Red foliage brings a bold, eye-catching contrast to the green-dominated palette of most planting schemes. In landscape design, red-leaved plants are used to create focal points, add seasonal interest, and signal transitions between spaces. In New Zealand, a diverse range of native and exotic species can deliver rich burgundy, copper, or crimson tones—whether through new growth flushes, autumn colour, or year-round pigmentation.

But choosing the right red foliage plant isn’t simply a matter of colour. Maintenance requirements, climate suitability, growth habit, and cultural context all play a role. This article explores a selection of red-leaved plants suited to New Zealand landscapes and offers guidance on how to integrate them meaningfully into design.

Blaze™ Dianella tasmanica ‘NPW2’

BLAZE™ Dianella is a compact, strappy-leaf plant renowned for its deep purple to red-toned foliage, particularly prominent during cooler months. Reaching approximately 40 cm in height and width, it serves as an excellent low-maintenance alternative to cordylines and phormiums. This variety thrives in full sun to heavy shade and adapts well to a range of soil types, from sandy to clay, provided they are well-drained. Its resilience to heat, drought, and frost makes it ideal for mass/mixed plantings, roadside verges, and feature gardens across New Zealand.

https://ozbreed.co.nz/plant-ranges/strappy-leaf-plants/blaze-dianella/

Sweet Mist™ Phormium tenax ‘PHOS2’ PVR

Sweet Mist™ Phormium is an ultra-compact New Zealand flax cultivar, distinguished by its striking bronze foliage that offers year-round colour contrast. Growing to about 40 cm in both height and width, it’s well-suited for mass plantings, low borders, and container gardens. This variety performs best in full sun to partial shade and is tolerant of frost and moderate drought conditions. Its compact form and hardiness make it a versatile choice for various landscape applications throughout New Zealand.

https://ozbreed.co.nz/plant-ranges/strappy-leaf-plants/sweet-mist-phormium/

Blush™ Nandina domestica ‘AKA’ PVR

Blush™ Nandina is a medium-sized dwarf shrub that showcases vibrant red new growth in spring and autumn, transitioning to a vivid red hue across all foliage during winter. Maintaining a compact form of approximately 60–70 cm in height and width, it’s ideal for low hedges, borders, or as a feature plant. This cultivar thrives in full sun to moderate shade and is adaptable to a variety of soil types, including free-draining and heavy clay soils. Its non-invasive nature and extended red foliage display make it a valuable addition to New Zealand landscapes.

https://ozbreed.co.nz/plant-ranges/shrubs-and-ground-covers/blush-nandina/

Obsession™ Nandina domestica ‘SEIKA’ PVR

Obsession™ Nandina is an enhanced selection of the popular dwarf Nandina ‘Gulf Stream’, distinguished by its vibrant red new growth that appears in spring, summer, and autumn, with a full flush of red foliage in winter. The cultivar name ‘SEIKA’, meaning ‘sacred fire’ in Japanese, aptly reflects its fiery appearance. This compact, evergreen shrub reaches approximately 60–70 cm in both height and width, making it ideal for low hedges, borders, or as a feature plant. Obsession™ Nandina thrives in full sun to moderate shade and is tolerant of cold, drought, and well-drained soils. Minimal maintenance is required, with pruning needed only every 2–3 years if desired. Its adaptability and striking year-round colour make it a valuable addition to New Zealand landscapes.

https://ozbreed.co.nz/plant-ranges/shrubs-and-ground-covers/obsession-nandina/

Conclusion

Flowers are just one way to bring colour to planting schemes. Red foliage can add drama, rhythm, and contrast to even the most restrained planting palette—but it’s most effective when used with purpose. Whether you’re after seasonal colour bursts or enduring tones that anchor a composition, the key is to choose plants that thrive in the local conditions and contribute more than just visual appeal. Choosing the right high-performing plant can allow you to stack functions on top of its aesthetics; including biodiversity support, erosion control, lowering maintenance and much more.

So here’s the question:
What role do you want red foliage to play in your landscape—and which plant will best deliver that outcome?