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ground cover plants nz shade

Discovering the best ground cover plants NZ shade gardens can rely on is essential for lush, low-maintenance landscapes. Shaded areas under trees, along fences, or beside the house often present a gardening challenge, but with the right ground cover options, you can easily create vibrant, living carpets where grass struggles to grow. By choosing shade-loving ground cover plants, you'll not only suppress weeds and retain soil moisture but also add beautiful foliage and textures to every corner of your New Zealand garden.

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. 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.

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
Ajuga 'Port Wine' plant in a pot for sale at The Plant Company.

Ajuga 'Port Wine'

Ajuga 'Port Wine' brings deep wine coloured foliage and vivid blue flower spikes to NZ gardens, creating a rich tapestry of colour in shaded and semi shaded areas. This hardy ground cover spreads steadily to form a dense carpet that suppresses weeds and adds year round interest. It is ideal for borders, underplanting trees, or filling gaps between shrubs. Ajuga 'Port Wine' is an easy care plant that offers striking colour and dependable performance.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Groundcover Plants
Height: 20 cm
Spread: 60 cm
Flowering time: Spring, Summer
Tolerances: Coastal
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Ground covering, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Pool areas
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Tropical, Woodland
Ajuga 'Jungle Beauty' plants with elegant blue flowers and lush green leaves growing as a ground cover.

Ajuga 'Jungle Beauty'

Ajuga 'Jungle Beauty' (Carpet Bugle) is a vigorous evergreen groundcover valued for its large glossy green leaves flushed with bronze and its...

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Ajuga 'Pink Elf' plants for sale at The Plant Company nursery featuring with elegant spikes carrying pink flowers.

Ajuga 'Pink Elf'

Ajuga 'Pink Elf' is a charming ground cover that brings soft pink flower spikes and compact, vibrant foliage to NZ gardens. This petite and hardy...

From$18.23
Ajuga 'Catlins Giant' plants with green foliage and blue flowers growing in a garden bed.

Ajuga 'Catlins Giant'

Ajuga 'Catlins Giant' (Bugleweed Plant) is a vigorous evergreen groundcover valued for its large glossy dark green leaves and striking blue flower...

From$18.23
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$21.53
Ajuga reptans 'Variegata' plants with variegated foliage and blue flowers.

Ajuga reptans variegata

Ajuga reptans 'Variegata' is a quick-growing, ground-covering plant that features colourful leaves that are variegated green and cream. In spring, it...

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Carpodetus serratus prostrata plant with horizontal stems and marbled leaves.

Carpodetus serratus prostrata

Carpodetus serratus prostrata, commonly known as prostrate Marble Leaf or prostrate Putaputaweta, is a low-growing, NZ native shrub that is often...

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Isotoma fluviatilis plants grow as a ground cover, featuring lush, green foliage and attractive, blue flowers.

Isotoma fluviatilis

Isotoma fluviatilis features small, dark green leaves that give the appearance of a lush, green carpet. The foliage is adorned with masses of small...

From$19.58
Pratia angulata (Panakenake) plants growing as a dense ground cover with lush green leaves and pretty, white flowers.

Pratia angulata

Pratia angulata, commonly known as Panakenake, is a fast-growing, NZ native ground cover plant. It has small, rounded, green leaves that are held...

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Selliera 'Sundrops' plant with variegated yellow and green, fleshy leaves.

Selliera 'Sundrops'

Selliera 'Sundrops' is a tough low growing ground cover valued for its glossy green foliage and cheerful yellow daisy flowers that appear through the...

From$19.58
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$13.43
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$20.18
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Bergenia cordifolia (Pig Squeak Plant)

Bergenia cordifolia is a hardy evergreen perennial admired for its large glossy leaves and clusters of pink flowers in late winter and spring. This...

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Coprosma 'Flat Freddy' ground cover shrub with brown stems and leaves.

Coprosma 'Flat Freddy'

Coprosma 'Flat Freddy' is a unique ground covering evergreen shrub valued for its rich chocolate brown foliage and naturally spreading form. Well...

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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...

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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...

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Helichrysum petiolare (Licorice Plant)

Helichrysum petiolare, commonly known as the Licorice plant, is a popular, evergreen shrub that is often used as a groundcover. It produces long...

From$24.23
Pimelea prostrata 'Blue Peter' plants with fine and elegant, blue foliage.

Pimelea prostrata 'Blue Peter'

Pimelea prostrata 'Blue Peter', commonly known as Pinatoro or the NZ Daphne plant, is a mat-forming, NZ native, ground cover plant. It has small...

From$24.98
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Coprosma Green Rocks (Mirror Bush)

Coprosma Green Rocks, commonly known as Mirror Bush, is a NZ native shrub that carries glossy green leaves on spreading stems. This evergreen...

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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$20.93
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$33.68
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Vinca Elizabeth Cran

Vinca Elizabeth Cran is a variety of the commonly known, Lesser Periwinkle, features small, dark green leaves which are held densely on stems that...

From$19.58
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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$420.00
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Rhaphidophora decursiva

Rhaphidophora decursiva, commonly known as the Dragon Tail Plant or Philodendron Dragon, is a climber that features lush foliage and often grown as...

From$52.58
Carex 'Everlime' plants for sale at The Plant Company nursery.

Carex 'Everlime' (Lime Grass Plant)

Carex ‘Everlime’ (Japanese Sedge) is a popular evergreen sedge valued for its graceful arching green foliage edged with bright lime cream margins...

From$26.33
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Juniperus conferta

Juniperus conferta, commonly known as the Shore Juniper plant, is an impressive, ground hugging conifer which is often used as a groundcover. It...

From$205.02
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Chlorophytum Curly (Curly Spider Plant)

Chlorophytum Curly, commonly known as the Curly Spider Plant or Airplane plant, is a tender, herbaceous perennial grown for its lush, variegated, and...

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A Spearmint plant with lush, green leaves.

Mint Plant

Mint Plant (Spearmint) is a popular herb grown for its fresh fragrant leaves and versatile use in cooking drinks and home remedies. Well suited to...

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Shadecloth - 50% Shade (Shade Cloth)

This shade cloth which is also used as garden windbreak, reduces light levels and windspeeds by 50%. Therefore, 50% of the wind or light will still...

From$360.00
A lush Coprosma repens shrub growing in a shaded position.

Coprosma repens (Mirror Plant)

Coprosma repens, also known as Taupata or Mirror Plant, is a robust New Zealand native shrub featuring lush, glossy green foliage. Growing up to 3...

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A large Monstera deliciosa (Swiss Cheese Plant) in a garden with lush, green leaves.

Monstera deliciosa (Swiss Cheese Plant)

Monstera deliciosa, also known as the Swiss Cheese or Fruit Salad Plant, is a popular indoor tropical plant loved for its striking, holey leaves and...

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Coprosma kirkii

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Ajuga, Bergenia, Carex, Carpodetus, Chlorophytum, Coprosma, Gardenia, Helichrysum, Isotoma, Juniperus, Mint, Monstera, Muehlenbeckia, Pimelea, Pratia, Rhaphidophora, Sedum Selliera and Vinca, or related Categories - Shadecloth & Windbreak, Grasses, Groundcover Plants, Indoor Plants, Perennials Evergreen Shrubs and Succulents.

Search ground cover plants nz shade

Why Choose Shade-Tolerant Ground Covers?

Shaded spots tend to be cooler and moister, and selecting the right ground cover plants NZ shade situations require ensures lasting success with minimal upkeep. Ground covers for shade fill bare spaces with attractive foliage and seasonal flowers, transforming typically overlooked areas. Many shade-loving ground cover plants are also excellent for erosion control, especially on sloping sites or under established trees.

Top Shade-Loving Ground Cover Plants for NZ Gardens

When it comes to ground cover plants that flourish in NZ shade, several hardy and beautiful choices work well in both urban and rural gardens:

1. Coprosma kirkii

Native to New Zealand, Coprosma kirkii is a resilient ground cover that thrives in partial to full shade. Its dense, glossy foliage creates a lush mat, perfect for underplanting beneath trees or covering banks. Coprosma kirkii tolerates varying soil conditions and helps stabilise slopes while filtering light under taller plantings.

2. Ajuga Varieties

Ajuga species are among the most popular ground cover plants NZ shade gardeners trust for reliable performance. Their rosettes of colourful foliage and spikes of blue, purple, or pink flowers brighten even the darkest corners.

Tips for Planting and Maintaining Ground Covers in Shade

To get the best out of your ground cover plants NZ shade gardens deserve, start by enriching the soil with organic compost and ensuring good drainage. Space plants to allow for spreading, and water regularly until they're established. Annual applications of mulch will keep your ground covers healthy, help retain moisture, and reduce weed growth.

Ground cover plants for NZ shade gardens make landscaping easier, more sustainable, and a lot more enjoyable. With options like Coprosma kirkii, Ajuga 'Port Wine', and other Ajuga varieties, you’ll achieve a thriving, beautiful garden—no matter how shady the spot.


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.

There’s more to explore beyond Avocado 'Reed' and Ficus benjamina — like the subtle beauty of Dianthus Memories, Coffea arabica (Coffee), and Dracaena 'Amigo'.
–The Plant Company

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