small native plants

Why Choose Small Native Plants?

Opting for small native plants brings a host of advantages. Their compact size makes them perfect for urban gardens, courtyards, or as accents in larger native landscapes. Many act as groundcovers, suppressing weeds, reducing erosion, and retaining moisture in the soil. By selecting small native plants, you also help preserve New Zealand’s unique flora and foster habitats for native birds, lizards, and insects.

Favourite Small Native Groundcovers

Groundcover species thrive with minimal care, offering lush foliage and often charming flowers. Pratia angulata, for instance, features tiny star-shaped flowers and glossy green leaves, forming a dense mat ideal for shaded spots or between paving stones. Another excellent choice is Leptinella dioica (Bachelors Buttons): its fern-like foliage and yellow-green button flowers make it a playful groundcover. For stunning colour, Leptinella pusilla (Purple Brass Buttons) offers purple-bronze tones and delicate texture, perfect for edging or filling in difficult spots.

Explore Leptospermum Wairere for a sprawling groundcover with silvery foliage and small white flowers, creating an attractive native carpet for banks or retaining walls. These species all suit rock gardens, around stepping stones, or as low borders, and thrive in New Zealand’s changing climate.

Compact Shrubs and Small Trees

Small native plants aren’t limited to groundcovers — compact shrubs and smaller trees can work wonders as feature plants, informal hedges, or container displays. Sophora microphylla (Small Leaved Kōwhai) is a great example, offering fine foliage and showy clusters of yellow flowers that attract tūī and bellbirds in spring. Its small size and elegant branching make it an ideal choice for smaller properties or for growing in a pot on the patio.

Using Small Native Plants in Your Garden

Small native plants are incredibly versatile. Mass plant them for a modern, low-maintenance look, weave them between larger trees, or use them as living mulch under taller species. They fit beautifully in cottage gardens, naturalistic landscaping, or to soften paths and patios. Best of all, small native plants require less watering and fertiliser, reducing your garden’s impact and providing a truly local habitat.

Start Your Native Garden Today

Inviting small native plants into your garden isn’t just about looks; it’s about creating a resilient, uniquely New Zealand landscape. From Pratia angulata and Leptinella dioica (Bachelors Buttons) to Sophora microphylla (Small Leaved Kōwhai) and Leptinella pusilla (Purple Brass Buttons), there are small native plants to suit every space. Discover our range and bring a touch of native charm to your home, one small but mighty plant at a time.