Name: The Plant Company
Address: 284 Meeanee Road, Meeanee, Napier, 4112, New Zealand
Telephone: 0800 843 752
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azaleas and gardenias

If you’re searching for azaleas and gardenias in New Zealand, you’re in the right place. These classic shrubs offer a perfect blend of vibrant blooms, fragrance, and evergreen foliage—making them ideal choices for ornamenting garden beds, borders, and containers. Azaleas and gardenias both thrive in our temperate climate, and with the right care, will reward you with seasons of colour and scent. Below, we’ll cover why azaleas and gardenias are so desirable, planting tips, and a selection of popular cultivars available in our nursery.

Azalea Autumn Starlite (Autumn Starlite Azalea)

Azalea Autumn Starlite is grown for its lovely form and profuse flowering in spring and autumn. This hardy, evergreen shrub produces masses of large and showy, white flowers with pink speckles and stripes as it grows to 1 m tall and 1.2 m wide. Azalea Autumn Starlite is a great choice for adding to a mixed or border planting, planting around outdoor living areas such as pool and barbecue area, including in cottage gardens, or using anywhere a stunning plant is required.

Buy Azalea Autumn Starlite (Autumn Starlite Azalea)

From $26.93

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate

Plant type: Shrubs

Height: 1.00 m

Spread: 1.20 m

Flowering time: Spring, Winter

Tolerances: Hardy

Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Pool areas

Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Cottage, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Rock

Azalea Gardenia Supreme

Azalea Gardenia Supreme is a popular variety due to its lovely form and profuse flowering through winter and spring. This hardy, evergreen shrub produces masses of large and showy, lightly scented, semi-double, pure white flowers. It typically grows to 75 cm tall and the same wide. Azalea Gardenia Supreme is a great choice for adding to a mixed or border planting, planting around outdoor living areas such as pool and barbecue area, including in white or cottage gardens, or using anywhere a stunning plant is required.

Buy Azalea Gardenia Supreme

From $26.93

Suited to regions: All regions

Plant type: Shrubs

Height: 75 cm

Spread: 75 cm

Flowering time: Spring, Winter

Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Pool areas

Garden styles: Alpine, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Cottage, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Rock, White

Why Choose Azaleas and Gardenias?

Azaleas and gardenias bring distinct beauty and appeal to any garden. Azaleas are prized for their dazzling array of colours and their ability to fill shady corners with cheerful blooms. Gardenias, on the other hand, enchant with glossy green leaves and intoxicatingly fragrant white flowers. Together, these shrubs create a striking contrast and can be used to build layered borders, feature planting, or anchor formal garden designs.

Top Azalea Varieties

For gardeners seeking azaleas with outstanding performance and colour, our range includes some standouts:

Azalea Gardenia Supreme: This popular variety offers lush, creamy-white flowers and a compact, tidy form perfect for low hedging or pots.
Azalea Autumn Starlite (Autumn Starlite Azalea): Known for its prolific blooming, this cultivar produces sparkling white flowers, ideal for brightening semi-shaded spots.
Azalea Autumn Lily (Autumn Lily Azalea): With large white blooms and a robust growth habit, it suits both formal and naturalistic garden plans.
Azalea Red Poppy: Add a bold pop of red with this striking azalea, perfect for creating colour contrast in mixed borders.

Gardenia Favourites

Among gardenias, the Gardenia Ocean Pearl stands out for its large, pearl-white flowers and lush evergreen foliage. The scent is unmistakable—sweet and rich—making it a top choice for fragrant gardens or as a specimen plant near walkways where you can enjoy its perfume.

Growing Tips for Azaleas and Gardenias

Azaleas and gardenias prefer slightly acidic soil, good drainage, and protection from harsh afternoon sun. Mulching helps conserve moisture and keep roots cool. Both benefit from regular feeding with a specialist shrub fertiliser and gentle pruning to maintain shape after flowering. Planting azaleas and gardenias together can extend flowering seasons and create continuous interest.

Landscape Uses and Design Ideas

Azaleas and gardenias work wonderfully as foundation shrubs, backdrop plantings, or statement features near entrances. Combine varieties such as Azalea Gardenia Supreme with Gardenia Ocean Pearl to create a harmonious blend of colour and fragrance. Their evergreen foliage ensures year-round structure, while their flowering cycles overlap beautifully for maximum visual effect.

Find Your Perfect Azaleas and Gardenias

Browse our selection to discover azaleas and gardenias suited to New Zealand gardens. Whether you’re designing a formal border with Azalea Red Poppy or adding fragrance with Gardenia Ocean Pearl, our expert team can help you choose the right shrubs for your garden goals.

Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.