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native nz plants for gardens

Looking for ways to bring the unique beauty and ecological benefits of native NZ plants for gardens into your own outdoor space? Embracing native New Zealand plants is more than just a timeless landscaping trend—it’s a sustainable and rewarding way to create a thriving garden that's perfectly adapted to our local conditions. Native NZ plants offer stunning foliage, fascinating textures, and vibrant flowers, as well as crucial food and shelter for our native wildlife. Whether you’re designing a lush cottage garden, a contemporary landscape, or a low-maintenance backyard, indigenous flora can fit every style while remaining tough and easy-care.

Coprosma kirkii 'Variegata' plants in pots.

Coprosma kirkii 'variegata'

5 from 1 customers

Coprosma kirkii 'Variegata' is a hardy NZ native groundcover shrub admired for its trailing habit and attractive variegated foliage of green edged with cream. This evergreen plant provides year round colour and texture while suppressing weeds and covering bare ground.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Groundcover Plants
Height: 60 cm
Spread: 1.50 m
Flowering time: Spring
Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy, Wind
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Ground covering, Living areas, Parks, Paths & Steps, Ponds, Pool areas, Specimen
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern, Native, Rock
Leptospermum Nanum Ruru shrub with dark pink flowers.

Leptospermum 'Nanum Ruru'

Leptospermum 'Nanum Ruru' is a compact NZ native shrub valued for its dense evergreen foliage, tidy rounded form, and masses of small flowers that appear through spring and summer. This hardy manuka variety is perfect for adding texture, colour, and native character to gardens while remaining low maintenance and easy to grow.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Shrubs
Height: 1.20 m
Spread: 75 cm
Flowering time: Spring, Summer
Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy, Wind
Garden uses: Containers, Hedging, Living areas, Pool areas
Garden styles: Alpine, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Formal, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern, Native, Rock
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 Sophora chathamica tree growing in a garden with green foliage.
Sophora chathamica

Sophora chathamica (Coastal Kōwhai) is a stunning New Zealand native tree known for its masses of bright yellow flowers that appear in early spring...

From$323.65
A Kunzea robusta shrub with masses of pretty, white flowers.
Kunzea robusta

Kunzea robusta (White Tea Tree) is a fast growing NZ native tree known for its fine foliage and masses of small white flowers that attract bees and...

From$8.97
Libertia grandiflora plant with elegant white flowers and lush, dark green foliage.
Libertia grandiflora (NZ Iris)

Libertia grandiflora, commonly known as NZ Iris, is a hardy New Zealand native perennial admired for its elegant white flowers and sword like green...

From$16.50
Sophora fulvida tree with masses of yellow flowers.
Sophora fulvida

Sophora fulvida (Southern Kōwhai) is a beautiful New Zealand native tree admired for its golden yellow flowers and fine green foliage. Flowering in...

From$169.24
Leptospermum scoparium (Manuka) shrubs in a native reserve.
Leptospermum scoparium (Manuka)

Leptospermum scoparium, commonly known as Manuka or New Zealand Tea Tree, is a hardy native shrub prized for its aromatic foliage and masses of white...

From$13.73
Vitex lucens (Puriri) lush, green foliage.
Vitex lucens

Vitex lucens, commonly known as Puriri, is a striking New Zealand native tree prized for its lush foliage, vibrant pink to red tubular flowers, and...

From$270.40
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
Phyllocladus trichomanoides lush green foliage.
Phyllocladus trichomanoides (Celery Pine)

Phyllocladus trichomanoides, commonly called Celery Pine, is a striking New Zealand native tree valued for its unique, celery like foliage and tall...

From$515.35
Libocedrus plumosa (Kawaka) tree with green-yellow foliage.
Libocedrus plumosa (Kawaka)

Libocedrus plumosa, commonly known as Kawaka, is a majestic NZ native conifer valued for its graceful, feathery foliage and elegant pyramidal form...

From$323.65
carpodetus-serratus-4
Carpodetus serratus

Carpodetus serratus, commonly known as the Putaputaweta Tree or Marble Leaf, is an attractive, NZ native tree with spreading branches that host...

From$298.09
Dianella nigra plant with masses of blue berries.
Dianella nigra (New Zealand Blueberry)

Dianella nigra, commonly known as the New Zealand Blueberry or Tūrutu, is a NZ native that features lush foliage and glossy berries that vary in...

From$16.49
Nestegis montana narrow green leaves on a tree.
Nestegis montana (Narrow-Leaved Maire)

Nestegis montana is a hardy and attractive native tree of New Zealand, known for its upright growth habit and glossy green foliage. This evergreen...

From$270.40
coprosma-acerosa-hawera-5
Coprosma 'Hawera' (Sand Coprosma)

Coprosma 'Hawera' (Sand Coprosma) is a hardy New Zealand native shrub valued for its fine foliage and excellent tolerance to coastal conditions. The...

From$11.95
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
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
Knightia excelsa (Rewarewa) specimen tree in a park.
Knightia excelsa

Knightia excelsa, commonly known as Rewarewa, is an impressive NZ native tree featuring showy flowers and lush foliage. Unusual yet attractive, dark...

From$270.40
Sophora longicarinata yellow flowers.
Sophora longicarinata (Limestone Kowhai)

Sophora longicarinata is a rare and beautiful NZ native tree belonging to the kowhai family. This evergreen to semi deciduous species is admired for...

From$323.65
Prumnopitys taxifolia (Matai) juvenile tree growing as a specimen in a park.
Prumnopitys taxifolia (Matai)

Prumnopitys taxifolia, commonly known as Matai or Black Pine, is a stately, NZ native tree with quite different juvenile and adult forms. The...

From$309.51
clianthus-kaka-king-
Clianthus Kaka King (Kaka King Clianthus)

Clianthus Kaka King, commonly known as The Red Kaka Beak, is a NZ native shrub that produces a flush of stunning, beak like flowers in summer. The...

From$116.12
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
Metrosideros excelsa (Pohutukawa) specimen tree with masses of red flowers in a coastal location.
Metrosideros excelsa (Pōhutukawa)

Metrosideros excelsa, commonly known as Pōhutukawa or the New Zealand Christmas Tree, is a coastal evergreen renowned for its brilliant red flowers...

From$30.29
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
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
apricot-garden-annie-
Apricot 'Garden Annie'

Apricot 'Garden Annie' is a compact apricot tree prized for its sweet juicy fruit and attractive spring blossom display. This deciduous fruit tree is...

From$404.59
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
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
azalea-garden-party-
Azalea 'Garden Party'

Azalea 'Garden Party' is a charming evergreen azalea that produces masses of soft pink flowers during spring. The delicate blooms sit above glossy...

From$15.95
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
Coprosma kirkii 'variegata'

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Acaena, Coprosma, and Kunzea, or related Categories - Flaxes, Groundcover Plants, and Shrubs.

Search native nz plants for gardens

Why Choose Native NZ Plants for Gardens?

Native NZ plants have evolved over centuries to withstand our diverse climates, soils, and weather. By choosing natives, you’ll save time and resources on watering, fertilising, and pest control because these plants are naturally hardy and resilient. Planting natives also helps protect our unique ecosystem, provides habitat for birds like tui and fantails, and supports pollinators crucial to the health of your garden.

Top Native NZ Plants for Gardens

If you’re ready to explore native NZ plants for gardens, here are a few groundcover highlights that suit both small and large spaces:

Planting and Caring for Native Gardens

To get the best from your native NZ plants for gardens, start by preparing your soil—native species generally prefer free-draining soils and benefit from mulching to retain moisture. Grouping plants with similar sunlight and water needs will help them flourish. Once established, most native plants require minimal maintenance, thriving with little fertiliser and rarely falling prey to pests.

Create a Thriving Native Garden

Incorporating native NZ plants for gardens is a rewarding way to connect with our natural heritage, create a resilient landscape, and reduce your garden workload. Explore our curated selection above or browse our full range for even more inspiration. Native plants ensure your garden is beautiful, sustainable, and distinctly New Zealand.


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.

Ficus benjamina 'Starlight' and Corokia 'Bronze King' have stood the test of time, but new generations of gardeners are discovering Buddleia 'Royal Red', Orange 'Valencia', and Michelia 'Velvet and Cream'.
–The Plant Company

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