Call us: 0800 843 752Free shipping for orders $150 or over
Gift Vouchers

low ground cover plants full sun

When searching for the best low ground cover plants for full sun, it's essential to find varieties that thrive under New Zealand's strong sunlight and manage to stay neat and compact. Whether you’re transforming a sloping bank, edging a sunny pathway, or looking to reduce weeds in your garden beds, low sun-loving ground covers are a hardworking, beautiful solution. They add a lush carpet of colour, prevent soil erosion, conserve moisture, and require surprisingly little care once established.

Rose 'Flower Carpet Scarlet' plants with red flowers above lush, green foliage.

Rose 'Flower Carpet Scarlet'

5 from 1 customers

Rose 'Flower Carpet Scarlet' is a low growing ground cover rose that produces a bold display of scarlet red flowers over a long season. Its spreading habit, dense foliage, and reliable performance make it a superb choice for NZ gardens needing strong colour with very little maintenance.

From $33.81

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Rose Plants
Height: 60 cm
Spread: 1.00 m
Flowering time: Spring, Summer, Autumn
Tolerances: Hardy
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Paths & Steps
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern
rose-flower-carpet-gold--1

Rose Flower Carpet Gold

5 from 2 customers

Rose 'Flower Carpet Gold' is a low growing ground cover rose that delivers a bright display of golden yellow blooms across a long flowering season. Its spreading habit, dense foliage, and dependable garden performance make it a superb option for NZ gardens seeking colour with minimal maintenance.

From $34.43

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Rose Plants
Height: 50 cm
Spread: 1.00 m
Flowering time: Spring, Summer, Autumn
Tolerances: Hardy
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern
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
Rose 'Flower Carpet Pink' stunning pink flowers.
Rose Flower Carpet Pink

Rose 'Flower Carpet Pink' is a low growing ground cover rose loved for its masses of clear pink flowers, spreading habit, and dependable garden...

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
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
A Lithodora 'Grace Ward' plant with blue flowers in a rock garden.
Lithodora 'Grace Ward'

Lithodora 'Grace Ward' is a stunning low growing evergreen perennial admired for its masses of vivid deep blue flowers that appear from spring...

From$20.63
Grevillea lanigera 'Mt Tamboritha' pink flowers amidst dark green foliage.
Grevillea lanigera 'Mt Tamboritha'

Grevillea lanigera 'Mt Tamboritha' is a popular evergreen groundcover shrub admired for its dense, spreading habit and masses of pink and cream...

From$24.95
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
Chamaemelum nobile plants with white flowers and lush, green foliage.
Chamaemelum nobile (Chamomile)

Chamaemelum nobile (Lawn Chamomile, Roman Chamomile) is a low growing evergreen herb valued for its fragrant feathery foliage, delicate daisy like...

From$15.95
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
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
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
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
Trachelospermum jasminoides (Star Jasmine) as a ground cover showing lush foliage and white flowers.
Trachelospermum jasminoides (Star Jasmine)

Star Jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides) is a versatile, evergreen climber renowned for its glossy green leaves and masses of highly fragrant white...

From$11.50
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
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
juniperus-conferta-2
Juniperus conferta

Juniperus conferta, commonly known as Shore Juniper, is a hardy evergreen conifer valued for its dense, spreading habit and fresh green foliage. It...

From$192.51
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
Rose 'Flower Carpet White' plants for sale at The Plant Company nursery.
Rose 'Flower Carpet White'

Rose 'Flower Carpet White' is a popular ground cover rose valued for its masses of pure white flowers and exceptional disease resistance. This tough...

From$26.91
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
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$20.01
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
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
Grevillea 'Aussie Crawl' plant with pink flowers and colourful foliage.
Grevillea Aussie Crawl

Grevillea 'Aussie Crawl' is a hardy evergreen groundcover valued for its dense spreading habit, attractive finely divided foliage, and masses of...

From$24.95
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
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
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
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
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$16.95
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
Rose 'Flower Carpet Scarlet'

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Chamaemelum, Coprosma, and Gardenia, or related Categories - Groundcover Plants, Perennials, and Carpet Roses.

Search low ground cover plants full sun

Why Choose Low Ground Cover Plants for Full Sun Areas?

Exposed sun-drenched spots can be harsh, but incorporating low ground cover plants for full sun creates a vibrant living mulch that protects the soil and adds year-round texture. These resilient groundcovers stand up to dry conditions, suppress weeds, and create an appealing, unified look. If you’re after a low-maintenance solution for those tricky hot zones, low sun ground covers are a practical and attractive choice.

Top Picks for Sunny, Low-Growing Ground Covers

Selliera 'Sundrops'

One of the most versatile ground cover plants for full sun, Selliera 'Sundrops', forms a glossy, evergreen carpet with masses of cheerful yellow blooms. This tough New Zealand native copes well with coastal exposure, heat, and even damp soils. It hugs the ground, making it ideal for pathways and open garden beds.

Ajuga 'Chocolate Chip'

For a touch of richness, Ajuga 'Chocolate Chip' brings lush, narrow maroon leaves and deep blue flower spikes. It's compact and bold, thriving in sunny areas and perfect for filling gaps around larger shrubs or under trees with dappled light. Once established, Ajuga is both drought-tolerant and low maintenance.

Convolvulus Two Moons

If you love silvery tones, Convolvulus Two Moons offers soft, trailing foliage topped with pale blue flowers throughout summer. Its mat-forming habit means it’s an excellent weed suppressor, ideal for sunny slopes or poor soils where little else will thrive.

Pratia angulata

A favourite for lawn alternatives and between stepping stones, Pratia angulata is a native star. It features small, dense green leaves and a shower of delicate white flowers through the warmer months. Happy in full sun, Pratia fills out quickly, creating a soft yet resilient groundcover.

Juniperus procumbens Nana (Japanese Dwarf Juniper)

For all-year structure, Juniperus procumbens Nana (Japanese Dwarf Juniper) brings fine-textured blue-green foliage that's evergreen and hardy. This coniferous groundcover forms low, spreading mounds perfect for rockeries or sunny, low-maintenance sections of the garden.

Tips for Planting and Care

To get the best from your low ground cover plants for full sun, prepare soil by adding compost for optimum drainage, and water regularly when establishing. Space plants according to their mature spread for a seamless look and mulch around them to help retain moisture as they fill out.

Shop Low Ground Cover Plants for Full Sun in New Zealand

Transform sunny, bare patches into rich, living carpets with our range of low ground cover plants for full sun. Explore favourites like Selliera 'Sundrops', Ajuga 'Chocolate Chip', Convolvulus Two Moons, Pratia angulata, and Juniperus procumbens Nana (Japanese Dwarf Juniper)—and see your sunny spaces flourish 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.

Illustration of plant leaves.
While Griselinia 'Canterbury' and Austrocylindropuntia vestita (Furry Cactus) are household names, Vitex lucens, Azalea 'Red Wings', and Liquidambar styraciflua 'Lane Roberts' are rising stars in the plant world.
–The Plant Company

Explore Garden Inspiration

Sign up to receive a free $10 Voucher You won’t be bombarded with emails, just titbits of quality information from time to time Sign up
Free shipping on orders over $150!

Join our community of happy customers.

4.8

466 Google reviews