New Zealand plants covered

A new book on how to make the best use of New Zealand native ground cover plants in gardens of all sizes has been published by Canterbury University Press (CUP).

New Zealand Native Ground Cover Plants: A practical guide for gardeners and landscapers, is aimed at helping gardeners and landscaping professionals to select and care for native ground cover plants in order to create low-maintenance and sustainable gardens.

Authors Lawrie Metcalf and Roy Edwards say ground cover planting is most successful and satisfying when thoughtfully planned, with plants chosen to fit the design objectives and scale of the area to be planted. Hasty ill-informed choices aimed solely at easy care can result in gardens that need to be removed a few years later because the area has become overgrown or plants are unsuitable for the site.

“People will be able to plan, propagate plants and prepare areas to successfully establish and maintain New Zealand ground cover plants,” says Mr Edwards.

“The book also covers what a ground cover plant is and tips for designing your garden. There is no other book on this topic and we hope that it encourages people to grow New Zealand native plants in their gardens,” he says.

The book suggests suitable ground cover plants, based not only on the species but also on the continuing development of the range of hybrids and cultivars that are now available to gardeners.

“We hope that this book will provide guidance on these aspects of gardening with New Zealand ground cover plants,” says Mr Metcalf. 

The book contains more than 100 colour photographs that will help with plant selection.

About the authors:

Lawrie Metcalf is one of New Zealand’s most well-known and trusted authors writing about New Zealand native flora, with more than 11 popular titles published, including photographic and identification guides, and books on the cultivation and propagation of native plants.

Roy Edwards is a lecturer in horticulture at Lincoln University and has extensive experience in plant use and selection. He has written guides to Lincoln University’s grounds and has contributed to Garden Design: A New Zealand guide, and Going Native: Making use of New Zealand native plants (both published by Canterbury University Press).

New Zealand Native Ground Cover Plants: A practical guide for gardeners and landscapers by Lawrie Metcalf and Roy Edwards, published by Canterbury University Press, RRP $34.99, ISBN 978-1-927145-61-6.