foliage and small white flowers in spring. This plant is perfect for sunny positions and tolerates poor soils, making it useful for tricky, low-maintenance areas.

For tidy, neat lines along paths or open beds, try Coprosma 'Flat Freddy'. Its ground-hugging growth and glossy leaves offer a fresh, evergreen look without overwhelming surrounding plants.

Reliable Exotics

Don't overlook tough, evergreen non-native ground covers. Ajuga 'Jungle Beauty' stands out for its deep, glossy foliage and striking purple-blue flower spikes in spring. It thrives in partial shade, making it ideal beneath trees or in woodland settings.

For slightly bolder foliage and robust performance, Ajuga 'Catlins Giant' delivers lush, ground-hugging leaves that suppress weeds and add drama to shaded beds and borders.

Tips for Planting Evergreen Ground Covers

When establishing evergreen ground cover plants in NZ, choose varieties that suit your site’s sunlight, soil, and moisture. Preparation is key: weed thoroughly, add organic compost, and space plants to allow for spreading growth. Many ground covers are tolerant of both dry and moist conditions once established, so they’re great for tricky spots. Mulch around new plants to retain moisture and boost establishment. Regular light trimming or deadheading can keep your ground covers dense and healthy.

Create Year-Round Beauty with Evergreen Ground Covers

Transform your outdoor spaces with reliable, colourful greenery by choosing evergreen ground cover plants in NZ. Whether you favour natives like Coprosma kirkii and Pimelea mimosa, or strong-performing exotics like Ajuga 'Jungle Beauty' and Ajuga 'Catlins Giant', your garden will benefit from their resilience, ease, and year-round appeal. Browse our full range to find the perfect ground cover for your 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.