Name: The Plant Company
Address: 284 Meeanee Road, Meeanee, Napier, 4112, New Zealand
Telephone: 0800 843 752
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new zealand ground cover plants

Looking to transform your outdoor spaces with lush, low-maintenance foliage? New Zealand ground cover plants offer the perfect solution for gardeners seeking attractive, resilient, and native options to blanket garden beds, borders, slopes, or pathways. These plants thrive in a variety of local conditions, providing year-round greenery, suppressing weeds, and enriching your landscape with unique textures and subtle beauty. Whether you want to create a living carpet beneath trees, combat erosion on a bank, or add interest to a shady corner, discover the best ground cover plants New Zealand has to offer right here.

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 green leaves. This evergreen plant spreads across the ground, suppressing weeds and providing year round greenery.

Buy Coprosma kirkii

From $17.95

Suited to regions: All regions

Plant type: Groundcover Plants

Height: 80 cm

Spread: 2.00 m

Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy, Shade, Wind

Garden uses: Borders, Ground covering, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Patios, Ponds, Pool areas

Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Modern, Native, Riparian

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 with cream. This evergreen plant provides year round colour and texture while suppressing weeds and covering bare ground.

Buy Coprosma kirkii 'variegata'

From $17.95

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

Why Choose New Zealand Ground Cover Plants?

Native ground cover plants are adapted to our climate, making them reliable performers in both urban gardens and rural properties. Their ability to cover the soil helps conserve moisture, reduce weed growth, and support biodiversity. Many varieties are ideal for areas where lawn grass struggles, or where you need a fast-spreading solution for bare spots. Best of all, New Zealand native ground cover plants offer unique aesthetic appeal, from shiny green foliage to dainty flowers.

Popular New Zealand Ground Cover Plants

Muehlenbeckia axillaris (Creeping Wire Vine)

If you're searching for a hardy, versatile ground cover, Muehlenbeckia axillaris (Creeping Wire Vine) is a top choice. This native plant forms a dense mat of small, rounded, dark green leaves and wiry stems, making it perfect for rock gardens, retaining walls, and difficult-to-plant areas. It tolerates a range of conditions from sun to partial shade and is well-known for its resilience.

Coprosma kirkii

For a sprawling, evergreen ground cover, Coprosma kirkii offers glossy foliage with subtle bronze tones. This native is ideal for coastal gardens, riverbanks, or filling gaps beneath shrubs. Its tough nature and attractive leaves make it a favourite choice for those wanting both function and form.

Coprosma kirkii 'Variegata'

Add a splash of colour and contrast with Coprosma kirkii 'variegata'. This variety features cream-edged leaves and the same spreading habit as its parent, offering visual interest and reliable coverage for gardens needing a low-growing plant that stands out.

Pimelea prostrata 'Blue Peter'

If you love subtle blue-green foliage and delicate white flowers, Pimelea prostrata 'Blue Peter' fits the bill. This native ground cover forms tidy, compact mats, making it ideal for sunny sites, coastal gardens, or landscaping projects where you want to attract pollinators and highlight native flora.

Pratia angulata

For a soft, creeping option, Pratia angulata is well-suited to moist, shadier spots. Its small, star-shaped white flowers appear through spring and summer, creating attractive carpets under trees or alongside garden paths. This plant is highly valued for its ability to fill difficult spaces naturally.

Planting and Care Tips

Most New Zealand ground cover plants appreciate well-drained soils and regular watering, especially when establishing. Many natives are tolerant of dry spells once mature, making them a sustainable option for eco-friendly gardens. Remember to clear weeds before planting and space your ground covers to allow for spreading, ensuring rapid coverage and healthy growth.

Choose the Best New Zealand Ground Cover for Your Garden

Our selection of New Zealand ground cover plants provides a reliable, attractive solution for challenging garden spaces. Whether you’re seeking foliage texture, flower colour, or practical lawn alternatives, the right ground covers will elevate your landscape and support the local environment. Explore our range of native ground covers to find your perfect planting companion.

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.

new zealand ground cover plants

Coprosma kirkii

Coprosma kirkii 'variegata'

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Why Choose New Zealand Ground Cover Plants?

Popular New Zealand Ground Cover Plants