Groundcovers are versatile, evergreen easy-grow and easy care plants. They can add colour and interest to a garden, a rockery, a shady corner or on those hard to mow slopes. These low-growing, trailing plants also provide protection from soil erosion and drought.

CLICK TO ENLARGE

aka Bugleweed

This attractive spreading ground-cover has very interesting undulating foliage that is such a dark burgundy shade it looks black. Bright blue flowers appear in spring through to summer and contrast well with the leaves. Plant in sun or semi-shade. Perennial. PVR HOM220.

While Ajuga is a very hardy and tolerant plant it prefers a soil that does not completely dry out in summer. I have also found that the best results are achieved when Ajuga is not baking in NZ's hot afternoon sun.

 

CLICK TO ENLARGE

Deep blue, funnel like flowers are found in abundance on this low maintenance ground cover. Trail it over rocks and walls or would look great trailing from hanging pots. Dense neat habit. Evergreen perennial.

 

CLICK TO ENLARGE

Native. A spreading coprosma with dark brown foliage which darkens in winter to near black. Hardy and easy to grow. Makes a great groundcover for those tough spots in the garden. Will tolerate coastal conditions. Evergreen.

 

CLICK TO ENLARGE

aka Sand Dune Coprosma

NZ Native. This form was discovered on cliffs near Hawera. It is a ground hugging native that forms a tight mat of small narrow olive green leaves. Excellent landscape plant for covering large areas of ground. Hardy, tolerant of cold and wind. Evergreen.

 

CLICK TO ENLARGE

Native. This quick growing coprosma creates a mat of rich green foliage. It is easily grown in a sunny position and make an excellent groundcover for banks. Tolerates most soil types, including coastal and exposed sites. Evergreen.

 

CLICK TO ENLARGE

aka Mirror Plant

NZ Native. Coprosma Prostrata has little shiny green leaves and makes an attractive groundcover. Great for thoAcer vise tough spots in the garden. Hardy and tolerant of dry conditions. Plant in full sun. Evergreen.

 

CLICK TO ENLARGE

Excellent Silver leaved plant for hanging Baskets., groundcover or in a pot mixture. A vigorous cascading grower that performs best in full sun position being very drought and heat tolerant recovering quickly if wilting occurs. Expect a long season with this beauty.

 

CLICK TO ENLARGE

aka Lemon Scented Jasmine

Jasminum azoricum, commonly known as lemon-scented jasmine is an evergreen climbing vine. Small dark green glossy leaves and white highly scented star-shaped flowers in summer. Ideal for growing over a trellis or fence.

 

CLICK TO ENLARGE

aka Shore Leptinella

Native. Interesting and attractive little ground-cover with fresh green, flat, fern like foliage that sometimes has a hint of bronze. Quite fast growing in sun or part shade and tolerant of coastal conditions. Sometimes used as a 'now mow' lawn substitute. Evergreen.

 

CLICK TO ENLARGE

aka Creeping Jenny

Excellent yellow-green creeper plant. Perfect to cover ponds edges or sprawl along as a groundcover. Yellow flowers are produced in summer time. Prefers moist soils but can tolerate fully submerged spot.

 

CLICK TO ENLARGE

aka Creeping Wire Vine

Here's something just a bit different to add contrast and texture to your planting schemes. Golden stems covered with tiny dark green leaves twist and turn to form a mat of dark green. Dainty yellow flowers in summer sometimes followed by black berries.