Name: The Plant Company
Address: 284 Meeanee Road, Meeanee, Napier, 4112, New Zealand
Telephone: 0800 843 752
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variegated ground cover plants

Add instant interest and vibrance to your garden with variegated ground cover plants. Their distinctive, multicoloured leaves offer more than just functional coverage; they create striking visual texture along pathways, under trees, or across garden beds. Suitable for New Zealand gardens, these versatile plants suppress weeds, help retain soil moisture, and provide a beautiful alternative to ordinary green foliage.

Coprosma kirkii 'variegata'

Coprosma kirkii 'Variegata' is a hardy NZ native groundcover shrub admired for its trailing habit and attractive variegated foliage of green edged with cream. This evergreen plant provides year round colour and texture while suppressing weeds and covering bare ground.

Buy Coprosma kirkii 'variegata'

From $17.95

Suited to regions: All regions

Plant type: Groundcover Plants

Height: 25 cm

Spread: 2.50 m

Flowering time: Spring

Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy, Wind

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

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

Trachelospermum jasminoides variegatum white flowers and variegated leaves.

Trachelospermum jasminoides variegatum (Variegated Star Jasmine)

Trachelospermum jasminoides variegatum is a striking evergreen climber featuring glossy green leaves edged with creamy-white margins. In summer, it produces clusters of sweetly scented, star-shaped white flowers contrasting beautifully against the variegated foliage.

Buy Trachelospermum jasminoides variegatum (Variegated Star Jasmine)

From $16.50

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate

Plant type: Climbers

Height: 3.00 m

Spread: 2.50 m

Flowering time: Summer

Tolerances: Hardy

Garden uses: Arches, Living areas, Pool areas, Screening

Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Tropical, White

Why Choose Variegated Ground Cover Plants?

Variegated ground cover plants are perfect for brightening shady corners or adding contrast to your landscape. The cream, white, gold, or silver patterns in their leaves make these plants truly eye-catching, whether they're cascading over walls or forming lush carpets. Many variegated varieties are robust, low-maintenance, and adaptable to a range of soil and light conditions, making them ideal for both novice and expert gardeners.

Top Variegated Ground Cover Plants for New Zealand

Ajuga reptans variegata

For a hardy, fast-spreading option, Ajuga reptans variegata is a top choice. Its attractive bronze-green leaves are edged with creamy white, and it produces upright spikes of deep blue flowers in spring. Ajuga thrives in partial shade and stays lush throughout the year.

Coprosma kirkii 'variegata'

Kiwi gardeners love Coprosma kirkii 'variegata' for its tough adaptability and unique, cream-edged leaves. This New Zealand native hugs the ground beautifully and stands up well to coastal exposure, wind, and salt spray, making it perfect for those hard-to-fill gardens.

Trachelospermum jasminoides variegatum (Variegated Star Jasmine)

If you want fragrance as well as foliage, try the Trachelospermum jasminoides variegatum (Variegated Star Jasmine). It has glossy green leaves with creamy yellow margins and produces scented white flowers. Use it as ground cover in a sunny spot, or allow it to climb and trail where you need a splash of colour.

Hedera canariensis Variegata

The bold, variegated leaves of Hedera canariensis Variegata bring elegance to any shady space. This vigorous form of ivy covers large areas quickly, making it ideal for suppressing weeds on banks or beneath trees, while adding dramatic foliage contrast.

Carpodetus serratus prostrata

For something different, Carpodetus serratus prostrata offers intricate, creeping forms with small leaves. It's great for naturalistic planting, rockeries, or erosion control on slopes. While not strictly variegated, its texture adds interest among other variegated ground cover plants.

How to Use Variegated Ground Cover in the Garden

Plant variegated ground cover plants along borders, between shrubs, or beneath trees for a burst of brightness and texture. They’re perfect for unifying mixed plantings, creating a tapestry effect, or softening the hard lines of paths and driveways. For best results, mix several varieties for a year-round display, and pair with native species for resilience and biodiversity.

Explore our full selection of ground cover plants—including the stunning variegated varieties above—to add effortless beauty to your garden all year round.

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.

variegated ground cover plants

Coprosma kirkii 'variegata'

Trachelospermum jasminoides variegatum (Variegated Star Jasmine)

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Why Choose Variegated Ground Cover Plants?