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hardy perennial plants

Searching for hardy perennial plants that thrive in New Zealand gardens? These robust, long-lived beauties offer colour, texture, and resilience year after year—meaning less maintenance and more enjoyment in your outdoor space. Whether you’re planting for borders, groundcover, or statement specimens, hardy perennial plants are an ideal choice for both novice and experienced gardeners. With the right selection, you can build a garden that’s attractive in every season, withstands varying weather, and delights with continual blooms.

Elegant Dietes grandiflora flowers.

Dietes grandiflora (Fairy Iris)

5 from 1 customers

Dietes grandiflora, also known as Wild Iris or Fairy Iris, is a robust, clump-forming perennial prized for its large white flowers with yellow and violet markings. Blooming repeatedly through the warmer months, it adds elegance to New Zealand gardens.

From $15.87

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Perennials
Height: 70 cm
Spread: 40 cm
Flowering time: Spring, Summer
Tolerances: Extended dry periods, Hardy
Garden uses: Borders, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Pool areas
Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern
Orthrosanthus multiflorus grass plant with elegant, blue flowers.

Orthrosanthus multiflorus (Morning Iris)

Orthrosanthus multiflorus (Morning Flag) is a hardy evergreen perennial valued for its grassy foliage and masses of delicate pale blue star shaped flowers. Flowering over a long period this versatile plant performs well in many New Zealand conditions.

From $22.01

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate
Plant type: Perennials
Height: 30 cm
Spread: 30 cm
Flowering time: Spring, Summer
Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Pool areas
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern
vinca-elizabeth-cran-1
Vinca 'Elizabeth Cran'

Vinca 'Elizabeth Cran' is an attractive evergreen perennial valued for its rich green foliage, spreading habit, and colourful seasonal flowers. Its...

From$20.01
Dietes iridioides (African Iris) flowers amidst dark green foliage.
Dietes iridioides (African Iris)

Dietes iridioides, commonly known as the African Iris or Fortnight Lily, is a hardy, evergreen perennial native to southern Africa. It features...

From$17.87
Acanthus mollis perennial with purple-white flowers above lush, green foliage.
Acanthus mollis (Bears Breeches)

Acanthus mollis, known as Bears Breeches or Oyster Plant, is a bold and striking perennial that adds a touch of elegance to NZ gardens. It features...

From$24.95
erigeron-sea-breeze--5
Erigeron glaucus 'Sea Breeze'

Erigeron glaucus 'Sea Breeze' is a hardy coastal perennial admired for its masses of soft daisy like flowers and attractive grey green foliage...

From$20.01
agapanthus-sarah-
Agapanthus 'Sarah'

Agapanthus Sarah is a compact and attractive perennial known for its rich coloured flower heads and tidy clumping habit. It performs exceptionally...

From$17.95
agapanthus-lapis-5
Agapanthus 'Lapis'

Agapanthus 'Lapis' is a compact and elegant perennial prized for its abundant clusters of rich blue flowers that appear above tidy clumps of lush...

From$13.95
Zephyranthes candida plants covered in white flowers.
Zephyranthes candida

Zephyranthes candida (Rain Lily) is a charming bulbous perennial valued for its crisp white star shaped flowers that appear after rainfall. Well...

From$15.18
mesembryanthemum-purple-splendour--2
Mesembryanthemum Purple Splendour

“Purple Splendour” is a variety of the commonly known, Iceplant, and is an herbaceous perennial grown for its spreading nature and pretty flowers. It...

From$22.01
Cissus rhombifolia trailling over the sides of a planter with lush foliage.
Cissus rhombifolia (Grape Ivy)

Cissus rhombifolia, commonly known as the Grape Ivy plant, is an evergreen perennial grown for its colourful and trailing foliage. Hanging stems host...

From$31.67
Verbena bonariensis (Tall Verbena) plants with purple flowers bordering a path.
Verbena bonariensis (Tall Verbena)

Verbena bonariensis, commonly known as Tall Verbena, is a striking perennial that brings height and elegance to New Zealand gardens. It produces...

From$24.77
scutellaria-snowflakes--1
Scutellaria Snowflakes (Scutellaria Skullcap)

Scutellaria Snowflakes, commonly known as Scutellaria Skullcap or the Skullcaps plant, is grown for its foliage and flowers. This versatile and...

From$12.95
Coprosma Poor Knights with lush green foliage.
Coprosma 'Poor Knights' (Taupata)

Coprosma 'Poor Knights' is a vibrant evergreen shrub valued for its glossy lime green foliage and compact rounded habit. This NZ native selection...

From$11.95
White flowers on a Cistus 'Snowmound' plant with green foliage.
Cistus 'Snowmound' (White Rock Rose Plant)

Cistus ‘Snowmound’ is a compact evergreen shrub that produces a breathtaking display of pure white flowers with golden-yellow centres from late...

From$24.77
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$14.95
agave-americana-variegata--1
Agave americana 'Variegata' (Variegated Century Plant)

Agave americana 'Variegata' is a striking evergreen succulent valued for its bold architectural form and strongly variegated foliage. It forms a...

From$15.95
Coprosma 'Black Cloud' shrub in a garden with black and green foliage.
Coprosma 'Black Cloud' (Black Coprosma)

Coprosma 'Black Cloud' is a striking evergreen shrub valued for its deep near black foliage and compact growth habit. Well suited to New Zealand...

From$16.95
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
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
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...

From$16.49
strelitzia-nicolai-
Strelitzia nicolai (White Bird Of Paradise Plant)

Strelitzia nicolai (Giant White Bird Of Paradise) is a bold, architectural plant known for its large banana like leaves and striking white and blue...

From$44.09
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
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
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...

From$44.09
Moss pole for plants.
Moss Pole For Plants (Moss Pole For Plants)

These moss poles for plants are made from Coir Fibre (i.e., the husks of coconuts). They are an eco-friendly option to help plants grow healthier and...

From$6.90
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$225.86
pb-8-planter-bags-1
PB8 Planter Bags (Potting Bags For Plants)

These PB8 planter bags are 125 microns thick and hold 4.5 litres of potting mix. They are durable and won’t rip which makes them great for handling...

From$51.69
pb-18-planter-bags-
PB18 Planter Bags (Grow Plant Bags)

These PB18 planter bags are 125 microns thick and each bag holds 10 litres of potting mix. They are durable and won’t rip which makes them great for...

From$77.47
fertiliser-for-acid-loving-plants-
Fertiliser for acid loving plants (Acid Fertiliser)

Using fertiliser for acid loving plants is important for plants such as Camellias, Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Daphne’s, Gardenia’s, and Hydrangea’s who...

From$8.64
plant-pots-
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$37.44
half-litre-plant-pots-
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$23.04
Dietes grandiflora (Fairy Iris)

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Acanthus, Agapanthus, and Dietes, or related Categories - Groundcover Plants, Perennials, and Succulents.

Search hardy perennial plants

What Makes Perennial Plants Hardy?

Hardy perennial plants are those that can survive New Zealand's diverse climate, from frosty winters to humid summers. Their ability to return each spring, often stronger than before, makes them prized additions to the landscape. Gardeners love hardy perennials for their tolerance to neglect and tough conditions, meaning you don't need to fuss over them for exceptional results.

Top Hardy Perennial Plants for New Zealand Gardens

There’s no shortage of stunning, easy-care options to suit garden beds, containers, or borders. For rich blue flowers and lush foliage, look at Geranium himalayense Irish Blue (Hardy Geranium Plants). This reliable perennial produces vibrant blooms throughout summer and is famed for its resilience, making it a favourite for cottage gardens and pollinator-friendly spaces.

If you need hardy groundcover, Ceratostigma plumbaginoides (Hardy Plumbago) offers striking blue flowers from late summer, followed by vivid autumn foliage. It thrives in sunny spots and suppresses weeds effectively.

For coastal gardens or rockeries, Armeria maritima 'Rubra' provides vibrant pink clusters. This hardy perennial tolerates harsh winds and poor soils, making it perfect for tough landscape positions.

Those seeking bold foliage and winter interest will appreciate Bergenia cordifolia (Pig Squeak Plant). This perennial features large, glossy leaves and pink spring flowers, enduring cold and dry spells with ease.

Of course, no Kiwi perennial list is complete without Agapanthus Charlotte (Charlotte Agapanthus). Known for its striking blue blooms and robust habit, this versatile variety is perfect for borders and mass planting.

Benefits of Hardy Perennial Plants

Hardy perennial plants are not only beautiful, they’re practical. Once established, they require minimal watering and offer reliable performance year after year. Their adaptability means they can be used for erosion control, as groundcovers, or simply to create low-maintenance gardens that shine in every season. With perennial plants, you invest in a living landscape that matures and improves over time.

Tips for Planting and Caring for Hardy Perennials

For best results: - Choose locations with suitable sunlight and drainage. - Prepare the soil with compost before planting. - Mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds. - Prune faded flowers to encourage repeat blooming. - Divide clumps every few years to rejuvenate growth.

With these simple steps, your hardy perennial plants will provide enduring beauty and structure to your garden, whatever the weather. Start your collection with tough, rewarding choices like Geranium himalayense Irish Blue (Hardy Geranium Plants) or Ceratostigma plumbaginoides (Hardy Plumbago) and watch your garden flourish.

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.

Illustration of plant leaves.
Lomandra Lime Tuff and Agapanthus 'Gayles Lilac' are tried and true, but new favourites like Orange 'Fukumoto', Plum Hawera, and Liriope 'Blue Skies' are just waiting to be discovered.
–The Plant Company

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