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

If you’re searching for good ground cover plants to fill garden spaces, suppress weeds, and add year-round beauty, you’re in the right place. Choosing the right ground cover can transform bare patches into lush, living carpets that support soil health and reduce garden maintenance. Whether you want vibrant foliage, hardy creepers for tough spots, or ground covers with stunning flowers, New Zealand gardeners have a wide variety of options to suit every style and site.

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.

Buy Coprosma kirkii

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

Hedera canariensis

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.

Buy Hedera canariensis

From $17.95

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

Why Choose Good Ground Cover Plants?

Good ground cover plants do more than just look attractive – they protect the soil from erosion, act as living mulch, regulate soil temperature, and help retain moisture. Many varieties are also ideal for slopes and hard-to-mow areas. For busy gardeners, ground covers can mean less weeding and less watering, creating an easy-care garden with year-round interest.

Top Varieties to Try

When it comes to selecting good ground cover plants, it’s important to match the plant to your site’s conditions. Here are some excellent choices available at our nursery:

Grevillea Gaudichaudii (Grevillea x gaudichaudii)

This tough, fast-growing ground cover features striking dark green foliage with vivid reddish new growth. Grevillea Gaudichaudii (Grevillea x gaudichaudii) produces rich burgundy flowers in spring and summer, attracting birds and adding colour to sunny, dry spots.

Grevillea Bronze Rambler (Groundcover Grevillea)

Known for its trailing, bronze-toned leaves, Grevillea Bronze Rambler (Groundcover Grevillea) creates a dense, weed-suppressing mat. It's ideal for sun-drenched banks or under larger shrubs where a low-growing, textural feature is desired.

Ajuga reptans variegata

If you’re looking for colour and shade tolerance, Ajuga reptans variegata is a superb choice. Its glossy, variegated leaves and blue flower spikes make it popular for borders and shady nooks. It spreads readily, covering bare soil with minimal care.

Coprosma kirkii 'variegata'

This native evergreen, Coprosma kirkii 'variegata', is valued for its tough, low-growing habit and silvery-variegated leaves. It thrives in coastal and exposed sites, making it both practical and highly ornamental.

Ajuga 'Catlins Giant'

For dramatic foliage and reliable coverage, Ajuga 'Catlins Giant' offers broad bronze-green leaves and vivid blue flower spikes each spring. It’s suited to mixed beds, under trees, or where a splash of colour is needed.

How to Plant and Care for Ground Covers

Plant your chosen ground covers in well-prepared soil for best results. Space them according to their mature spread, keep them well-watered until established, and top up mulch annually to suppress weeds and conserve moisture. Most good ground cover plants are low maintenance once established, rewarding you with years of beautiful, living coverage.

Explore our nursery’s full range to discover even more options for transforming your garden with good ground cover plants. The right selection will give you a greener, healthier, and easier-care landscape all year round.

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.