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winter hardy perennial plants

If you want a vibrant and resilient garden that thrives all year, winter hardy perennial plants are a must-have for New Zealand gardeners. These robust plants not only withstand chilly temperatures but also return year after year, offering beauty, structure, and low-maintenance appeal to your landscape. Even in the most brisk winter conditions, the right perennials can keep your garden looking lush, colourful, and full of life.

Helleborus orientalis with colourful pink flowers.

Helleborus orientalis (Lenten Rose)

Helleborus orientalis, commonly known as Lenten Rose, is a hardy perennial prized for its elegant winter and early spring blooms. Flowers appear in shades of white, pink, plum, and green, often with striking speckled centres, bringing colour when few other plants flower. Growing 40–60 cm tall, it thrives in partial shade and well-drained soil.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Perennials
Height: 50 cm
Spread: 45 cm
Flowering time: Spring, Winter
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Patios, Pool areas
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern
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Helleborus 'English Thoroughbred Series' (Winter Rose)

Helleborus 'English Thoroughbred Series' is a premium evergreen perennial valued for its elegant winter and early spring flowers and attractive year round foliage.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Perennials
Height: 45 cm
Spread: 45 cm
Flowering time: Spring, Winter
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Patios, Pool areas
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Tropical
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...

From$20.01
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
Orange flowers on a lush Clivia miniata grandiflora plant.
Clivia miniata grandiflora

Clivia miniata grandiflora is a bold evergreen perennial admired for its large clusters of brilliant orange trumpet shaped flowers that rise above...

From$22.01
Loropetalum chinense Rubrum purple and green foliage with pink flowers.
Loropetalum chinense var Rubrum

Loropetalum chinense var Rubrum features spectacularly coloured flowers and foliage. It produces fragrant, spider-like, pink-red flowers during...

From$28.91
Sophora molloyi 'Dragons Gold' small trees in full flower at The Plant Company.
Sophora 'Dragon's Gold'

Sophora 'Dragons Gold' is a highly ornamental NZ native shrub renowned for its early and vibrant golden yellow flowers. Blooming in late winter and...

From$26.15
helleborus-white-magic-2
Helleborus 'White Magic' (Hellebore)

Helleborus 'White Magic' is a stunning evergreen perennial that produces masses of elegant white flowers through winter and early spring. Its long...

From$19.95
helleborus-white-picotee-
Helleborus 'White Picotee'

Helleborus 'White Picotee' is a beautiful evergreen perennial featuring elegant white flowers delicately edged with darker picotee markings...

From$19.95
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Helleborus 'Yellow Hybrid'

Helleborus 'Yellow Hybrid' is a beautiful evergreen perennial that produces soft yellow flowers through winter and early spring, bringing welcome...

From$19.95
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Helleborus 'White Hybrid' (Hellebore)

Helleborus 'White Hybrid' is a beautiful winter flowering perennial that produces elegant white blooms above lush evergreen foliage. It provides...

From$19.95
helleborus-pink-
Helleborus 'Pink Hybrid'

Helleborus 'Pink Hybrid' is a delightful evergreen perennial that produces elegant pink flowers through winter and early spring when colour is most...

From$19.95
Calamagrostis 'Karl Foerster' grasses as a mass planting and featuring elegant, cream-coloured flower heads as plumes.
Calamagrostis 'Karl Foerster'

Calamagrostis 'Karl Foerster' is a popular ornamental grass known for its upright, clump-forming habit and tall, feathery flower plumes. It grows to...

From$19.95
clivia-miniata-2
Clivia miniata (Natal Lily)

Clivia miniata (Natal Lily) is a striking evergreen perennial admired for its bold dark green strap like foliage and vibrant clusters of orange...

From$22.01
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
Fuchsia procumbens plant growing across the ground with green foliage and yellow-green flowers.
Fuchsia procumbens (Climbing Fuchsia)

Fuchsia procumbens, commonly known as Creeping Fuchsia, is a low-growing, NZ native plant valued for its unique yellow-red flowers and ornamental...

From$14.95
Kniphofia 'Border Ballet' plants in a cottage garden featuring orange flowers and lush green foliage.
Kniphofia 'Border Ballet' (Hot Poker Plant)

Kniphofia 'Border Ballet' is a variety of the commonly known Red Hot Poker, and is grown for its colourful flowers. Stems rise above the foliage...

From$20.63
agave-americana-variegata--1
Agave americana 'Variegata' (Variegated Century Plant)

Agave americana 'Variegata' is a striking evergreen succulent valued for its bold architectural form and strongly variegated foliage. It forms a...

From$15.95
agapanthus-sarah-
Agapanthus 'Sarah'

Agapanthus Sarah is a compact and attractive perennial known for its rich coloured flower heads and tidy clumping habit. It performs exceptionally...

From$17.95
Sedum rubrotinctum (Jelly Bean Plant) bright red foliage.
Sedum rubrotinctum (Jelly Bean Plant)

Sedum rubrotinctum, commonly known as Jelly Bean Plant or Pork and Beans Plant, is a compact, low-growing succulent reaching 15–20 cm tall and...

From$21.39
clianthus-puniceus-
Clianthus puniceus (Parrot Beak Plant)

Clianthus puniceus (Kakabeak) is a spectacular New Zealand native shrub renowned for its striking clusters of brilliant red, beak shaped flowers that...

From$44.09
zamioculcas-black-knight-
Zamioculcas 'Black Knight' (ZZ ZZ Plant)

Zamioculcas 'Black Knight' is a very popular indoor plant owing to its dark and showy foliage. It grows as a clump and produces upright fronds which...

From$41.33
Dietes iridioides (African Iris) flowers amidst dark green foliage.
Dietes iridioides (African Iris)

Dietes iridioides, commonly known as the African Iris or Fortnight Lily, is a hardy, evergreen perennial native to southern Africa. It features...

From$17.87
Elegant Dietes grandiflora flowers.
Dietes grandiflora (Fairy Iris)

Dietes grandiflora, also known as Wild Iris or Fairy Iris, is a robust, clump-forming perennial prized for its large white flowers with yellow and...

From$15.87
A beautiful Sedum 'Autumn Joy' plant in a garden with pink flowers and lush, green foliage.
Sedum 'Autumn Joy'

Sedum 'Autumn Joy', commonly known as Stonecrop, is grown for its stunning flowers and attractive foliage. This herbaceous perennial produces flowers...

From$23.39
Coprosma 'Flat Freddy' ground cover shrub with brown stems and leaves.
Coprosma 'Flat Freddy'

Coprosma 'Flat Freddy' is a unique ground covering evergreen shrub valued for its rich chocolate brown foliage and naturally spreading form. Well...

From$17.95
Coprosma 'Black Cloud' shrub in a garden with black and green foliage.
Coprosma 'Black Cloud' (Black Coprosma)

Coprosma 'Black Cloud' is a striking evergreen shrub valued for its deep near black foliage and compact growth habit. Well suited to New Zealand...

From$17.95
Coprosma Poor Knights with lush green foliage.
Coprosma 'Poor Knights' (Taupata)

Coprosma 'Poor Knights' is a vibrant evergreen shrub valued for its glossy lime green foliage and compact rounded habit. This NZ native selection...

From$11.95
White flowers on a Cistus 'Snowmound' plant with green foliage.
Cistus 'Snowmound' (White Rock Rose Plant)

Cistus ‘Snowmound’ is a compact evergreen shrub that produces a breathtaking display of pure white flowers with golden-yellow centres from late...

From$24.77
Agapanthus 'Agapetite' plant with lush green flowers and elegant white flowers.
Agapanthus 'Agapetite'

Agapanthus 'Agapetite', also known as the Dwarf Agapanthus, is a compact and vibrant perennial ideal for New Zealand gardens. This stunning variety...

From$19.95
agapanthus-lapis-5
Agapanthus 'Lapis'

Agapanthus 'Lapis' is a compact and elegant perennial prized for its abundant clusters of rich blue flowers that appear above tidy clumps of lush...

From$13.95
Hemerocallis 'Scarlet Orbit' red flowers with a yellow centre.
Hemerocallis 'Scarlet Orbit'

Hemerocallis 'Scarlet Orbit' is a striking daylily variety that produces masses of rich scarlet red flowers with golden yellow throats. Perfect for...

From$20.63
Helleborus orientalis (Lenten Rose)

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Clivia, Helleborus, and Loropetalum, or related Categories - Perennials, and Evergreen Shrubs.

Search winter hardy perennial plants

Why Choose Winter Hardy Perennial Plants?

Winter hardy perennial plants bring enduring value to your garden, surviving the coldest months and bursting back to life every spring without the need for replanting. They’re a fantastic way to ensure your borders, pathways, and beds have interest, texture, and greenery through winter’s frosts and chills.

Top Winter Hardy Perennial Plants for New Zealand Gardens

Selecting the right winter hardy perennial plants transforms your outdoor spaces with robust foliage and cold-weather blooms. Standout options include:

Planting and Caring for Winter Hardy Perennials

Success with winter hardy perennial plants begins with choosing the right location and soil. Many, like Helleborus orientalis (Lenten Rose) and Bergenia cordifolia (Pig Squeak Plant), thrive best in well-drained soil with moderate to partial shade. Adding mulch in late autumn helps protect their roots and prolongs persistent foliage.

For best results, water deeply but infrequently during dry winter spells and remove spent leaves to keep your garden tidy. Dividing clumps every few years promotes vigorous growth and longevity—a real bonus as your perennial garden matures.

Design Ideas With Winter Hardy Perennial Plants

Intertwine winter hardy perennial plants in mixed borders alongside shrubs like Chimonanthus praecox for layers of fragrance, colour, and evergreen structure. Grouping strong foliage plants such as Bergenia cordifolia (Pig Squeak Plant) around shade-loving blooms like Helleborus orientalis (Lenten Rose) lends interest to cool-season beds. Pockets of Armeria maritima 'Rubra' add a pop of winter cheer to rocky areas or borders.

Create year-round interest and a resilient garden foundation with winter hardy perennial plants—you’ll enjoy a thriving, characterful landscape no matter the season.


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.

Heuchera 'Peppermint Spice' and Ficus Tuffi are tried and true, but new favourites like Ilex aquifolium 'Angustifolia', Beilschmiedia tawa (Tawa Tree), and Cryptomeria japonica 'Egmont' are just waiting to be discovered.
–The Plant Company

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