Native groundcover plants to boost your garden

Check out these four landscaping heroes – groundcover plants that can fill gaps, add texture, suppress weeds, help with soil erosion and are great in tricky areas. Use these native groundcover plants in rockeries, to underplant, fill gaps between pavers and more. They bloom throughout spring, summer and even into autumn, plus feature bright berries and wildlife-attracting fruit.

At a glance: What are some good New Zealand native groundcover plants?

• Creeping pōhuehue
• Creeping fuchsia
• Pānakenake
• Leptinella ‘Platts Black’

Creeping pōhuehue (Muehlenbeckia axillaris)

This low-growing variety of muehlenbeckia can grow 1-2m wide and up to 10cm high, forming a wiry mat. It’s a great option for erosion control, as the stems form roots when they touch the ground, binding the soil. It tolerates rocky, sandy and coastal conditions, and even strong winds. In summer, cream-coloured flowers appear, and female plants bear white fruit enjoyed by native wildlife.

Creeping fuchsia (Fuchsia procumbens)

The yellow and purple tubular flowers, with blue stamens, bloom from September to May, followed by red berries in winter. It makes an excellent groundcover, shading soil and reducing weed growth. It grows in northern regions, in coastal conditions and in salt marsh margins but is endangered in the wild. Best planted in a frost-free site, it can grow 1m wide and 20cm high.

Pānakenake (Lobelia angulata)

This native lobelia loves moist conditions but can be grown in full sun or part shade, between pavers or as a no-mow lawn alternative. While only growing a few centimetres in height, this landscaping hero spreads to about 1m, forming a dense green cushion of leaves. It has a display of white star-shaped flowers from spring to autumn, followed by edible berries.

Leptinella ‘Platts Black’ (Leptinella squalida)

With fern-like leaves, striking bronze and charcoal colour, this perennial herb provides year-round interest and tiny honey-scented button daisies from spring until summer. It’s ideal for underplanting and in rockeries, but can also be used as a lawn substitute, as it tolerates some foot traffic. It grows up to 40cm wide and 2cm high and prefers moist, well-draining soil.

Keep in mind…

Take care when selecting your plants, as some can be poisonous to children and pets, and check their suitability for your area, as some may be classified as weeds in certain regions.

Want more ideas to plant a productive patch?

Check out our article on how to create an eco-friendly garden.

Photo credit: Adobe Stock.