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tall nz native grass

Looking for tall NZ native grass to bring structure, movement, and textural beauty to your New Zealand garden? Whether you’re landscaping a modern urban space or restoring a natural setting, tall native grasses play an essential role in celebrating Aotearoa’s unique flora. Not only do they create dynamic visual interest, but these robust perennial species are perfectly adapted to New Zealand’s varied climates and conditions. Explore the outstanding options below and discover which tall NZ native grasses suit your outdoor project, from mass plantings to feature specimens.

Carex flagellifera Green plant with lush and colourful foliage.

Carex flagellifera Green

Carex flagellifera Green is a NZ native, ornamental grass grown for its attractive foliage. It produces slender and lush, green leaves as it grows to 50 cm tall and the same width. Carex flagellifera Green is often planted around the base of larger trees, included in border plantings, mass planted either as a groundcover or on a bank, or used in coastal gardens. It also looks great in planters, particularly when the foliage can cascade to the ground.

From $15.53

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Grasses
Height: 50 cm
Spread: 50 cm
Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy, Wet, Wind
Garden uses: Banks, Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Patios, Ponds, Pool areas
Garden styles: Alpine, Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, 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 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. Poa cita is also often included in borders, rock gardens, mass-planted on a bank, or planted to help minimize erosion. Landscape designers in NZ frequently use Silver Tussock in alpine-themed gardens or modern gardens for their rounded, architectural form.

From $14.18

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
Baumea articulata (Jointed Twig Rush) with upright, green foliage, growing in water.

Baumea articulata

Baumea articulata, commonly known as the Jointed Twig Rush, is an attractive, NZ native grass grown for its aesthetics and ability to handle and...

From$18.83
Carex comans green plants with dense, green foliage in a garden.

Carex comans Green

Carex comans Green is a NZ native, ornamental grass featuring slender and arching, lime green foliage. It grows as a tidy clump to about 40 cm tall...

From$13.43
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$13.43
Cyperus ustulatus growing in water.

Cyperus ustulatus (Giant Umbrella Sedge)

Cyperus ustulatus, commonly known as the Giant Umbrella Sedge, is a large and robust NZ native grass. It grows as a clump and produces dark green...

From$17.48
Chionochloa flavicans (Miniature ToeToe) plants with cascading cream-coloured flowers.

Chionochloa flavicans (Miniature Toetoe)

Chionochloa flavicans, commonly known as Miniature ToeToe or Dwarf Toe Toe, is a highly popular NZ native grass. It has flowing, green foliage and...

From$9.01
Typha orientalis (Raupo) plants with brown seed heads.

Typha orientalis (Raupō)

Typha orientalis, commonly known as Raupo, is a vigorous and erect, NZ native grass. It is found throughout New Zealand in shallow, fertile waters...

From$14.51
Apodasmia similis growing in a rock garden.

Apodasmia similis (Oi Oi)

Apodasmia similis, commonly known as Oioi or Jointed Wire Rush, is a hardy native grass-like plant found throughout New Zealand. It is ideal for...

From$13.43
Chionochloa rigida plant growing beside a path.

Chionochloa rigida (Snow Tussock)

Chionochloa rigida, commonly known as narrow-leaved snow tussock, is a hardy New Zealand native grass prized for its delicate, upright foliage and...

From$15.53
An exquisite Tall Fescue lawn.

Tall Fescue

Tall Fescue is an excellent lawn grass choice for New Zealand homeowners seeking a dark green, tough, and attractive lawn. It is widely used by ready...

From$19.50
Ficinia nodosa (Knobby Club Rush) plants growing in sand and displaying lush, green foliage.

Ficinia nodosa (Knobby Club Rush)

Ficinia nodosa, commonly known as Knobby Club Rush, is a NZ native grass that features stout, mid-green foliage. In cold or exposed climates, the...

From$13.43
Juncus edgariae (Wiwi) plants growing in a wetland.

Juncus edgariae (Edgar's Rush)

Juncus edgariae, commonly known as Wiwi, is the most prevalent species of Rush in New Zealand and grows as a tight clump with bright green, stem-like...

From$16.13
Orange foliage on Carex testacea.

Carex testacea

Carex testacea, commonly known as Orange Sedge, is a striking New Zealand native grass admired for its fine, arching foliage that turns a brilliant...

From$13.43
Carex buchananii with lush brown foliage growing as a specimen plant in a rock garden.

Carex buchananii (Buchanans Sedge)

Carex buchananii, commonly known as Leatherleaf Sedge, is a striking New Zealand native grass-like plant with delicate, upright, copper-bronze...

From$13.43
festuca-banks-peninsula-blue-1

Festuca 'Banks Peninsula Blue' (Blue Fescue Grass)

Festuca 'Banks Peninsula Blue' is a striking ornamental grass valued for its fine, steel blue foliage that forms neat, compact clumps. This hardy...

From$14.18
Carex comans Bronze plant in a garden with dense bronze foliage.

Carex comans Bronze

Carex comans Bronze features slender, hair-like, bronze-brown foliage. It typically grows to 40 cm tall and the same width. Carex comans Bronze is...

From$10.13
Carex 'Frosted Curls' plants with elegant green foliage growing in a pot with other plants.

Carex Frosted Curls

Carex Frosted Curls is an ornamental grass with slender, hair-like, iridescent foliage that shimmers in light breezes. It typically grows to 30 cm...

From$13.43
Carex dipsacea plants as a mass planting in a garden.

Carex dipsacea (Teasel Sedge)

Carex dipsacea is a fine-leaved, clump-forming sedge native to New Zealand. It features slender, green to bronze-tinted foliage and grows to...

From$15.53
Carex secta plants growing as a border garden in a commercial car park.

Carex secta (Swamp Sedge)

Carex secta, commonly known as Pukio, is a striking New Zealand native sedge admired for its large, tussock forming habit and golden green foliage...

From$15.53
Lomandra Tankia with lush green foliage bordering a path.

Lomandra 'Tanika'

Lomandra Tanika is a hardy, Australian Native grass that is commonly known as Mat Rush. This grass features fine, deep-green foliage and a graceful...

From$20.18
Lomandra 'Echidna' grass growing as a mass planting beside a path.

Lomandra Echidna

The Lomandra Echidna grass is a tough and reliable plant with outstanding aesthetics. It features lush, mid-green foliage held upright with a gentle...

From$16.13
Miscanthus Morning Light growing as a clump with variegated leaves.

Miscanthus 'Morning Light'

Miscanthus 'Morning Light' (Maiden Grass) is a refined ornamental grass valued for its fine narrow foliage edged with silvery white. This elegant...

From$18.83
A large Calamagrostis 'Overdam' grass with elegant, variegated foliage.

Calamagrostis 'Overdam'

Calamagrostis ‘Overdam’ is a striking variegated ornamental grass that delivers elegant upright form and delicate texture to garden borders and...

From$22.88
Hakonechloa albostriata plant with variegated foliage.

Hakonechloa macra 'Albostriata'

Hakonechloa macra 'Albostriata', commonly known as Japanese Forest Grass, is a stunning ornamental grass. It features variegated green foliage with...

From$22.88
Lomandra Green Allure plant with lush, green foliage.

Lomandra Green Allure

Lomandra Green Allure is widely used in landscaping projects across NZ. It is commonly mass planted as a ground cover or on a bank, included in...

From$20.18
Dactylis glomerata plant with a cat.

Dactylis glomerata (Cat Grass)

Dactylis glomerata, commonly known as Cat Grass or Catnip Grass, is a popular grass that is loved by cats. It features flowing, green foliage held as...

From$21.53
An elegant Miscanthus sinensis grass with cream-coloured flower plumes and lush green foliage.

Miscanthus sinensis

Miscanthus sinensis is an ornamental grass that grows as a clump of narrow, arching, green leaves. The colouring gives a light silver-green effect to...

From$21.53
Sisyrinchium californicum plants with yellow flowers and fine, green foliage.

Sisyrinchium californicum

Sisyrinchium californicum, commonly known as the Golden Eyed Grass, is an herbaceous perennial grown for both its foliage and flowers. It bears...

From$17.48
Carex virgata grass plants in pots at The Plant Company nursery.

Carex virgata

Carex virgata, commonly known as Swamp Sedge, is a hardy New Zealand native sedge that thrives in wetlands, damp soils, and along waterways. It forms...

From$15.53
Libertia paniculata plant with white flowers.

Libertia paniculata (Grass Flag)

Libertia paniculata is an elegant evergreen perennial admired for its fine, upright foliage and delicate white flowers that appear in airy clusters...

From$15.86
A Sophora chathamica tree growing in a garden with green foliage.

Sophora chathamica

Sophora chathamica (Coastal Kōwhai) is a stunning New Zealand native tree known for its masses of bright yellow flowers that appear in early spring...

From$358.98
Carex flagellifera Green

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Apodasmia, Baumea, Calamagrostis, Carex, Chionochloa, Cyperus, Dactylis, Festuca, Ficinia, Hakonechloa, Juncus, Libertia, Lomandra, Miscanthus, Poa, Sisyrinchium Sophora and Typha, or related Categories - Grass Seed, Grasses Perennials and Evergreen Trees.

Search tall nz native grass

Why Choose Tall NZ Native Grass?

Incorporating tall NZ native grass into your landscape is a practical and environmentally sensitive choice. Native grasses provide important habitat for local wildlife, help prevent soil erosion, and require less water and care compared to exotic species. Their upright, arching forms catch the light beautifully and soften hard landscaping elements such as fences and walls. Best of all, tall native grasses thrive throughout New Zealand’s diverse regions, from coastal sand dunes to lowland wetlands.

Top Tall NZ Native Grasses for Your Garden

Several tall-growing New Zealand natives bring drama and movement to the garden. Here are leading performers to consider:

Baumea articulata

Baumea articulata, commonly known as Jointed Rush, is a striking wetland grass reaching up to 1.5 metres in height. Its vertical, jointed stems create bold structure, making it ideal for margins of ponds, streams, or rain gardens.

Carex solandri

Carex solandri, or Solander’s Sedge, forms lush, upright tussocks that can grow over a metre tall. Loved for its rich green leaves and elegant flower spikes, this robust grass suits borders, mass plantings, and revegetation projects.

Poa cita

Poa cita, also known as Silver Tussock, is one of New Zealand’s most iconic tall native grasses. Its fine, silvery-green arching foliage adds softness to dry, exposed areas, and it grows well above 1 metre when mature. Use this versatile grass for low-maintenance, drought-tolerant landscapes.

Other Great NZ Native Grasses

While many natives thrive in a variety of environments, you may also want to plant lower-growing species for contrast or ground cover. Carex flagellifera Green is a compact and hardy selection, valued for its coppery-green tones, and Carex comans Green delivers plush, rolling greens for mixed grass plantings.

Using Tall NZ Native Grass in Your Landscape

Tall NZ native grass is incredibly versatile – use it to create natural screens, windbreaks, or striking textural contrast among shrubs and trees. These grasses perform well in both formal and informal settings, and their graceful movement brings life to even the simplest garden designs. They are superb for erosion control on slopes and stabilising riverbanks, and they pair beautifully with other native species for authentic New Zealand planting schemes.

Discover the Beauty of Tall NZ Native Grass

Planting tall NZ native grass is a sustainable, low-maintenance way to add year-round beauty to your landscape, nurture native biodiversity, and connect your garden to Aotearoa’s natural heritage. Browse our selection today, including Baumea articulata, Carex solandri, and Poa cita, and transform your outdoors with the enduring appeal of native grass.

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.
While Anemanthele lessoniana (Pheasant's Tail Grass) and Lomandra White Sands often steal the spotlight, charming plants like Azalea Brides Bouquet (Brides Bouquet Azalea), Fuchsia 'Carn Brea', and Cornus stolonifera 'Flaviramea' quietly shine in any garden.
–The Plant Company

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