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

Native. A wiry prostrate shrub at home in dry coastal conditions. Twisting interlacing branches with chocolate brown foliage. Bright blue bead-like berries in autumn. Makes a thick dense mat. Good on dunes, banks and walls. 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

aka Mirror Plant

Native. Named for where it grows naturally - the Poor Knights Islands - this Coprosma is valued for the beautiful glossy green and evergreen foliage. Its growth habit is low and wide so it makes a good filler for banks etc. Likes the sun and can tolerate dry coastal conditions but not frost.

 

CLICK TO ENLARGE

aka Sand Dune Coprosma

This little Coprosma was discovered growing on the South Wellington coast so you know how tough and hardy it is to have survived there. Strong red/orange coloured leaves and stems. Tolerant of wind, salt and dry periods. Excellent ground cover that is happy to be trimmed. Evergreen.

 

CLICK TO ENLARGE

aka Coprosma

Native. A tough little native plant that is a useful ground-cover for large areas or difficult sites. Dainty dark green foliage, inconspicuous flowers that are sometimes followed by little blue berries. Hardy and easy to grow. Evergreen.

 

CLICK TO ENLARGE

aka Star Jasmine

In my opinion one of the best evergreen climbers available to gardeners. Leathery glossy green leaves that have tones of red in winter and myriads of little white star shaped flowers in summer. Wonderfully fragrant. Easy to grow. Can be used as a sprawling ground-cover too.