Name: The Plant Company
Address: 284 Meeanee Road, Meeanee, Napier, 4112, New Zealand
Telephone: 0800 843 752
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small native plants nz

Looking for small native plants NZ gardeners love for their compact size, hardiness, and beautiful foliage? Whether you’re designing an urban courtyard, a native garden border, or seeking ground covers for erosion-prone slopes, New Zealand’s small native plants offer versatile options that thrive in local conditions. Choosing small native plants helps support our unique ecosystems, attracts native birds and insects, and brings the beauty of Aotearoa right into your backyard.

Phormium 'Surfer'

Phormium 'Surfer' is a compact New Zealand native flax admired for its striking green leaves edged with bronze and red tones. Its upright, arching foliage adds year round structure, texture, and colour contrast to the garden. This hardy and versatile variety is ideal for small spaces, borders, and containers.

Buy Phormium 'Surfer'

From $12.95

Suited to regions: All regions

Plant type: Flaxes

Height: 80 cm

Spread: 80 cm

Flowering time: Summer

Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy, Wet, Wind

Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Parks, Paths & Steps, Patios, Ponds, Pool areas, Specimen

Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern, Native, Riparian

Sophora microphylla specimen tree covered in yellow flowers.

Sophora microphylla (Small Leaved Kōwhai)

Sophora microphylla, commonly known as Weeping Kowhai, is a treasured New Zealand native tree admired for its graceful, drooping branches and masses of golden yellow flowers in spring. This semi-evergreen species is highly attractive to native birds such as tui and bellbirds, which feed on its nectar.

Buy Sophora microphylla (Small Leaved Kōwhai)

From $28.91

Suited to regions: All regions

Plant type: Trees

Height: 10.00 m

Spread: 6.00 m

Flowering time: Spring

Tolerances: Hardy, Wet, Wind

Garden uses: Parks, Ponds, Screening, Specimen

Garden styles: Alpine, Backyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Native

Why Choose Small Native Plants NZ?

Small native plants are perfect for gardens of all sizes, especially if space is at a premium. Their adaptability makes them ideal for rockeries, border planting, container gardens, or underplanting larger shrubs and trees. Small native species are also more likely to cope with local pests, and generally require less maintenance and watering once established. Plus, incorporating small native plants is a step toward restoring local biodiversity.

Top Choices for Small Native Plants in NZ

To help you find the perfect fit for your garden, here are some exceptional small native plants NZ gardeners regularly recommend:

Pimelea prostrata 'Blue Peter': This hardy, ground-hugging plant produces clusters of soft-blue flowers in spring and summer, thriving in sunny positions with free-draining soil. Its low, spreading habit makes it a favourite ground cover along paths, in rockeries, or between stepping stones.
Pratia angulata: Known for its dainty star-like white flowers and dense green mat, this native creeper is shade-tolerant and ideal for filling in gaps or creating a lush green carpet underneath shrubs.
Carpodetus serratus prostrata: This unique prostrate form of the putaputawētā forms a neat, spreading mound, perfect for banks and garden edges. Its intricate foliage adds texture and interest year-round.
Leptinella pusilla (Purple Brass Buttons): This tiny beauty forms a tight mat with bronzed-purple ferny leaves and button-like flowers, bringing both colour and form to compact spaces or between paving stones.
Sophora microphylla (Small Leaved Kōwhai): While kōwhai are typically known for their larger tree forms, the small-leaved variety grows as a compact shrub, producing vibrant yellow blooms that are magnets for tūī and other pollinators.

How to Use Small Native Plants in Your Garden

Small native plants NZ gardeners love aren’t just practical—they’re also stunning additions to mixed plantings, wildflower gardens, and more. You can use these species to:

Create native low hedges or borders
Suppress weeds and stabilise soil on slopes with spreading ground covers
Attract native birds, bees, and butterflies with nectar-producing flowers
Highlight features or line pathways with low-growing forms

Growing Tips for Small Native Plants NZ

Most small native plants are remarkably easy to care for. Start with good soil preparation: well-drained soil enriched with organic matter is ideal. Most species thrive in full sun, though some, like Pratia angulata, are happy in part shade. Apply mulch to retain moisture, especially during dry spells, and water regularly until established.

Ready to explore more options or place an order? Browse our full range of small native plants NZ gardener’s trust for beautiful, resilient landscapes. Transform your garden into a haven for both people and wildlife with these locally-adapted gems.

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.

small native plants nz

Phormium 'Surfer'

Sophora microphylla (Small Leaved Kōwhai)

Did you find what you are looking for?

Why Choose Small Native Plants NZ?

Top Choices for Small Native Plants in NZ

How to Use Small Native Plants in Your Garden

Growing Tips for Small Native Plants NZ

Contact us

Explore Garden Inspiration

small native plants nz

Phormium 'Surfer'

Sophora microphylla (Small Leaved Kōwhai)

Did you find what you are looking for?

Why Choose Small Native Plants NZ?

Top Choices for Small Native Plants in NZ

How to Use Small Native Plants in Your Garden

Growing Tips for Small Native Plants NZ

Contact us

Explore Garden Inspiration

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