Muehlenbeckia complexa (Wire Vine / Pohuehue) is a versatile, fast-growing New Zealand native climber or groundcover, valued for its dense, wiry stems and fine foliage. It’s ideal for erosion control, trellises, and naturalistic gardens.
 
Description
Evergreen climber or prostrate shrub
Thin, wiry stems with small, rounded green leaves
Produces tiny greenish flowers, followed by small black berries
Can grow up to 6–10 metres long when climbing, or spread widely as groundcover
Hardy, long-lived, and low-maintenance
 
Growing Conditions
Thrives in full sun to partial shade
Prefers well-drained soil, tolerates poor, sandy, or coastal soils
Moderate watering; drought-tolerant once established
Hardy to wind, frost, and coastal exposure
Low maintenance; requires occasional pruning to control spread
 
Uses in Landscaping
Ideal for climbing on trellises, fences, pergolas, and walls
Excellent as groundcover for slopes, banks, and erosion control
Adds texture and fine movement to landscapes
Suitable for coastal gardens, rockeries, and naturalistic plantings
Works well in mass plantings or mixed plantings for a layered effect