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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.

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 typically grows to 60 cm in height and 50 cm in width, preferring a full sun or partial shade position on a well-drained site.

From $9.95

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Grasses
Height: 60 cm
Spread: 50 cm
Flowering time: Summer
Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy, Wind
Garden uses: Borders, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Ponds, Pool areas
Garden styles: Alpine, Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern, Native
Clivia miniata 'Red' plants with elegant, red flowers.

Clivia miniata 'Red'

Clivia miniata 'Red' is a striking evergreen perennial prized for its bold red trumpet shaped flowers that appear in late winter and spring. The lush, arching green leaves form an elegant clump, making this a standout choice for shaded New Zealand gardens.

From $20.01

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate
Plant type: Perennials
Height: 60 cm
Spread: 60 cm
Flowering time: Spring, Winter
Tolerances: Extended dry periods, Shade
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Pool areas
Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Tropical
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...

From$28.91
Pseudowintera colorata colourful foliage.
Pseudowintera colorata

Pseudowintera colorata, commonly known as Mountain Horopito, is a NZ native shrub grown for its colourful foliage. New growth has dominant red tones...

From$387.55
Metrosideros 'Mistral' specimen tree with colourful red flowers above olive-green foliage.
Metrosideros 'Mistral'

Metrosideros ‘Mistral’ is a compact New Zealand native pohutukawa selection valued for its dense habit, glossy evergreen foliage, and vivid red...

From$255.51
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...

From$249.95
Knightia excelsa (Rewarewa) specimen tree in a park.
Knightia excelsa

Knightia excelsa, commonly known as Rewarewa, is an impressive NZ native tree featuring showy flowers and lush foliage. Unusual yet attractive, dark...

From$270.40
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$30.29
Leptospermum 'Wiri Joan' double red flowers with dark green foliage.
Leptospermum 'Wiri Joan'

Leptospermum 'Wiri Joan' is a compact evergreen shrub celebrated for its striking deep red flowers that cover the plant from spring through summer...

From$27.53
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
leptospermum-red-falls--3
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...

From$27.53
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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...

From$27.53
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
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
acer-red-sunset-2
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
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...

From$27.53
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$17.95
A cluster of Quercus rubra specimen trees with red foliage.
Quercus rubra

Quercus rubra, commonly known as the Northern Red Oak tree, is a deciduous tree that features very colourful and lush foliage. The foliage emerges...

From$279.95
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
grevillea-red-clusters-4
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$24.95
Rhubarb 'Ruby Red' red stems.
Rhubarb 'Ruby Red'

Rhubarb 'Ruby Red' is a popular heritage rhubarb variety prized for its vibrant red stalks and excellent flavour. This productive perennial performs...

From$17.95
Cornus 'Southern Cross' white flowers with lush, green foliage.
Cornus kousa 'Southern Cross'

Cornus kousa 'Southern Cross' features large and showy, white flowers which adorn the tree in spring and are followed by red berries in autumn. It...

From$340.69
acer-rubrum-1
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
salvia-red-2
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
Photinia 'Red Robin' hedge with colourful foliage.
Photinia 'Red Robin'

Photinia ‘Red Robin’ is a popular evergreen shrub renowned for its vibrant red new growth, which contrasts beautifully with the mature glossy green...

From$18.95
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Camellia Roma Red

Camellia 'Roma Red' is a striking evergreen shrub known for its rich red blooms and glossy green foliage. It delivers bold winter to spring colour in...

From$34.95
Grapefruit 'Cutler's Red' orange fruit.
Grapefruit 'Cutlers Red'

Grapefruit 'Cutlers Red' produces good yields of large, deep orange, juicy fruit from winter through spring. The rind is thick but easily peeled. It...

From$369.95
Acer palmatum 'Red Emperor' specimen tree in a mixed planting.
Acer 'Red Emperor'

Acer 'Red Emperor' is a striking Japanese maple valued for its rich deep red foliage and strong upright form. This deciduous tree performs...

From$349.95
A stunning Albizia julibrissin 'Red Silk' tree with masses of red flowers.
Albizia 'Red Silk'

Albizia 'Red Silk' is a variety of the commonly known Silk Tree, and is grown for its delicate foliage and showy flowers. The fern-like foliage is...

From$344.95
Poa cita

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Carex, Clivia, and Knightia, or related Categories - Flaxes, Grasses, and Perennials.

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.
Gardenia 'Veitchii' and Buxus sempervirens (Boxwood) have stood the test of time, but new generations of gardeners are discovering Cercis 'Oklahoma', Viburnum davidii (male), and Azalea 'Brides Bouquet'.
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