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red tussock nz

Red tussock NZ refers to the iconic native grass, Chionochloa rubra, found throughout New Zealand's diverse landscapes. Renowned for its striking copper, russet, and tawny tones, red tussock creates rich visual interest in both natural habitats and modern garden designs. This beautiful grass is cherished by gardeners and landscapers alike for its year-round colour, texture, and resilience, making it a must-have for native planting schemes and eco-friendly projects.

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

Carex secta (Swamp Sedge)

5 from 2 customers

Carex secta, commonly known as Pukio, is a striking New Zealand native sedge admired for its large, tussock forming habit and golden green foliage. Naturally found along wetlands, streams, and swampy areas, it provides important habitat for wildlife while adding texture and movement to the landscape.

From $11.50

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Grasses
Height: 1.50 m
Spread: 1.50 m
Tolerances: Hardy, Wet
Garden uses: Ponds
Garden styles: Alpine, Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Native, Riparian
Red Tussock (chionochloa rubra) growing in their natural environment.

Chionochloa rubra

4.8 from 6 customers

Chionochloa rubra, commonly known as Red Tussock, is a striking New Zealand native grass admired for its tall, arching foliage in shades of bronze and red. Naturally found in tussock grasslands, this hardy plant adds colour, texture, and movement to the landscape.

From $18.50

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Grasses
Height: 1.00 m
Spread: 1.00 m
Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy, Wet, Wind
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Ponds, Pool areas
Garden styles: Alpine, Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Mediterranean, Modern, Native, Riparian
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$9.95
A Loropetalum 'Red Temple' plant with dark purple-red foliage and elegant, pink flowers.
Loropetalum 'Red Temple'

Loropetalum 'Red Temple' produces mildly fragrant, pink-red flowers through winter, which are both unusual and appealing. The foliage on this bushy...

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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...

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Leptospermum 'Red Damask'

Leptospermum 'Red Damask' is a striking evergreen shrub admired for its masses of rich red flowers and fine dense foliage. Flowering through spring...

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Leptospermum 'Electric Red' plant with red flowers.
Leptospermum 'Electric Red'

Leptospermum 'Electric Red' is a striking evergreen shrub known for its vivid red flowers that create a bold and eye catching display in spring. The...

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Phormium 'Rainbow Red' red and purple striped foliage.
Phormium 'Rainbow Red'

Phormium 'Rainbow Red' is a vibrant New Zealand native flax admired for its bold, arching leaves in shades of bronze, red, and pink. This striking...

Ribes 'Gloria de Versailles' (red currant) fruit hanging on a shrub.
Ribes 'Gloria de versailles'

Ribes 'Gloria de Versailles' (Red Currant) is a productive fruiting shrub that suits NZ gardens beautifully. It produces generous clusters of bright...

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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$24.15
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...

From$11.50
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Leptospermum 'Red Falls'

Leptospermum 'Red Falls' is a striking evergreen shrub admired for its cascading growth habit and masses of vibrant red flowers through spring and...

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Callistemon 'Red Alert'

Callistemon 'Red Alert' is a compact evergreen shrub admired for its brilliant red bottlebrush flowers that appear from spring into summer. The vivid...

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Pseudowintera 'Red Glow' rose-coloured foliage.
Pseudowintera Red Glow'

Pseudowintera 'Red Glow' is a bright and vibrant NZ native shrub. New foliage emerges rose-pink and ages to become a fresh green colour. The leaf...

From$27.53
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Leucothoe 'Curly Red'

Leucothoe 'Curly Red' is a striking evergreen shrub grown for its uniquely twisted foliage that emerges rich red before maturing to glossy green...

From$26.15
Callistemon citrinus 'Red Cluster' small tree with masses of red, pendulous flowers.
Callistemon 'Red Cluster' (Red Bottlebrush)

Callistemon 'Red Cluster' is a striking bottlebrush variety valued for its clusters of vivid red flower spikes and dense evergreen foliage. Flowering...

From$37.19
Lagerstroemia 'Crimson Red' showy red flowers.
Lagerstroemia 'Crimson Red'

Lagerstroemia ‘Crimson Red’ is a striking crepe myrtle renowned for its deep crimson summer flowers and attractive upright tree form. Flowering...

From$30.29
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Acer 'Red Sunset'

Acer 'Red Sunset' is one of the finest deciduous maples for autumn colour, producing a spectacular display of brilliant scarlet and crimson foliage...

From$399.95
Hydrangea 'Tuxedo Red' plant in a pot with stunning red flowers and lush, purple-green foliage.
Hydrangea 'Tuxedo Red'

Hydrangea 'Tuxedo Red' is a bold and dramatic deciduous shrub admired for its deep red mophead flowers set against dark stems and rich green foliage...

From$27.95
Buddleia 'Royal Red' dark pink flowers and grey-green foliage.
Buddleia 'Royal Red'

Buddleia ‘Royal Red’ is a bold deciduous shrub celebrated for its rich red crimson flower spikes and sweet summer fragrance. Flowering over an...

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Coprosma Red Rocks with colourful foliage in a garden.
Coprosma 'Red Rocks'

Coprosma 'Red Rocks' is a hardy NZ native shrub known for its rich red toned foliage and tough spreading habit. Naturally found in coastal...

From$11.95
Pseudowintera 'Red Leopard' red and green spotted foliage.
Pseudowintera 'Red Leopard'

Pseudowintera 'Red Leopard' is a NZ native shrub that features striking foliage. The leaves are gold-green with dominant, deep red leopard spots. It...

From$136.04
Hypoestes 'Splash Red' plant with colourful red folaige.
Hypoestes 'Splash Red'

Hypoestes 'Splash Red' is a vibrant foliage plant prized for its bright green leaves boldly splashed with deep red markings. This compact and...

From$26.15
Callistemon 'Rocky Rambler' ground cover plant with creeping stems with green foliage and red flowers.
Callistemon 'Rocky Rambler' (Red Bottlebrush)

Callistemon 'Rocky Rambler' is a compact, spreading bottlebrush known for its vibrant red flower spikes and fine evergreen foliage. This variety...

From$27.53
Imperata 'Red Baron' with colourful, red foliage
Imperata Red Baron

Imperata 'Red Baron', commonly known as Japanese Blood Grass, features leaves that are green at the base and become red further up the blade. Through...

From$20.63
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Grevillea 'Red Clusters'

Grevillea 'Red Clusters' is a vibrant evergreen shrub that produces masses of rich red flower clusters throughout the year. Its fine foliage and...

From$28.91
Callistemon 'Matthew Flinders' small shrub with red flowers and green foliage.
Callistemon 'Matthew Flinders' (Red Callistemon)

Callistemon 'Matthew Flinders' is a compact and highly decorative bottlebrush prized for its vivid red flower spikes and neat evergreen foliage...

From$30.29
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Peperomia clusiifolia

Peperomia clusiifolia, commonly known as the Jelly Plant, is a popular and easy to grow indoor plant. It produces short stems carrying thick and...

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Sorbus aucuparia Scarlet King (Rowan Tree NZ)

Sorbus aucuparia Scarlet King is a variety of the commonly known, Mountain Ash, and is a small-sized, deciduous with impressive characteristics...

From$387.55
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Acer rubrum

Acer rubrum (Red Maple) is a magnificent deciduous tree renowned for its outstanding autumn colour and graceful growth habit. The fresh green foliage...

From$349.95
Escallonia 'Red Knight' growing as a border around the base of a tree.
Escallonia 'Red Knight'

Escallonia 'Red Knight' is a vibrant evergreen shrub prized for its masses of rich red flowers and dense glossy foliage. This hardy variety produces...

From$16.95
Salvia 'Riverton Red' plant with elegant red flowers and lush, green leaves.
Salvia 'Riverton Red'

Salvia 'Riverton Red' is a striking perennial prized for its vivid red flower spikes that bloom reliably from spring through autumn. This hardy, sun...

From$27.53
Carex secta (Swamp Sedge)

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Carex, Chionochloa, and Clianthus, or related Categories - Currants, Flaxes, and Grasses.

Search red tussock nz

What Makes Red Tussock NZ Special?

Native to New Zealand, red tussock thrives in open spaces, wetlands, and hillside environments. Its arching foliage turns vibrant red-bronze during colder months, delivering dramatic contrast when paired with other native grasses. Because of its robust growth and ability to tolerate wind and frost, red tussock is ideal for low-maintenance gardens, large-scale revegetation, and bank stabilisation projects.

Unlike many imported ornamental grasses, red tussock NZ has evolved to suit local soils and climates, making it a sustainable choice for New Zealand gardeners. It provides valuable habitat for native insects and birds, and its dense tufts help suppress weeds naturally.

Where to Plant Red Tussock

Red tussock is adaptable and suits a range of conditions, but for best results, plant it in full sun with moist, well-draining soil. It excels along driveways, in massed garden beds, rural shelter belts, and around ponds or water features. Red tussock mixes beautifully with other native and ornamental grasses such as Poa cita, adding layers of movement and colour throughout the seasons.

For dramatic effect, interplant red tussock with contrasting foliage like that of Carex secta (Swamp Sedge), or use alongside bold perennials such as Clivia miniata 'Red' (Natal Lily). These combinations maximise visual interest and biodiversity in your planting palette.

Red Tussock Care and Maintenance

Red tussock NZ is a low-care option once established. Simply cut back old foliage in late winter or early spring to encourage fresh new growth and maintain a tidy look. While tolerant of dry periods, this grass benefits from extra moisture during establishment and prolonged dry spells.

Mulching around the base helps conserve moisture and prevent competition from weeds. Red tussock rarely suffers from pests or disease, making it a reliable choice for sustainable garden design. If re-planting on slopes or larger areas, space plants about 80-100cm apart for strong coverage.

Enhancing Native Landscapes with Red Tussock

Many of New Zealand’s alpine and subalpine environments feature native tussocks. To recreate this effect in your garden, consider grouping red tussock with Chionochloa flavescens (Snow Tussock) or Chionochloa rigida (Snow Tussock). These related species offer a stunning blend of heights, colours, and seasonal changes that anchor your landscape firmly in New Zealand’s unique botanical heritage.

Red tussock NZ is a fantastic way to enhance your garden with year-round structure and colour, support local fauna, and honour our native ecosystems. Whether in a contemporary design or a natural restoration, red tussock brings timeless beauty and resilience to any New Zealand outdoor space.

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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.
Coprosma acerosa and Photinia 'Red Robin' have stood the test of time, but new generations of gardeners are discovering Schefflera arboricola variegated, Alstroemeria White Buttons (Peruvian Lily), and Helleborus 'White Picotee' (Hellebore).
–The Plant Company

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