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hosta ground cover

If you’re looking for a lush, low-maintenance solution to shady garden spots in New Zealand, hosta ground cover is a superb choice. Hostas are renowned for their beautiful foliage, rapid spreading habit, and resilience in tricky conditions. Whether you’re covering the bare ground under mature trees, filling gaps along garden borders, or crafting vibrant displays beneath shrubs, hosta ground cover offers both beauty and practicality for Kiwi gardens.

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. Ideal for covering fences, walls, and pergolas, it also makes an excellent ground cover for shaded or difficult areas. This hardy and adaptable plant adds lush texture and greenery to New Zealand gardens all year round with minimal care.

From $22.01

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
Hedera helix 'Needlepoint' creeping stems with green foliage.

Hedera helix 'Needlepoint'

5 from 2 customers

Hedera helix ‘Needlepoint’ is a refined evergreen ivy featuring small, deeply lobed leaves with a delicate, pointed shape. This compact and elegant variety provides year-round greenery and texture, making it perfect for both indoor and outdoor spaces. It thrives in New Zealand conditions, offering excellent coverage on walls, fences, or as low-maintenance ground cover in shaded areas.

From $20.63

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Climbers
Height: 3.00 m
Spread: 3.00 m
Flowering time: Summer
Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy
Garden uses: Arches, Living areas, Pool areas, Screening, Walls
Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Modern
Pyrethropsis hosmariensis plant with dark green foliage and white flowers.
Pyrethropsis hosmariensis (Rhodanthemum)

Pyrethropsis hosmariensis (otherwise known as Chrysanthemum hosmariense or Leucanthemum hosmariense) is a shrub that features interesting foliage and...

From$39.95
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$18.63
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$20.63
Muehlenbeckia complexa (Pohuehue) growing as a topiary hedge.
Muehlenbeckia complexa (Pohuehue)

Muehlenbeckia complexa (Pohuehue) is a vigorous, hardy NZ native climber or groundcover. It features wiry, twining stems and small, glossy green...

From$20.63
hosta-dew-drop-2
Hosta 'Dew Drop'

Hosta 'Dew Drop' is a charming perennial known for its soft green foliage edged with creamy white. It brings a fresh, bright look to shaded areas in...

From$24.77
vinca-elizabeth-cran-1
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$20.01
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$23.39
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$20.01
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$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
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$20.63
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$16.95
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$21.39
bergenia-cordifolia-rotblum-
Bergenia 'Rotblum' (Heart Leaf Bergenia)

Bergenia 'Rotblum' is a hardy evergreen perennial admired for its bold glossy foliage and vibrant deep pink flowers that appear in late winter and...

From$18.95
Chamaemelum nobile plants with white flowers and lush, green foliage.
Chamaemelum nobile (Chamomile)

Chamaemelum nobile, known as Lawn Chamomile or Roman Chamomile, is a fragrant, low-growing perennial herb ideal for lawns, borders, and herbal...

From$23.39
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...

From$7.50
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
Grevillea prostrata 'Aurea' yellow flower.
Grevillea prostrata Aurea

Grevillea 'Prostrata Aurea' is a low growing evergreen shrub admired for its finely divided foliage and masses of golden yellow spider flowers that...

From$28.91
Westringia Low Horizon with lush grey foliage as a groundcover plant.
Westringia 'Low Horizon'

Westringia 'Low Horizon' is a variety of the commonly known Coastal Rosemary, and is a fast-growing shrub. It features narrow grey-green leaves held...

From$18.95
Ophiopogon japonicus (Green Mondo Grass) growing as a groundcover in a woodland garden.
Ophiopogon japonicus

Ophiopogon japonicus, commonly known as green Mondo Grass, is a striking ornamental grass. It grows as a clump and produces a dense tuft of...

From$6.95
Ophiopogon planiscapus nigrescens (Black Mondo) plants with lush, black foliage.
Ophiopogon japonicus nigrescens

Ophiopogon japonicus nigrescens, commonly known as Black Mondo Grass, is a clump-forming plant with fine, near black foliage. The foliage is...

From$9.95
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
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...

From$18.63
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
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...

From$20.01
Hedera 'Silver Variegata' dark green and cream variegated foliage.
Hedera 'Silver Variegated'

Hedera ‘Silver Variegated’ is a striking evergreen ivy with silvery-green leaves edged in creamy white. Its elegant variegation brightens shaded...

From$20.63
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
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$20.01
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
Geranium Kashmir White plant in a garden with masses of white flowers.
Geranium 'Kashmir White'

Geranium 'Kashmir White' is a hardy perennial admired for its elegant white flowers and soft, textured foliage. It provides long lasting colour in...

From$22.01
Hedera canariensis

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Ajuga, Hedera, and Hosta, or related Categories - Evergreen Climbers, Groundcover Plants, and Perennials.

Search hosta ground cover

Why Use Hosta as a Ground Cover?

Hostas truly shine as ground cover plants thanks to their dense foliage and adaptability. As perennials that thrive in part to full shade, hostas suppress weeds naturally and hold moisture in the soil. Their broad, textured leaves form a leafy carpet, transforming dull spaces into green sanctuaries. Because hosta ground cover multiplies year after year, choosing the right varieties creates a harmonious, effortless landscape for minimal effort.

The Best Hosta Varieties for Ground Cover

Not every hosta is the same. For ground cover, choose fast-growing and spreading cultivars with lush, overlapping leaves. Our most popular varieties include:

Mixing several varieties can create a dynamic tapestry, layering colour and texture through your shaded beds.

Planting and Caring for Hosta Ground Cover

To establish robust hosta ground cover, plant crowns in fertile, well-draining soil during autumn or spring. Water deeply at planting, then regularly through dry periods in their first year. Mulch annually with compost to lock in moisture and add nutrients. While hostas are tolerant, protection from slugs and snails keeps leaves looking their best.

Hostas ask little in return and, once established, require only occasional thinning or dividing. Their dense canopy chokes out most weeds, making hosta ground cover the ideal fuss-free solution for both small garden nooks and expansive landscapes.

Transforming Your Landscape with Hostas

Rethink those tricky shady spots and tired garden stretches. Hosta ground cover brings texture, colour, and structure with very little maintenance. Explore our selection, including favourites like Hosta Blue Angel, Hosta Elegans, Hosta Aphrodite, Hosta Brim Cup, and Hosta Golden Falls, to discover the perfect hosta ground cover for your New Zealand garden.

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.
Celebrate your favourites like Stromanthe Triostar (Stromanthe Plant) and Corokia 'Frosted Chocolate', then branch out with Phormium 'Stripy Mist', Alectryon excelsus, and Lomandra Green Allure.
–The Plant Company

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