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perennial border plants nz

Creating a beautiful, low-maintenance garden often starts with the foundations—and nothing beats perennial border plants in NZ for consistent colour, structure, and year-after-year appeal. Whether your style is cottage garden abundance, modern minimalism, or classic formality, the versatility and resilience of perennials make them an ideal choice for borders throughout New Zealand. With our variable climate and diverse landscapes, it's easy to craft borders that thrive with minimal fuss and maximum impact.

hemerocallis-moon-goddess-

Hemerocallis 'Moon Goddess'

Hemerocallis 'Moon Goddess' is a stunning perennial known for its large fragrant pale yellow flowers that open in the evening, creating a beautiful display in NZ gardens. This reliable daylily adds elegance and softness to borders and garden beds while being easy to grow and highly adaptable.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Perennials
Height: 50 cm
Spread: 50 cm
Flowering time: Summer
Tolerances: Hardy
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Patios, Pool areas
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern
geum-tempo-yellow-

Geum 'Tempo Yellow'

Geum 'Tempo Yellow' is a cheerful perennial that produces bright yellow flowers over a long flowering period, adding vibrant colour to NZ gardens. Its compact growth and tidy form make it ideal for borders, edging, and container planting.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Perennials
Height: 30 cm
Spread: 50 cm
Flowering time: Spring, Summer
Tolerances: Hardy
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Patios, Pool areas
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern
Selliera radicans green plants growing in a rocky location.
Selliera radicans (Remuremu)

Selliera radicans, commonly known as Remuremu, is a NZ native, herbaceous perennial that forms a tight mat of bright green leaves. The glossy and...

From$20.01
Stachys macrantha plants with lush green foliage and elegant, pink flowers.
Stachys macrantha

Stachys macrantha is a lovely herbaceous perennial grown for both its flowers and foliage. This small plant produces masses of pink-purple flowers on...

From$12.95
Arthropodium 'Te Puna' plants with elegant white flowers bordering a path.
Arthropodium 'Te Puna' (Rengarenga Lily)

Arthropodium ‘Te Puna’ is a compact New Zealand native perennial valued for its tidy clumping habit, slender green foliage, and masses of starry...

From$16.50
osteospermum-ice-white-
Osteospermum 'Ice White'

Osteospermum 'Ice White' is a beautiful flowering perennial admired for its crisp white daisy like blooms with contrasting dark centres. This compact...

From$24.77
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
Acanthus mollis perennial with purple-white flowers above lush, green foliage.
Acanthus mollis (Bears Breeches)

Acanthus mollis, known as Bears Breeches or Oyster Plant, is a bold and striking perennial that adds a touch of elegance to NZ gardens. It features...

From$24.95
Viola odorata plants with lush green foliage and purple flowers.
Viola odorata (Sweet Violet)

Viola odorata, commonly called Sweet Violet, is a charming perennial known for its fragrant blooms and lush green foliage. Native to Europe but...

From$23.39
Helleborus orientalis with colourful pink flowers.
Helleborus orientalis (Lenten Rose)

Helleborus orientalis, commonly known as Lenten Rose, is a hardy perennial prized for its elegant winter and early spring blooms. Flowers appear in...

From$22.95
saxifraga-starblush-
Saxifraga 'Starblush'

Saxifraga 'Starblush' is a delightful alpine perennial that produces masses of soft pink flowers above compact mounds of evergreen foliage. Its...

From$23.39
Dietes iridioides (African Iris) flowers amidst dark green foliage.
Dietes iridioides (African Iris)

Dietes iridioides, commonly known as the African Iris or Fortnight Lily, is a hardy, evergreen perennial native to southern Africa. It features...

From$17.87
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
scutellaria-snowflakes--1
Scutellaria Snowflakes (Scutellaria Skullcap)

Scutellaria Snowflakes, commonly known as Scutellaria Skullcap or the Skullcaps plant, is grown for its foliage and flowers. This versatile and...

From$12.95
dianthus-memories-
Dianthus Memories

Dianthus Memories is a scented variety of Carnation that features masses of double, white, highly fragrant flowers. These stunning flowers are...

From$16.49
Cissus rhombifolia trailling over the sides of a planter with lush foliage.
Cissus rhombifolia (Grape Ivy)

Cissus rhombifolia, commonly known as the Grape Ivy plant, is an evergreen perennial grown for its colourful and trailing foliage. Hanging stems host...

From$31.67
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
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
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
A Spearmint plant with lush, green leaves.
Mint Plant

Mint Plant (Spearmint) is a popular herb grown for its fresh fragrant leaves and versatile use in cooking drinks and home remedies. Well suited to...

From$16.49
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$14.95
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
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
A strong and studry planting spade.
Ace1 Planting Spade

The Ace 1 planting spade is a must for any gardener. This spade is designed so it can penetrate the ground easily without jarring the wrists in the...

From$225.86
A large Monstera deliciosa (Swiss Cheese Plant) in a garden with lush, green leaves.
Monstera deliciosa (Swiss Cheese Plant)

Monstera deliciosa, also known as the Swiss Cheese or Fruit Salad Plant, is a popular indoor tropical plant loved for its striking, holey leaves and...

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
pb-three-quarter-planter-bags-
PB¾ Planter Bags (Planting Bags)

The PB ¾ Planter Bags are 80 microns thick and ags hold 0.5 litres of potting mix. They are durable and won’t rip which makes them great for...

From$15.47
pb-2-planter-bags-
PB2 Planter Bags (Plastic Plant Bags)

These PB2 planter bags are 80 microns thick and hold 1.2 litres of potting mix. They are durable and won’t rip which makes them great for handling...

From$20.54
half-litre-plant-pots-
0.51 Litre Thermoformed Plant Pots

These lightweight pots are a cost-effective means for growing on plants. They feature a strong and broad rim, have been UV stabilised for NZ...

From$23.04
15-litre-plant-pots-
1.5 Litre Thermoformed Plant Pots

These lightweight pots are a cost effective means for growing on plants. They feature a strong and broad rim, have been UV stabilised for NZ...

From$27.36
10-litre-plant-pots-
10 Litre Thermoformed Plant Pots

These lightweight pots are a cost effective means for growing on plants. They feature a strong and broad rim, have been UV stabilised for NZ...

From$5.76
Hemerocallis 'Moon Goddess'

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Acanthus, Arthropodium, and Geum, or related Categories - Flaxes, Groundcover Plants, and Perennials.

Search perennial border plants nz

Why Choose Perennial Border Plants in NZ?

Perennial border plants are the ultimate backbone of New Zealand gardens. These hardy, reliable plants return each season with fresh growth, stunning blooms, and lush foliage—so you can enjoy a thriving garden without having to replant each year. They're also superb at attracting pollinators, providing seasonal interest from spring through autumn, and offering year-round structure that looks great even in the winter months.

Top Perennial Border Plants for NZ Gardens

When planning your border, it's important to select perennials that suit both your local climate and your aesthetic. NZ gardeners have a fantastic range of reliable, show-stopping perennials to choose from.

Sedum 'Midnight Coral'
For those who love rich, dark foliage and late-season colour, Sedum 'Midnight Coral' is a superb choice. This easy-care perennial offers burgundy tones and succulent leaves, capped with coral-pink flower heads that invite bees and butterflies into your garden.

Kniphofia 'Dwarf Scarlet' (Hot Poker Plant)
Brighten up your borders with Kniphofia 'Dwarf Scarlet' (Hot Poker Plant). Its vibrant red spindle-shaped flowers create a striking vertical accent through summer, and the drought tolerance of this plant suits well-drained NZ soils.

Hedychium greenii
If you're after a touch of the tropics, add Hedychium greenii to your borders. With lush green foliage and exotic orange flowers, this perennial is a bold choice for warmer regions or sheltered microclimates.

Acanthus mollis (Bears Breeches)
A stalwart of shaded and semi-shaded gardens, Acanthus mollis (Bears Breeches) brings dramatic, architectural flair with its bold, glossy leaves and striking flower spikes.

Viola odorata (Sweet Violet)
For a more traditional, cottage garden effect, tuck in some Viola odorata (Sweet Violet) near the front of your perennial border. These charming, fragrant violets are perfect for softening edges and are one of the first to bloom as winter recedes.

Creating and Maintaining a Perennial Border in NZ

Success with perennial border plants in NZ starts with preparing the soil—work in organic matter or compost for healthy root growth, space your plants according to their mature size, and mulch to conserve moisture. Group perennials with similar water and sun needs for easiest care. As the seasons pass, simply deadhead spent blooms and cut back foliage at the end of winter. Your perennial border will reward you with stunning displays, year after year.

Find your new favourite perennial border plants in NZ and transform your garden into a living tapestry of colour, texture, and form—season after season.


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.

Avocado 'Hass' and Zephyranthes candida may be the stars of the show, but unsung heroes like Euphorbia glauca (Shore Spurge), Iris 'Snow Queen' (Siberian Iris), and Coprosma robusta (Karamu) deserve a moment in the sun.
–The Plant Company

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