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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.

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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.

From $20.63

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

Francoa 'Starry Eyes'

Francoa 'Starry Eyes' is an elegant perennial that produces graceful spikes of delicate flowers from late spring through summer. Its lush green foliage forms attractive clumps that provide year round interest, while the blooms add height and softness to borders and cottage gardens.

From $17.95

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate
Plant type: Perennials
Height: 50 cm
Spread: 50 cm
Flowering time: Summer
Garden uses: Borders, Living areas, Paths & Steps
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern
Hemerocallis 'Scarlet Orbit' red flowers with a yellow centre.
Hemerocallis 'Scarlet Orbit'

Hemerocallis 'Scarlet Orbit' is a striking daylily variety that produces masses of rich scarlet red flowers with golden yellow throats. Perfect for...

From$20.63
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Francoa 'Flower Girl'

Francoa 'Flower Girl' is a graceful perennial that produces elegant spikes of delicate flowers from late spring through summer. Its attractive clumps...

From$17.95
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
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Salvia 'Red'

Salvia 'Red' (Red Sage) is a vibrant perennial that produces brilliant red flower spikes above aromatic green foliage from late spring until autumn...

From$27.53
A beautiful Sedum 'Autumn Joy' plant in a garden with pink flowers and lush, green foliage.
Sedum 'Autumn Joy'

Sedum 'Autumn Joy', commonly known as Stonecrop, is grown for its stunning flowers and attractive foliage. This herbaceous perennial produces flowers...

From$23.39
polemonium-stairway-to-heaven--2
Polemonium 'Stairway to Heaven'

Polemonium 'Stairway to Heaven' is a stunning perennial admired for its finely divided variegated foliage and clusters of soft lavender blue bell...

From$30.29
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Penstemon 'Snowstorm'

Penstemon 'Snowstorm' is a beautiful flowering perennial admired for its masses of pure white tubular blooms that appear from late spring through...

From$24.77
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Heuchera 'Northern Exposure Silver'

Heuchera 'Northern Exposure Silver' is a stunning perennial prized for its large silver foliage accented with dark veining and its exceptional garden...

From$22.01
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
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
Heuchera 'Apple Crisp' plants with lush green foliage.
Heuchera 'Apple Crisp'

Heuchera 'Apple Crisp' is a compact evergreen perennial admired for its bright lime green ruffled foliage that adds year round colour and texture to...

From$22.01
Nepeta 'Blue Wonder' plant with blue flowers.
Nepeta 'Blue Wonder' (Catmint)

Nepeta 'Walker's Low' is an award winning Catmint admired for its long flowering season and aromatic grey green foliage. From late spring through...

From$17.87
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Agapanthus 'Lapis'

Agapanthus 'Lapis' is a compact and elegant perennial prized for its abundant clusters of rich blue flowers that appear above tidy clumps of lush...

From$13.95
Tulbaghia variegata 'Tricolor 'plant with elegant pink flowers.
Tulbaghia variegata 'Tricolor' (Society Garlic)

Tulbaghia variegata 'Tricolor' is a striking evergreen perennial valued for its narrow green leaves edged with cream and flushed pink. This...

From$11.50
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
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' plant in flower for sale at The Plant Company nursery.
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
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
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$17.95
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
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
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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
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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
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
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5 Litre Plant Pots

5 Litre Plant Pots are a practical choice for growing larger shrubs, perennials, grasses, herbs, and young trees. They provide generous root space to...

From$79.20
native-plant-fertiliser-
Native Plant Fertiliser

Native Plant Fertiliser is specially formulated to support healthy growth in a wide range of NZ native plants. It provides balanced nutrition to...

From$16.95
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
plant-pots-
2.5 Litre Plant Pots

2.5 Litre Plant Pots are a practical option for growing shrubs, perennials, grasses, herbs, and other developing plants. They provide ample root...

From$37.44
Hemerocallis 'Moon Goddess'

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Francoa, Hemerocallis, and Heuchera, or related Categories - 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.

Illustration of plant leaves.
Chlorophytum comosum 'Variegatum' and Ficus 'Black Knight' may be the stars of the show, but unsung heroes like Bougainvillea 'Krishna', Pieris 'Temple Bells', and Leptinella dioica deserve a moment in the sun.
–The Plant Company

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