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hardy ground cover plants full sun

Searching for hardy ground cover plants full sun? If you’re looking to transform a sunny spot in your garden with robust, low-maintenance ground covers, you’ve come to the right place. New Zealand gardeners know the importance of choosing ground cover plants that not only endure full sun but also thrive despite challenging conditions. Whether you need erosion control, weed suppression, or simply want to create a lush, beautiful landscape, hardy ground cover plants are the solution. Below, discover top plant choices, expert tips, and how to achieve a vibrant, sun-loving ground cover garden that lasts.

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 environments. It features dense, tangled, prostrate growth with delicate, needle-like foliage in shades of green to bronze.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Groundcover Plants
Height: 30 cm
Spread: 1.50 m
Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy, Wind
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Ground covering, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Ponds, Pool areas
Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Modern, Native
Muehlenbeckia complexa (Pohuehue) growing as a topiary hedge.

Muehlenbeckia complexa (Pohuehue)

5 from 3 customers

Muehlenbeckia complexa (Pohuehue) is a vigorous, hardy NZ native climber or groundcover. It features wiry, twining stems and small, glossy green leaves that create dense coverage. Growing up to 4 m wide and 2 m high, it’s perfect for fences, banks, or walls. Pohuehue tolerates wind, salt spray, and dry conditions once established.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Groundcover Plants
Height: 30 cm
Spread: 2.00 m
Flowering time: Summer
Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy, Wind
Garden uses: Arches, Banks, Borders, Containers, Ground covering, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Patios, Pool areas, Topiary, Walls
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Native
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
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 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
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
coprosma-repens-green-rocks-
Coprosma 'Green Rocks'

Coprosma 'Green Rocks' is a hardy evergreen shrub admired for its dense compact growth habit and fresh green glossy foliage. This attractive New...

From$17.95
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
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
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
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
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
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 Mini Cherry' plant with masses of red flowers growing in a pot on a patio.
Rose 'Flower Carpet Mini Cherry'

Rose 'Flower Carpet Mini Cherry' is a compact ground cover rose valued for its masses of vibrant cherry red flowers and exceptional disease...

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
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
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
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
Hedera canariensis growing on a wall with green foliage.
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...

From$17.95
Hedera 'Golden Ingot' plant with green and yellow foliage.
Hedera helix 'Golden Ingot'

Hedera helix ‘Golden Ingot’ is a striking evergreen ivy admired for its bright golden-yellow foliage edged with soft green tones. This compact and...

From$17.95
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Coprosma acerosa

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Acaena, Carex, and Coprosma, or related Categories - Grasses, Groundcover Plants, and Succulents.

Search hardy ground cover plants full sun

Why Choose Hardy Ground Cover Plants for Full Sun?

Full sun areas can be tough for some plants, but the right hardy ground cover plants will excel, offering evergreen foliage, resilience, and year-round interest. These plants help cool the soil, reduce water loss, suppress weeds, and add beauty with their varied textures and colours. Hardy ground cover plants full sun are chosen for their ability to withstand heat, drought, and exposure, making them perfect for New Zealand’s coastal, suburban, and rural gardens.

Top Hardy Ground Cover Plants for Full Sun

1. Pimelea prostrata 'Blue Peter'

Pimelea prostrata 'Blue Peter' is a standout native ground cover, valued for its compact habit and attractive blue-green foliage. It forms dense mats, smothering weeds and thriving in full sun, coastal, and dry sites. Its delicate white flowers are a bonus for pollinators.

2. Grevillea Gaudichaudii (Grevillea x gaudichaudii)

For bold, spreading cover, Grevillea Gaudichaudii brings handsome, deeply lobed leaves and showy crimson blooms. Adapted to New Zealand conditions, this Australian native hybrid copes superbly in full sun and tough soils, attracting birds and helping with erosion.

3. Coprosma Hawera (Sand Coprosma)

Native and coastal-tolerant, Coprosma Hawera (Sand Coprosma) is prized for its fine, bright green foliage and compact growth. This hardy ground cover plant loves full sun and is ideal for difficult sandy or exposed spots, creating a neat, attractive carpet.

4. Pimelea mimosa

For a low-growing option with elegant leaves and clusters of soft white flowers, Pimelea mimosa thrives in full sun and well-drained soils. It’s especially effective in rock gardens, banks, and open spaces needing reliable ground cover.

5. Muehlenbeckia complexa (Pohuehue)

If you want a versatile native with wiry stems, Muehlenbeckia complexa (Pohuehue) is ideal. It tolerates wind, salt, intense sun, and makes an excellent ground cover for coastal gardens and challenging sites, quickly forming dense, attractive greenery.

Success Tips for Planting Ground Covers in Full Sun

Discover the Best Hardy Ground Covers for NZ Gardens

Embrace hardy ground cover plants full sun for enduring beauty, healthier soil, and easier maintenance. Browse our wide range of natives and exotics, including Pimelea prostrata 'Blue Peter', Coprosma Hawera, Grevillea Gaudichaudii, Pimelea mimosa, and Muehlenbeckia complexa. Choose the perfect plant for your sunny spot and enjoy a garden that flourishes all year round.


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