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nz grasses native

NZ grasses native to Aotearoa bring a unique blend of beauty, resilience, and biodiversity to any garden or landscape. If you're searching for practical and attractive ways to enhance your property with hardy, low-maintenance plants, look no further than the impressive range of native New Zealand grasses. These iconic grasses not only add texture and movement but also help promote local wildlife and ecosystem health.

Carex flagellifera Green plant with lush and colourful foliage.

Carex flagellifera Green

Carex flagellifera Green is a NZ native, ornamental grass grown for its attractive foliage. It produces slender and lush, green leaves as it grows to 50 cm tall and the same width. Carex flagellifera Green is often planted around the base of larger trees, included in border plantings, mass planted either as a groundcover or on a bank, or used in coastal gardens. It also looks great in planters, particularly when the foliage can cascade to the ground.

From $15.53

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Grasses
Height: 50 cm
Spread: 50 cm
Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy, Wet, Wind
Garden uses: Banks, Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Patios, Ponds, Pool areas
Garden styles: Alpine, Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Native, Riparian
Carex flagellifera Red plants.

Carex flagellifera Red

Carex flagellifera Red is a NZ native, ornamental grass grown for its colourful and attractive foliage. It produces slender and lush, copper-red leaves as it grows to 50 cm tall and the same width. Carex flagellifera Red is often planted around the base of larger trees, included in border plantings, mass planted either as a groundcover or on a bank, or included in coastal gardens. It also looks great in planters, particularly when the foliage can cascade to the ground.

From $13.43

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Grasses
Height: 50 cm
Spread: 50 cm
Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy, Wet, Wind
Garden uses: Banks, Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Patios, Ponds, Pool areas
Garden styles: Alpine, Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Mediterranean, Modern, Native
Poa cita grass plants on a plateau overlooing the sea.

Poa cita

Poa cita, commonly known as Silver Tussock, is a clump-forming NZ native grass with delicate, green foliage that wafts gracefully in the breeze. It...

From$14.18
Anemanthele lessoniana grass with colourful, orange and green foliage growing in a pot.

Anemanthele lessoniana (Pheasant's Tail Grass)

Anemanthele lessoniana, also known as Pheasant's Tail Grass or New Zealand Wind Grass, is a graceful, clump-forming ornamental grass native to New...

From$16.88
Apodasmia similis growing in a rock garden.

Apodasmia similis (Oi Oi)

Apodasmia similis, commonly known as Oioi or Jointed Wire Rush, is a hardy native grass-like plant found throughout New Zealand. It is ideal for...

From$13.43
Carex comans green plants with dense, green foliage in a garden.

Carex comans Green

Carex comans Green is a NZ native, ornamental grass featuring slender and arching, lime green foliage. It grows as a tidy clump to about 40 cm tall...

From$13.43
Chionochloa flavicans (Miniature ToeToe) plants with cascading cream-coloured flowers.

Chionochloa flavicans (Miniature Toetoe)

Chionochloa flavicans, commonly known as Miniature ToeToe or Dwarf Toe Toe, is a highly popular NZ native grass. It has flowing, green foliage and...

From$16.26
Orange foliage on Carex testacea.

Carex testacea

Carex testacea, commonly known as Orange Sedge, is a striking New Zealand native grass admired for its fine, arching foliage that turns a brilliant...

From$13.43
Ficinia nodosa (Knobby Club Rush) plants growing in sand and displaying lush, green foliage.

Ficinia nodosa (Knobby Club Rush)

Ficinia nodosa, commonly known as Knobby Club Rush, is a NZ native grass that features stout, mid-green foliage. In cold or exposed climates, the...

From$13.43
Chionochloa rigida plant growing beside a path.

Chionochloa rigida (Snow Tussock)

Chionochloa rigida, commonly known as narrow-leaved snow tussock, is a hardy New Zealand native grass prized for its delicate, upright foliage and...

From$15.53
Cyperus ustulatus growing in water.

Cyperus ustulatus (Giant Umbrella Sedge)

Cyperus ustulatus, commonly known as the Giant Umbrella Sedge, is a large and robust NZ native grass. It grows as a clump and produces dark green...

From$17.48
Baumea articulata (Jointed Twig Rush) with upright, green foliage, growing in water.

Baumea articulata

Baumea articulata, commonly known as the Jointed Twig Rush, is an attractive, NZ native grass grown for its aesthetics and ability to handle and...

From$18.83
Typha orientalis (Raupo) plants with brown seed heads.

Typha orientalis (Raupō)

Typha orientalis, commonly known as Raupo, is a vigorous and erect, NZ native grass. It is found throughout New Zealand in shallow, fertile waters...

From$14.51
cortaderia-fulvida-2

Cortaderia fulvida (Austroderia fulvida)

Cortaderia fulvida, commonly known as Toetoe, is a large and vigorous NZ native grass. It bears long and narrow, mid-green leaves which are held with...

From$16.13
Carex buchananii with lush brown foliage growing as a specimen plant in a rock garden.

Carex buchananii (Buchanans Sedge)

Carex buchananii, commonly known as Leatherleaf Sedge, is a striking New Zealand native grass-like plant with delicate, upright, copper-bronze...

From$13.43
festuca-banks-peninsula-blue-1

Festuca 'Banks Peninsula Blue' (Blue Fescue Grass)

Festuca 'Banks Peninsula Blue' is a striking ornamental grass valued for its fine, steel blue foliage that forms neat, compact clumps. This hardy...

From$14.18
Libertia paniculata plant with white flowers.

Libertia paniculata (Grass Flag)

Libertia paniculata is an elegant evergreen perennial admired for its fine, upright foliage and delicate white flowers that appear in airy clusters...

From$15.86
Carex comans Bronze plant in a garden with dense bronze foliage.

Carex comans Bronze

Carex comans Bronze features slender, hair-like, bronze-brown foliage. It typically grows to 40 cm tall and the same width. Carex comans Bronze is...

From$10.13
Carex secta plants growing as a border garden in a commercial car park.

Carex secta (Swamp Sedge)

Carex secta, commonly known as Pukio, is a striking New Zealand native sedge admired for its large, tussock forming habit and golden green foliage...

From$15.53
Carex 'Frosted Curls' plants with elegant green foliage growing in a pot with other plants.

Carex Frosted Curls

Carex Frosted Curls is an ornamental grass with slender, hair-like, iridescent foliage that shimmers in light breezes. It typically grows to 30 cm...

From$13.43
Carex dipsacea plants as a mass planting in a garden.

Carex dipsacea (Teasel Sedge)

Carex dipsacea is a fine-leaved, clump-forming sedge native to New Zealand. It features slender, green to bronze-tinted foliage and grows to...

From$15.53
A large Calamagrostis 'Overdam' grass with elegant, variegated foliage.

Calamagrostis 'Overdam'

Calamagrostis ‘Overdam’ is a striking variegated ornamental grass that delivers elegant upright form and delicate texture to garden borders and...

From$22.88
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$20.18
Lomandra Tankia with lush green foliage bordering a path.

Lomandra 'Tanika'

Lomandra Tanika is a hardy, Australian Native grass that is commonly known as Mat Rush. This grass features fine, deep-green foliage and a graceful...

From$24.23
Calamagrostis 'Karl Foerster' grasses as a mass planting and featuring elegant, cream-coloured flower heads as plumes.

Calamagrostis 'Karl Foerster'

Calamagrostis 'Karl Foerster' is a popular ornamental grass known for its upright, clump-forming habit and tall, feathery flower plumes. It grows to...

From$22.88
Hakonechloa albostriata plant with variegated foliage.

Hakonechloa macra 'Albostriata'

Hakonechloa macra 'Albostriata', commonly known as Japanese Forest Grass, is a stunning ornamental grass. It features variegated green foliage with...

From$22.88
Carex virgata grass plants in pots at The Plant Company nursery.

Carex virgata

Carex virgata, commonly known as Swamp Sedge, is a hardy New Zealand native sedge that thrives in wetlands, damp soils, and along waterways. It forms...

From$15.53
Sisyrinchium californicum plants with yellow flowers and fine, green foliage.

Sisyrinchium californicum

Sisyrinchium californicum, commonly known as the Golden Eyed Grass, is an herbaceous perennial grown for both its foliage and flowers. It bears...

From$17.48
Zebra grass (Miscanthus 'Zebrinus') leaves with cream and green stripes.

Miscanthus 'Zebrinus'

Miscanthus 'Zebrinus' (Zebra Grass) is a striking ornamental grass recognised for its bold horizontal yellow banding across arching green leaves...

From$21.53
Lomandra 'Echidna' grass growing as a mass planting beside a path.

Lomandra Echidna

The Lomandra Echidna grass is a tough and reliable plant with outstanding aesthetics. It features lush, mid-green foliage held upright with a gentle...

From$16.13
An elegant Miscanthus sinensis grass with cream-coloured flower plumes and lush green foliage.

Miscanthus sinensis

Miscanthus sinensis is an ornamental grass that grows as a clump of narrow, arching, green leaves. The colouring gives a light silver-green effect to...

From$21.53
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$20.18
Carex flagellifera Green

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Anemanthele, Apodasmia, Baumea, Calamagrostis, Carex, Chionochloa, Coprosma, Cortaderia, Cyperus, Festuca, Ficinia, Hakonechloa, Libertia, Lomandra, Miscanthus, Poa Sisyrinchium and Typha, or related Categories - Grasses Groundcover Plants and Perennials.

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Why Choose NZ Grasses Native for Your Garden

Incorporating NZ grasses native to your region offers several distinct advantages. Native grasses are well adapted to New Zealand’s diverse climates, from coastal gardens to alpine regions. Their hardiness ensures they thrive with minimal water and fertiliser, making them ideal for both sustainable landscapes and low-maintenance gardening. These grasses offer year-round appeal, with flowing forms that catch the light and create striking silhouettes through the seasons.

Popular NZ Native Grasses

When designing with NZ grasses native, a few stand-out varieties are especially popular for both residential and commercial settings:

Landscaping Uses for NZ Grasses Native

NZ grasses native can be used in a multitude of garden styles, from structured modern landscapes to relaxed, naturalistic plantings. Try mass planting along driveways or pathways for a bold, textural effect, or mix them with native shrubs and flowering perennials for a wild, layered look. Many of these grasses are fantastic for stabilising slopes, controlling erosion, and creating habitats for birds and insects, making them as functional as they are attractive.

Care and Maintenance

Native New Zealand grasses are generally low-fuss and require very little ongoing maintenance once established. Many thrive in poor soils and are naturally resistant to most pests and diseases. For best results, plant in well-drained soil and water regularly until plants are well established. Don’t forget to mulch around the base to suppress weeds and conserve moisture, especially in drier climates.

Bringing the beauty of NZ grasses native into your garden is a wonderful way to honour local biodiversity while enjoying landscapes that are both stunning and sustainable. Explore our full range, including Carex solandri, Carex flagellifera Green, Carex flagellifera Red, Poa cita, and Apodasmia similis (Oi Oi) to find the perfect fit for your space.

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.
Azara microphylla and Corokia 'Mangatangi' are tried and true, but new favourites like Camellia 'Black Lace', Kniphofia 'Lemon Fizz', and Acanthus mollis (Bears Breeches) are just waiting to be discovered.
–The Plant Company

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