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ground cover shrubs

Discover the beauty and practicality of ground cover shrubs for your New Zealand garden. These low-growing, spreading plants are perfect for creating lush carpets of foliage, reducing maintenance, and enhancing curb appeal. Whether you’re dealing with steep banks, difficult soils, or want to add colour and texture to garden beds, ground cover shrubs offer a versatile solution.

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0.51 Litre Thermoformed Plant Pots

These lightweight pots are a cost-effective means for growing on plants. They feature a strong and broad rim, have been UV stabilised for NZ...

From$20.00
15-litre-plant-pots-

1.5 Litre Thermoformed Plant Pots

These lightweight pots are a cost effective means for growing on plants. They feature a strong and broad rim, have been UV stabilised for NZ...

From$23.75
10-litre-plant-pots-

10 Litre Thermoformed Plant Pots

These lightweight pots are a cost effective means for growing on plants. They feature a strong and broad rim, have been UV stabilised for NZ...

From$5.00
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12-months controlled release fertiliser

Controlled release fertilisers are specifically designed to release nutrients over a designated time period under NZ conditions and are widely used...

From$13.75
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2.5 Litre Thermoformed Plant Pots

These lightweight pots are a cost-effective means for growing on plants. They feature a strong and broad rim, have been UV stabilised for NZ...

From$32.50
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2m wide Black Polythene

This polythene is 80 microns thick, very durable, and suits a host of different uses. Please enquire about larger sizes and heavier grades.

From$254.60
3-litre-plant-pots-

3.5 Litre Thermoformed Plant Pots

These lightweight pots are a cost-effective means for growing on plants. They feature a strong and broad rim, have been UV stabilised for NZ...

From$42.50
9-months-controlled-release-fertiliser-

9 months controlled release fertiliser

Controlled release fertilisers are specifically designed to release nutrients over a designated time period under NZ conditions and are widely used...

From$13.75
Abelia 'Sunshine Daydream' shrub with variegated green and orange foliage with white flowers.

Abelia 'Sunshine Daydream'

Abelia 'Sunshine Daydream' is a vibrant evergreen shrub admired for its golden yellow and green variegated foliage that glows throughout the seasons...

From$24.23
Abutilon hot pink: A vibrant pink flower with delicate petals and green leaves, adding a pop of color to any garden or floral arrangement.

Abutilon Hot Pink

Abutilon Hot Pink, commonly known as Chinese Lantern, Flowering Maple, or Parlour Maple, features showy, bright pink, lantern-shaped flowers. The...

From$26.93
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Abutilon Lucky Lantern Yellow

Abutilon Lucky Lantern Yellow, commonly known as Chinese Lantern, Flowering Maple, or Parlour Maple, is a dwarf variety that grows to just 50 cm tall...

From$26.93
Abutilon megapotamicum red and yellow flower.

Abutilon megapotamicum

Abutilon megapotamicum, commonly known as Trailing Abutilon or Chinese Lantern, is a graceful shrub with arching stems and distinctive red and yellow...

From$26.93
abutilon-orange-

Abutilon Orange

Abutilon Orange, commonly known as Chinese Lantern, Red Flowering Maple, or Parlour Maple, features showy, bright orange, lantern-shaped flowers...

From$26.93
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Abutilon White Gold (Chinese Lantern)

Abutilon White Gold, commonly known as Chinese Lantern, Flowering Maple, or Parlour Maple, features showy, white flowers with a yellow centre. This...

From$26.93
Lush foliage on Acacia Fettuccine growing in a pot.

Acacia Fettuccini

Acacia Fettuccini is a shrub grown for its attractive foliage and form. It has decorative, rippled, lime green foliage which is held with a somewhat...

From$56.63
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Acacia howittii (Sticky Wattle)

Acacia howittii, commonly known as the Sticky Wattle tree, is a fast-growing, small tree that is grown for its weeping growth habit. The branches...

From$897.86
Acacia 'Limelight' growing with cascading green foliage in a border garden.

Acacia 'Limelight'

Acacia 'Limelight' is a shrub grown for its attractive foliage and form. It has soft, weeping, lime-green foliage, which is held on stems to give the...

From$43.13
An Acacia melanoxylon specimen tree.

Acacia melanoxylon (Blackwood Wattle)

Acacia melanoxylon, commonly known as the Acacia Blackwood Wattle or Australian Blackwood, is an evergreen tree that grows rapidly to 30 m tall and...

From$277.74
Acaena inermis purpurea with small purple leaves.

Acaena purpurea (Piripiri)

Acaena purpurea, commonly known as Purple Bidibidi, is a hardy New Zealand native groundcover admired for its striking purple foliage and creeping...

From$24.23
A strong and studry planting spade.

Ace1 Planting Spade

The Ace 1 planting spade is a must for any gardener. This spade is designed so it can penetrate the ground easily without jarring the wrists in the...

From$158.00
Acer 'Armstrong' bright red foliage.

Acer 'Armstrong'

Acer 'Armstrong' is a distinctive Maple grown for its narrow, upright growth habit and fabulous autumn colours. This fast-growing tree produces a...

From$382.61
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Acer Brandywine (Brandywine Maple)

Acer rubrum Brandywine is an outstanding deciduous tree grown for its lovely form and striking autumn colours. It features lush, mid-green foliage...

From$382.61
Acer 'Jeffersred' trees with red foliage in a street planting.

Acer freemanii 'Jeffersred'

Acer freemanii 'Jeffersred' is a striking deciduous maple valued for its strong upright form and outstanding autumn colour. This fast growing tree...

From$382.61
Acer 'Kelly's Gold' specimen tree with golden-yellow foliage.

Acer negundo 'Kelly's Gold'

Acer negundo 'Kelly's Gold' is a vibrant deciduous maple prized for its bright golden yellow foliage that brings colour and contrast to the...

From$450.68
Acer palmatum 'Bloodgood' specimen tree with colourful dark red foliage.

Acer palmatum 'Bloodgood'

Acer palmatum 'Bloodgood' (Bloodgood Japanese Maple) is one of the most reliable and popular Japanese maples, valued for its deep red foliage and...

From$391.14
Acer 'Burgundy Lace' specimen tree with purple foliage.

Acer palmatum 'Burgundy Lace'

Acer palmatum 'Burgundy Lace' is a refined Japanese maple admired for its finely dissected deep burgundy foliage and graceful weeping form. This...

From$450.68
Acer palmatum 'Crimson Queen' specimen tree with purple-red cascading foliage.

Acer palmatum 'Crimson Queen'

Acer palmatum 'Crimson Queen' is a highly admired weeping Japanese maple known for its finely dissected burgundy foliage that retains rich colour...

From$382.61
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Acer palmatum 'Osakazuki'

Acer palmatum 'Osakazuki' is a highly regarded Japanese maple famous for producing some of the most intense scarlet red autumn colour of any maple...

From$391.14
Acer 'Shaina' small and round trees with elegant, dark red-purple foliage.

Acer palmatum 'Shaina'

Acer palmatum 'Shaina' is a compact Japanese maple prized for its intense crimson red foliage and naturally tidy upright habit. This deciduous tree...

From$382.61
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Acer palmatum 'Shirazz'

Acer palmatum 'Shirazz' is a stunning variegated Japanese Maple admired for its rich purple red foliage edged with soft pink. The colourful leaves...

From$158.89
0.51 Litre Thermoformed Plant Pots

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You might be interested in exploring our full range of or related Categories - Black polythene, Fertilisers, Plant pots, Spades, Groundcover Plants, Deciduous Shrubs, Evergreen Shrubs Evergreen Trees and Maple Tree.

Search ground cover shrubs

Why Choose Ground Cover Shrubs?

Ground cover shrubs play a vital role in modern landscaping. They suppress weeds, control erosion, and provide year-round interest. Many varieties flower throughout the seasons, attracting pollinators and adding splashes of colour to your garden. With the right selection, you can create a visually appealing and low-maintenance landscape that thrives in New Zealand conditions.

Top Ground Cover Shrubs for New Zealand Gardens

Selecting the best groundcover plants depends on your garden’s unique needs, such as sunlight, soil type, and desired appearance. Here are some standout options available in our collection:

Grevillea Silk Carpet (Silk Carpet Grevillea)

Loved for its fine foliage and showy red-pink flowers, Grevillea Silk Carpet (Silk Carpet Grevillea) is a hardy, drought-tolerant shrub. It forms a dense mat, making it ideal for retaining banks and suppressing weeds in sun-soaked locations.

Hemiandra pungens (Snake Bush)

With its profusion of delicate, pastel-hued blooms, Hemiandra pungens (Snake Bush) quickly spreads to create a soft, flower-studded ground cover. This shrub thrives in poor soils and can handle tough spots where little else survives.

Juniperus Lutchuensis

Evergreen and elegantly textured, Juniperus Lutchuensis lends year-round structure with its trailing, blue-green needles. Low-growing junipers like this are perfect for borders, rockeries, and slopes where erosion control is needed.

Ajuga Burgundy Lace

If you’re after vivid foliage and a pop of blue during spring, Ajuga Burgundy Lace is a must-have. This ground cover forms a dense, mat-like habit and works beautifully beneath trees, in partial shade, or at the garden’s edge.

Correa Mallee Bells

For shaded areas and underplanting, Correa Mallee Bells combines charming bell-shaped flowers with hardy, drought-resistant foliage. It’s especially effective for brightening up woodland gardens and filling awkward spaces.

Tips for Planting and Maintaining Ground Cover Shrubs

To get the most out of your ground cover shrubs, start with healthy plants, space them appropriately, and water well during establishment. Applying mulch between new plants helps suppress weeds as they fill in. Most groundcover plants are remarkably easy-care once mature, needing little more than occasional pruning and the odd feed.

Transform Your Landscape with Ground Cover Shrubs

Explore our handpicked selection of ground cover shrubs to transform bare spots and create a thriving, low-maintenance garden. Whether you’re looking for hardy natives, colourful bloomers, or evergreen foliage, our range has options suited to every Kiwi garden. Choose the right groundcover shrubs and enjoy a lush, healthy garden 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.

–The Plant Company

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