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Native Ground Cover Plants of New Zealand

Introduction

Overview

New Zealand native ground covers are diverse, hardy plants that form low-growing mats and carpets, perfect for stabilizing soil, covering difficult areas, and creating attractive underplantings. These resilient species include Acaena species (Bidibidi), Fuchsia procumbens (Creeping Fuchsia), and Leptinella species, many of which produce distinctive flowers, fruits, or seasonal colour changes. Native ground covers are invaluable for erosion control, wildlife habitat, and low-maintenance landscaping in challenging sites where traditional lawn struggles to thrive.

Bidibidi (Acaena anserinifolia)

Buzzy Bidibidi

Acaena anserinifolia

Concise overview of Bidibidi, a resilient New Zealand native suited to gardens and restoration.

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Acaena Anserinifolia

Bidibidi

Acaena anserinifolia

Concise overview of Bidibidi, a resilient New Zealand native suited to gardens and restoration - Bidibidi profile.

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Abrotanella Pusilla

Small Cushion Daisy

Abrotanella pusilla

Concise overview of Cushion Daisy, a resilient New Zealand native suited to gardens and restoration.

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Abrotanella Pusilla

Fertile Cushion Daisy

Abrotanella pusilla

Concise overview of Fertile Cushion Daisy, a resilient New Zealand native suited to gardens and restoration.

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Small Cushion Daisy (Abrotanella pusilla)

Tiny Cushion Daisy

Abrotanella pusilla

Concise overview of Small Cushion Daisy, a resilient New Zealand native suited to gardens and restoration.

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Small-leaved Bidibidi (Acaena microphylla)

Small-Leaved Bidibidi

Acaena microphylla

A hardy native ground cover renowned for its characteristic reddish burrs and dense mat-forming growth habit.

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Red Bidibidi (Acaena novae-zelandiae)

Red Bidibidi

Acaena novae-zelandiae

A vigorous, mat-forming ground cover with reddish-brown foliage and distinctive spiny burrs.

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Cotula (Leptinella squalida)

Cotula

Leptinella squalida

A low-growing, fern-like ground cover that forms a dense, green carpet, often used as a lawn substitute.

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Creeping Pōhuehue (Muehlenbeckia axillaris)

Creeping Pōhuehue

Muehlenbeckia axillaris

A dense, wiry ground cover with small, round leaves, excellent for covering banks and trailing over walls.

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White Star Creeper (Lobelia angulata)

White Star Creeper

Lobelia angulata

A delicate, mat-forming ground cover with small white star-shaped flowers and tiny rounded leaves.

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Bower Spinach

Bower Spinach

Tetragonia implexicoma

Bower Spinach is a native New Zealand plant with notable features; well suited to New Zealand plantings.

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