Grasses are among the most adaptable and visually pleasing plant types for New Zealand gardens. With their diverse forms, heights, and seasonal changes, grasses add movement, texture, and colour to any landscape. Whether you’re after lush groundcovers, architectural statement plants, or easy-care borders, there’s a grass to suit every need.
Acorus gramineus variegatus, commonly known as Variegated Sweet Flag, is an attractive ornamental grass-like plant prized for its elegant green and...
Austroderia fulvida, commonly known as Toetoe or Toi Toi, is a large and vigorous NZ native grass. It bears long, narrow, mid-green leaves that are...
Calamagrostis 'Karl Foerster' is a popular ornamental grass known for its upright, clump-forming habit and tall, feathery flower plumes. It grows to...
Carex buchananii, commonly known as Leatherleaf Sedge, is a striking New Zealand native grass-like plant with delicate, upright, copper-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...
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...
Carex dipsacea is a fine-leaved, clump-forming sedge native to New Zealand. It features slender, green to bronze-tinted foliage and grows to...
Carex dissita, commonly known as Purei or Forest Sedge, features arching, mid-green leaves that radiate from a central clump. It typically grows to...
Carex flagellifera Red is a NZ native, ornamental grass grown for its colourful and attractive foliage. It produces slender and lush, copper-red...
Carex Frosted Curls is an ornamental grass with slender, hair-like, iridescent foliage that shimmers in light breezes. It typically grows to 30 cm...
Carex oshimensis ‘Everillo’ is a standout ornamental sedge prized for its vivid lime yellow foliage that adds instant brightness to NZ gardens. This...
Carex solandri is a NZ native, ornamental grass that features attractive, dark green foliage. The foliage emerges upright and develops a gentle and...
Carex testacea, commonly known as Orange Sedge, is a striking New Zealand native grass admired for its fine, arching foliage that turns a brilliant...
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...
Chionochloa rubra, commonly known as Red Tussock, is a striking New Zealand native grass admired for its tall, arching foliage in shades of bronze...
Chrysopogon zizanioides (Vetiver Grass) is a hardy, evergreen clump forming grass renowned for its deep root system, attractive upright foliage, and...
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...
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...
Festuca coxii, commonly known as Blue Fescue, is a hardy NZ native, ornamental grass that features fine, blue foliage. Straw-coloured seed heads...
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...
Isolepis cernua (Fiber Optic Grass) is a distinctive ornamental grass prized for its fine green stems tipped with tiny white flowers that resemble...
Juncus 'Blue Dart' is a striking ornamental rush prized for its upright blue green foliage and strong architectural form. This hardy evergreen plant...
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...
Juncus effusus (Spiral Rush) is an eye catching rush valued for its distinctive twisting green stems, compact clumping habit, and strong...
Grasses bring unrivalled versatility to gardens. They thrive in a variety of conditions, tolerate both drought and wet soils, and need minimal maintenance once established. Their swaying blades and plumes catch the light, creating living sculptures year-round. Many grasses are evergreen or offer attractive seed heads in autumn, adding four-season interest. They’re perfect for modern landscapes, coastal settings, mass plantings, and naturalistic garden designs alike.
Consider adding statement varieties such as Lomandra Lime Tuff, loved for its clumping habit and lush foliage that looks great all year. Whether used as soft borders or planted en masse, these grasses bring instant texture and movement.
New Zealand offers both native and exotic grasses ideal for a range of garden styles. Native species, such as Poa cita and Chionochloa flavicans (Miniature Toetoe), are well-adapted to local conditions and enhance biodiversity. Hardy ornamental grasses like Calamagrostis 'Karl Foerster' are chosen for their upright form and striking flower spikes.
If you’re looking to establish a resilient, low-maintenance border, check out our gardening tips and tricks. You’ll find expert advice on the planting, care, and design uses of grasses, helping you select the best species for your location and garden goals. Incorporating the right grasses can help control erosion, attract wildlife, and reduce ongoing maintenance – all while creating beautiful effects throughout the seasons.
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.
