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best gardenia

Looking for the best gardenia to transform your garden or brighten up your patio? Gardenias are known for their intoxicating fragrance, glossy evergreen foliage, and creamy white blooms, making them a favourite in New Zealand gardens. Choosing the best gardenia depends on your climate, garden space, and personal preferences. Here, we explore top varieties and how each can suit different garden styles, helping you find the perfect fit for your next planting project.

An elegant Gardenia 'Professor Pucci' white flower.

Gardenia 'Professor Pucci'

5 from 4 customers

Gardenia 'Professor Pucci' is a stunning evergreen shrub known for its exceptionally large, fragrant white blooms and glossy green foliage. Flowering from late spring through summer, it brings elegance and sweet scent to NZ gardens.

From $18.95

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate
Plant type: Shrubs
Height: 1.50 m
Spread: 1.00 m
Flowering time: Spring, Summer
Garden uses: Containers, Hedging, Living areas, Pool areas
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Cottage, Formal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Rock, Tropical, White
Gardenia 'Golden Magic' plant featuring beautiful yellow flowers with dark green foliage.

Gardenia 'Golden Magic'

Gardenia 'Golden Magic' is a unique evergreen shrub that produces highly fragrant white flowers which gradually turn golden yellow as they age, offering a stunning two-tone display. Its glossy green foliage and long flowering season make it a standout in NZ gardens.

From $18.95

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate
Plant type: Shrubs
Height: 1.50 m
Spread: 1.50 m
Flowering time: Summer, Autumn
Garden uses: Containers, Hedging, Living areas, Pool areas
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Cottage, Formal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Rock, Tropical
Gardenia 'Fragrant Star' white flowers and dark green foliage.
Gardenia 'Fragrant Star'

Gardenia 'Fragrant Star' is a compact, evergreen shrub prized for its intensely perfumed, star-shaped white flowers and glossy green foliage...

From$18.95
Gardenia augusta 'Lace Lady' shrub with green foliage and masses of white flowers.
Gardenia 'Lace Lady'

Gardenia 'Lace Lady' is a compact, evergreen shrub prized for its delicately ruffled, highly fragrant white flowers and glossy dark green foliage...

From$18.95
Gardenia Frost Proof shrub with white flowers and dark green foliage.
Gardenia 'Frostproof'

Gardenia 'Frostproof' is a hardy, evergreen shrub renowned for its fragrant white flowers and glossy, dark green foliage. Reaching around 90–120 cm...

From$18.95
Gardenia 'Veitchii' white flower against dark green foliage.
Gardenia 'Veitchii'

Gardenia 'Veitchii' is a classic evergreen shrub admired for its intensely fragrant creamy white flowers and glossy dark green foliage. This elegant...

From$18.95
Gardenia augusta 'True Love' white flower with mid-green foliage.
Gardenia 'True Love'

Gardenia 'True Love' is a compact, evergreen shrub reaching around 60–90 cm tall and wide, perfect for adding fragrance and lush foliage to NZ...

From$18.95
Gardenia 'Buttons' small, white flowers and dark green foliage.
Gardenia 'Buttons'

Gardenia 'Buttons' (Miniature Gardenia) is a charming compact evergreen shrub admired for its intensely fragrant creamy white flowers and glossy dark...

From$18.95
Gardenia florida spectacular white flower amidst dark green foliage.
Gardenia 'Florida'

Gardenia florida is a compact, evergreen shrub renowned for its glossy, green foliage and richly fragrant, white blooms that appear from late spring...

From$18.95
A Gardenia radicans shrub looking amazing with lush foliage and white flowers.
Gardenia radicans

Gardenia radicans is a compact, low-growing shrub prized for its glossy green foliage and intensely fragrant white flowers. Blooming from late spring...

From$16.95
azalea-gardenia-supreme-
Azalea 'Gardenia Supreme'

Azalea 'Gardenia Supreme' is a stunning evergreen azalea admired for its large elegant blooms and compact rounded growth habit. Flowering generously...

From$15.95
phlebodium-blue-star-
Phlebodium aureum Blue Star (Blue Star Fern)

The Blue Star Fern features wavy leaves that are a blue-green colour. This popular indoor plant grows as a clump to about 30 cm tall and the same...

From$38.57
Buxus harlandii shrub with dense, green foliage.
Buxus harlandii

Buxus harlandii grows to about 1 m tall and the same wide with charming, bright green leaves. Best results with this evergreen shrub are achieved...

From$16.95
Carex dissita (Purei) plant growing in a native garden.
Carex dissita (Purei)

Carex dissita, commonly known as Purei or Forest Sedge, features arching, mid-green leaves that radiate from a central clump. It typically grows to...

From$12.95
curio-herreanus-
Curio herreanus (String Of Watermelons)

Commonly known as String of Watermelons, this is a succulent grown for its interesting, ball-like foliage. It produces masses of dark green...

From$24.95
Phormium tenax plant in a garden with green foliage.
Phormium tenax

Phormium tenax, commonly known as the NZ flax or Harakeke, is a flax plant that produces erect, green, sword-like leaves. Stems rise above the...

From$7.50
rhipsalis-cereuscula-3
Rhipsalis cereuscula (Coral Cactus)

Commonly known as the Coral Cactus, this is a succulent grown for its slender and interesting stems. Masses of the dark green, thread-like stems are...

From$27.53
Ophiopogon japonicus nana (dwarf Mondo grass) growing between paving stones.
Ophiopogon japonicus Nana

Ophiopogon japonicus 'Nana' is a dwarf or mini Mondo Grass grown for its delicate, dark green foliage. Flower spikes are borne in summer and bear...

From$9.95
aloe-barberae-
Aloidendron barberae (Tree Aloe)

Commonly known as Tree Aloe, this is a large variety of Aloe that can reach 15 m tall and 3 m wide. This impressive tree forms a rounded crown of...

From$57.89
Carex 'Frosted Curls' plants with elegant green foliage growing in a pot with other plants.
Carex Frosted Curls

Carex Frosted Curls is an ornamental grass with slender, hair-like, iridescent foliage that shimmers in light breezes. It typically grows to 30 cm...

From$11.50
Ophiopogon planiscapus nigrescens (Black Mondo) plants with lush, black foliage.
Ophiopogon japonicus nigrescens

Ophiopogon japonicus nigrescens, commonly known as Black Mondo Grass, is a clump-forming plant with fine, near black foliage. The foliage is...

From$9.95
Ophiopogon japonicus Silver Mist grass in a garden.
Ophiopogon 'Silver Mist' (Silver Mondo Grass)

Ophiopogon 'Silver Mist' is a dwarf silver Mondo Grass, and features fine, grass-like foliage that is variegated dark green and white. It typically...

From$6.95
Dactylis glomerata plant with a cat.
Dactylis glomerata (Cat Grass)

Dactylis glomerata, commonly known as Cat Grass or Catnip Grass, is a popular grass that is loved by cats. It features flowing, green foliage held as...

From$22.01
fertiliser-for-acid-loving-plants-
Fertiliser for acid loving plants (Acid Fertiliser)

Using fertiliser for acid loving plants is important for plants such as Camellias, Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Daphne’s, Gardenia’s, and Hydrangea’s who...

From$8.64
Orange 'Best Seedless' orange fruit with orange flesh.
Orange 'Best Seedless'

The ‘Best Seedless’ Orange is a superb variety prized for its deliciously sweet, seedless fruit and easy-to-peel skin. Perfect for New Zealand...

From$34.95
liquid-fertiliser-
Wuxal Super (Liquid Fertiliser)

Wuxal Super is the elite when it comes to feeding plants either through foliar applications or via the irrigation water. This product is used by...

From$142.80
vegetable-plant-fertiliser-
Vegetable Fertiliser (Vegetable Fertiliser)

Vegetable plants respond exceptionally well to The Plant Company’s vegetable fertiliser with better quality produce, higher yields, and a much...

From$13.40
The best lawn fertiliser in NZ with moss killer.
Lawn Fertiliser

Achieve a vibrant, healthy lawn with our premium Lawn Fertiliser, specially formulated for New Zealand conditions. This fertiliser not only...

From$5.76
palm-tree-fertiliser-1
Palm Tree Fertiliser (Palm Tree Fertiliser)

Choosing the correct Palm tree fertiliser is essential for producing better quality foliage, stronger fronds, and a much healthier and brighter...

From$13.40
lawnpro-protect-
Lawn Pro Protect

This granulated product is used to control and protect against insect pests in lawn and soil. It will provide long-term control of insect grubs...

From$152.32
bulb-plant-fertiliser-
Fertiliser For Bulbs (Fertiliser For Bulbs)

From$13.40
gardenia-grandiflora-star-
Gardenia 'Grandiflora Star'

Gardenia 'Grandiflora Star' is a stunning evergreen shrub admired for its large intensely fragrant white flowers and glossy dark green foliage. This...

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Gardenia 'Professor Pucci'

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Gardenia, or related Categories - Groundcover Plants, and Evergreen Shrubs.

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Why Gardenias Are Garden Favourites

Gardenias offer more than just beautiful flowers and fragrance. These shrubs work wonderfully in borders, pots, or as feature plants near entrances. Their evergreen leaves provide year-round structure, while their blooms add visual interest and classic scent in late spring and summer. If you’re after a shrub that combines beauty and function, gardenia is among the best choices.

Top Picks for the Best Gardenia Varieties

Not all gardenias are created equal. Here are some of the top varieties that New Zealand gardeners love, each with its unique strengths:

Gardenia Tahiti

A standout variety, Gardenia Tahiti is revered for its large double blooms and particularly strong scent. It thrives in well-drained soil and is tougher than many other gardenias when it comes to cooler climates.

Gardenia Frostproof

If you’re in a region prone to late frosts, Gardenia Frostproof might be your best gardenia option. It’s specially bred to withstand colder temperatures and still produce plenty of fragrant, snow-white flowers on compact plants.

Gardenia Golden Magic

The blooms of Gardenia Golden Magic open as pure white and slowly age to a soft golden hue, giving your garden a dynamic display. The plant forms a neat, bushy habit, perfect for pots or low hedges.

Gardenia Lace Lady

Looking for a delicate look? Gardenia Lace Lady features exquisite, lacy double flowers and compact growth, making it ideal for small spaces or container gardening.

Gardenia Professor Pucci

For an absolute showstopper, consider Gardenia Professor Pucci. It offers large, highly fragrant flowers and thrives in the right spot, quickly becoming a standout specimen in any garden.

Tips for Growing the Best Gardenia Bush

To get the most from your plant, choose a sheltered spot with morning sun or dappled shade, and rich, acidic soil. Protect your gardenia from harsh winds and feed regularly in spring and summer with a fertiliser formulated for acid-loving plants. Regular watering (while avoiding soggy soil) encourages healthy roots and optimal blooming.

Whether you’re after the lush blooms of Gardenia Tahiti, the cold hardiness of Gardenia Frostproof, or the changing hues of Gardenia Golden Magic, exploring these choices ensures you’ll find the best gardenia for your space. With expert care, your gardenia will reward you with years of scent and beauty.

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.

Illustration of plant leaves.
You’ve probably heard of our garden favourites like Gardenia 'Veitchii' and Alcantarea imperialis 'Rubra', but did you know we also grow hidden gems like Brunfelsia 'White Caps', Cercis canadensis 'Hearts of Gold', and Hibiscus 'Red Heart'?
–The Plant Company

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