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fragrant ground cover plants

If you dream of a garden where every step releases delightful perfume, fragrant ground cover plants are the perfect solution. Not only do these versatile plants provide a lush carpet of foliage and flowers, but they also fill your outdoor spaces with wonderful aromas. Suitable for paths, borders, and tricky spots where you crave both beauty and fragrance, these ground covers thrive in a variety of New Zealand garden conditions. Read on to discover top-performing fragrant ground cover plants, tips for successful planting, and how to choose the best varieties for your garden.

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

Gardenia radicans

5 from 4 customers

Gardenia radicans is a compact, low-growing shrub prized for its glossy green foliage and intensely fragrant white flowers. Blooming from late spring through summer, it adds a sweet perfume and lush texture to NZ gardens.

From $18.95

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate
Plant type: Groundcover Plants
Height: 40 cm
Spread: 70 cm
Flowering time: Spring, Summer
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Ground covering, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Pool areas
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Cottage, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Tropical, White
Trachelospermum jasminoides (Star Jasmine) as a ground cover showing lush foliage and white flowers.

Trachelospermum jasminoides (Star Jasmine)

5 from 10 customers

Star Jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides) is a versatile, evergreen climber renowned for its glossy green leaves and masses of highly fragrant white flowers in summer. In New Zealand, it thrives in full sun or partial shade and prefers well-drained soil.

From $11.50

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate
Plant type: Climbers
Height: 50 cm
Spread: 2.00 m
Flowering time: Spring, Summer
Tolerances: Hardy
Garden uses: Arches, Borders, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Pool areas
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Tropical, White
Chamaemelum nobile plants with white flowers and lush, green foliage.
Chamaemelum nobile (Chamomile)

Chamaemelum nobile (Lawn Chamomile, Roman Chamomile) is a low growing evergreen herb valued for its fragrant feathery foliage, delicate daisy like...

From$15.95
Gardenia 'Fragrant Star' white flowers and dark green foliage.
Gardenia 'Fragrant Star'

Gardenia 'Fragrant Star' is a compact, evergreen shrub prized for its intensely perfumed, star-shaped white flowers and glossy green foliage...

From$18.95
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Ficus pumila 'Ice Caps' plant with trailling variegated foliage.
Ficus 'Ice Caps'

Ficus 'Ice Caps' is a variety of Creeping Fig that features variegated leaves. It carries small, heart-shaped leaves which are light green with a...

From$9.95
Rose 'Flower Carpet White' plants for sale at The Plant Company nursery.
Rose 'Flower Carpet White'

Rose 'Flower Carpet White' is a popular ground cover rose valued for its masses of pure white flowers and exceptional disease resistance. This tough...

From$26.91
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
Carex solandri grass in a NZ native planting.
Carex solandri

Carex solandri is a NZ native, ornamental grass that features attractive, dark green foliage. The foliage emerges upright and develops a gentle and...

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
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
Ophiopogon japonicus nana (dwarf Mondo grass) growing between paving stones.
Ophiopogon japonicus Nana

Ophiopogon japonicus 'Nana' is a dwarf or mini Mondo Grass grown for its delicate, dark green foliage. Flower spikes are borne in summer and bear...

From$9.95
Ophiopogon planiscapus (Mondo Grass) with lush green foliage growing as a ground cover.
Ophiopogon planiscapus

Ophiopogon planiscapus, commonly known as Dwarf Lilyturf, is a Mondo grass grown for its fine, dark green foliage and short stature. The foliage is...

From$6.95
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
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
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
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
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
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
zamioculcas-black-knight-
Zamioculcas Black Knight (Zamioculcas Plant)

Zamioculcas Black Knight is a very popular indoor plant owing to its dark and showy foliage. It grows as a clump and produces upright fronds which...

From$41.33
Gardenia radicans

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Arthropodium, Chamaemelum, and Coprosma, or related Categories - Evergreen Climbers, Groundcover Plants, and Perennials.

Search fragrant ground cover plants

Top Fragrant Ground Cover Plants for Kiwi Gardens

The best fragrant ground covers offer both stunning scents and reliable coverage. Some tried-and-true favourites for New Zealand gardens include:

Chamaemelum nobile (Chamomile)

Chamomile forms a low, dense mat of fine, aromatic foliage and cheerful daisy-like flowers. When planted between pavers or along a garden path, Chamaemelum nobile (Chamomile) releases a sweet apple scent with every step, making it a favourite for sensory and cottage gardens.

Gardenia radicans

Known for its classic, creamy-white blooms and irresistible perfume, Gardenia radicans is a ground-hugging form of gardenia ideal for mass planting. Its glossy green foliage and fragrant flowers add elegance to sunny patios and shaded corners alike.

Sarcococca ruscifolia (Fragrant Sweetbox)

One of the most delightful winter-blooming groundcovers, Sarcococca ruscifolia (Fragrant Sweetbox) brings a spicy, sweet fragrance to even the shadiest spots. Its compact growth makes it perfect for under-planting trees or lining shaded paths.

Gardenia Fragrant Star

If you love intoxicating fragrance, Gardenia Fragrant Star offers a profusion of large, perfumed blooms throughout the warmer months. This ground-hugging variety will quickly fill your beds with glossy foliage and that classic gardenia scent.

Pimelea prostrata 'Blue Peter'

For a native option that doesn’t compromise on beauty or scent, Pimelea prostrata 'Blue Peter' is a standout. Its delicate, pale blue flowers emit a gentle perfume and provide important nectar for pollinators, all while creating a dense, attractive ground cover.

How to Grow Fragrant Ground Cover Plants

Planting fragrant ground cover plants is a simple way to transform problem areas in your garden into sensory paradises. Choose a position suited to your chosen plant’s needs—many, like gardenias, prefer well-drained, slightly acidic soil and filtered sun or partial shade. Keep roots cool and moist, especially during the first season, and mulch well to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

For extra fragrance, consider planting different varieties together to achieve a tapestry of scents and textures. Regular feeding and occasional trimming after flowering will keep your ground covers lush and healthy.

Add Scent and Beauty to Every Corner

From the sunny pathways lined with chamomile to the shaded nooks brightened by sweetbox, fragrant ground cover plants bring life and aroma to all areas of your garden. Whether you’re after year-round scent, native options, or elegant blooms, our carefully selected range has something for every space. Browse our collection to discover fragrance, beauty, and easy-care solutions for your garden.

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.
Our most famous blooms include Azara microphylla and Corokia 'Mangatangi', but some of our best-kept secrets are Tilia platyphyllos, Echinopsis oxygona, and Libocedrus plumosa (Kawaka) — underrated beauties ready to shine.
–The Plant Company

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