New Zealand's native ground covers provide excellent low-maintenance alternatives to lawns and imported species. These hardy plants are perfect for suppressing weeds, preventing soil erosion, and adding texture to garden beds. Many feature attractive flowers, foliage, or berries while requiring minimal care once established.
Pīngao
Ficinia spiralis
Golden sand sedge that stabilizes coastal dunes with its distinctive spiral growth and cultural significance.
Creeping Pōhuehue
Muehlenbeckia axillaris
A dense mat-forming plant with small round leaves and tiny white flowers, excellent for rocky areas.
Bidibidi
Acaena inermis
A low-growing plant with attractive foliage that forms a dense mat, suitable for rockeries.
Creeping Fuchsia
Fuchsia procumbens
Unique ground-covering fuchsia with unusual upward-facing flowers and colorful berries.
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Taupata
Coprosma repens
A hardy coastal shrub that can also be used as a ground cover in exposed sites.
Spinifex
Spinifex sericeus
A native sand-binding grass with distinctive rolling seedheads, ideal for dune restoration.
