Alpine Plants
About New Zealand Native Alpine Plants
New Zealand’s alpine plants are specially adapted to survive in harsh, high-altitude environments with extreme temperatures, strong winds, and intense sunlight. These plants often have compact forms, hairy or waxy leaves, and vibrant flowers. Notable species include Raoulia eximia (Vegetable Sheep), Celmisia spectabilis (Alpine Daisy), and Aciphylla aurea (Golden Speargrass). Alpine plants play a vital role in stabilizing fragile soils and supporting unique alpine ecosystems. They are also prized in rock gardens and alpine plantings for their resilience and striking appearance.
New Zealand's alpine plants have evolved in isolation, resulting in high levels of endemism - species found nowhere else on Earth. Many form compact cushion-like growths or low mats to withstand harsh conditions, while others have developed woolly coverings, waxy surfaces, or antifreeze compounds in their tissues.
Beyond their natural mountain habitats, many alpine species make excellent additions to rock gardens or container plantings, bringing a touch of New Zealand's high country to more accessible settings. Their compact growth habits and often striking flowers make them prized by plant enthusiasts worldwide.
Snow Tussock
Chionochloa flavicans
Graceful golden-toned tussock grass that provides structure and movement in alpine environments and gardens alike.
Learn more
Vegetable Sheep
Raoulia eximia
Remarkable cushion plant that resembles sheep from a distance, with densely packed woolly leaves forming a hard, compacted mound.
Learn more
Mountain Daisy
Brachyglottis lagopus
A small, woolly-leaved daisy from New Zealand's alpine regions, valued for its bright yellow flowers and resilience in rock gardens.
Learn moreCreating an Alpine Rock Garden
Many New Zealand alpine plants can thrive in well-designed rock gardens. Here are some tips for success:
- Drainage is crucial - Create raised beds with plenty of grit or small stones mixed into the soil
- Position matters - Most alpine plants need full sun, though some appreciate afternoon shade in hotter regions
- Use appropriate rocks - Larger rocks help create microclimates and provide shelter for delicate plants
- Consider scale - Group smaller species together and give larger ones space to develop
- Regional adaptations - In warmer regions, focus on lower-altitude alpine species that tolerate more heat
