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garden ground cover plants

If you’re looking to transform bare soil into a living carpet, garden ground cover plants offer an easy and attractive solution for every New Zealand landscape. These low-growing plants spread to form dense mats, suppress weeds, conserve moisture, and create a unified, lush look beneath shrubs, trees, or along pathways. With a wide variety of textures, colours, and flowering options available, it’s simple to find garden ground cover plants that thrive in both sun and shade, coastal sites, and challenging soils. Discover how the right ground cover can add beauty, curb appeal, and low-maintenance benefits to your garden.

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 period, it provides ongoing colour and attracts birds to New Zealand gardens. Its spreading habit makes it ideal for covering banks and large areas.

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate
Plant type: Groundcover Plants
Height: 60 cm
Spread: 1.50 m
Flowering time: Spring, Winter
Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy
Garden uses: Borders, Ground covering, Hedging, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Pool areas
Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Formal, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern, Tropical
Hedera canariensis growing on a wall with green foliage.

Hedera canariensis

5 from 1 customers

Hedera canariensis, commonly known as Canary Island Ivy, is a vigorous evergreen climber valued for its large, glossy green leaves and rapid growth. Ideal for covering fences, walls, and pergolas, it also makes an excellent ground cover for shaded or difficult areas.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Climbers
Height: 30.00 m
Spread: 30.00 m
Flowering time: Spring
Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy
Garden uses: Arches, Containers, Screening, Walls
Garden styles: Coastal, Japanese, Mediterranean
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
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
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
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
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
Dymondia margaretae growing between pavers and featuring small, grey foliage.
Dymondia margaretae

Dymondia margaretae (Silver Carpet) is a hardy low growing groundcover valued for its attractive silver green foliage and dense spreading habit. This...

From$13.95
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
rose-flower-carpet-gold--1
Rose Flower Carpet Gold

Rose Flower Carpet Gold is a popular ground cover rose that features masses of showy, yellow flowers. Flowering begins in spring and will continue...

From$34.43
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
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$9.95
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
rose-flower-carpet-scarlet-
Rose Flower Carpet Scarlet

Rose Flower Carpet Scarlet is a ground cover rose that features masses of showy, scarlet red flowers. The flowers are complemented with glossy, dark...

From$33.81
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
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
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
Rosmarinus officinalis 'Lockwood de Forest' plants trailing over a wall.
Rosmarinus 'Lockwood de Forest' (Creeping Rosemary)

Rosemary 'Lockwood de Forest' is a creeping or prostrate variety of Rosemary that features petite, blue flowers through winter and spring. These are...

From$22.01
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$6.95
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
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
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
Disphyma australe pink flowers and fleshy, green leaves.
Disphyma australe (NZ Ice Plant)

Disphyma australe, commonly known as NZ Ice Plant, is a hardy and attractive groundcover valued for its fleshy, bright green foliage and striking...

From$19.50
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
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
azalea-garden-party-
Azalea 'Garden Party'

Azalea 'Garden Party' is a charming evergreen azalea that produces masses of soft pink flowers during spring. The delicate blooms sit above glossy...

From$15.95
Stromanthe triostar plant.
Stromanthe Triostar (Stromanthe Plant)

Stromanthe Triostar is a popular indoor plant owing to its lush and colourful foliage. It features elegant, dark green, pink, and cream-coloured...

From$33.05
70-windbreak-2
Shadecloth - 70% Shade (Shade Cloth For Plants)

This shade cloth for plants, which is also used as plant windbreaks, reduces light levels and windspeeds by 70%. Therefore, 30% of the wind or light...

From$499.80
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
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
apricot-garden-annie-
Apricot 'Garden Annie'

Apricot 'Garden Annie' is a compact apricot tree prized for its sweet juicy fruit and attractive spring blossom display. This deciduous fruit tree is...

From$404.59
Grevillea 'Bronze Rambler'

Did you find what you are looking for?

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

Search garden ground cover plants

Why Choose Garden Ground Cover Plants?

Garden ground cover plants do more than fill space. They help to stabilise steep banks, control erosion, and reduce the need for mulching and weeding. Whether you need vigorous creepers to handle foot traffic or delicate mounding varieties for borders, there’s a ground cover to match every location. Ground covers can soften hard edges, cascade over retaining walls, and even thrive under larger trees where grass struggles to grow.

Top Garden Ground Cover Plants for New Zealand Gardens

Explore some of our favourite tried-and-true options for different locations and design styles:

Planting and Maintaining Garden Ground Cover Plants

Getting the best from garden ground cover plants is all about initial soil preparation and the right plant choices. Loosen the soil, remove persistent weeds, and add compost to encourage rapid establishment. Space your plants according to their mature spread for a fast, seamless effect. Keep new plantings well-watered, then enjoy the low-maintenance benefits as your ground covers take off. Occasional trimming and feeding will keep them looking lush and healthy for years to come.

Browse our collection and unleash the potential of your outdoor spaces with durable, beautiful, and hardworking garden ground cover plants.


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.

–The Plant Company

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